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L_jonas-kaufmann-pagliacci-opera-detat-de-vienne-2025

Jonas Kaufmann: “I have no plans to start singing baritone roles now”

Tenor Jonas Kaufmann is currently singing the role of Canio in Pagliacci at the Vienna Opera. He is also singing Tonio's prologue, which is usually sung by a baritone. Should we see this as a career and repertoire development for the tenor? Not yet. The Vienna State Opera is currently reviving the Cavalleria rusticana / Pagliacci diptych in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's historic production. Although the production has been well known since its premiere 39 years ago, this revival is...

Published onthe 24 of January
L_opera-de-vienne-rentabilite-de-la-culture

The Vienna State Opera or the profitability of culture

Is culture profitable for public finances? According to the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, the public subsidies granted to the Vienna State Opera are fully offset by the tax and economic benefits generated by its activities. In view of inflation, however, Bogdan Roščić argues for an increase. Is culture a burden on public finances? At first glance, perhaps, but the financial balance sheet is more favourable when the economic spin-offs generated by cultural actors are included in...

Published onthe 14 of January
L_or-du-rhin_opera-de-paris_ludovic-tezier_iain-paterson-2025

Iain Paterson replaces Ludovic Tézier as Wotan in Das Rheingold at the Paris Opera

From 29 January, the Paris Opera is staging a new production of Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen. Ludovic Tézier was to have sung the role of Wotan for the first time, but has been forced to withdraw for health reasons. He will be replaced by the highly experienced Iain Paterson. This is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited productions of the new year: the Opéra de Paris is releasing a new Richard Wagner’s Ring des Nibelungen, directed by Calixto Bieito, with...

Published onthe 09 of January
L_palais-garnier

An “Anniversary Gala” celebrating 150 years of the Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier was inaugurated on 5 January 1875 in Paris, France. In 2025, the Opéra national de Paris will celebrate the 150th anniversary of this emblematic Parisian building with an Anniversary Gala on 24 January that will bring together the artists of the Opéra national de Paris. The gala will be broadcast on French television. In December 1858, Emperor Napoleon III decided to build a new opera house in Paris. A few years later, a young, almost unknown...

Published onthe 19 of December
L_festival-de-bayreuth-2026

Bayreuth Festival 2026: seven operas instead of eleven for the 150th anniversary

For its 150th anniversary in 2026, the Bayreuth Festival had planned to present eleven operas by Wagner. However, due to budget constraints, the festival has scaled back its ambitions and will finally settle for seven of the composer's works, including a new tetralogy. In 2026, the Bayreuth Festival will celebrate its 150th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Katharina Wagner has promised a programme that will include all ten of Richard Wagner's major operas (from The Flying...

Published onthe 07 of December
L_vaisseau-fantome_wagner_festival-opera-st-margarethen_2025

The Flying Dutchman for the impressive St. Margarethen Festival 2025

For its 2025 edition, the Steinbruch Opera Festival in Austria will be staging a new production of Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, starring Elisabeth Teige and George Gagnidze. Director Philipp M. Krenn intends to recreate a Norwegian fjord on the gigantic stage of the St. Margarethen quarries. The limestone blocks in the impressive quarry at St Margarethen in Austria have been quarried for almost 2,000 years – the Romans were already using them. In 1996, however, the site...

Published onthe 16 of November