Top article

Filter

Filter Reset

All articles

L_calderon

A conversation with Rani Calderon about his first composition: opera as a cathedral

Rani Calderon is known to us from his work as music director of the Opéra national de Lorraine as well as for his interpretations as a conductor, which we have often reviewed and praised. Few know however that today he is dedicating his time to a new activity: composition. While the prelude of his opera, based on Victor Hugo’s novel “Notre Dame de Paris” (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame”), which he builds in the manner of the gothic cathedrals, was...

Published onthe 27 of August
L_golda_schultz__c__gregor_r_hrig

A conversation with Golda Schultz

After singing at the Opernhaus Zürich (La Contessa in Le nozze di Figaro) and Bayerische Staatsoper (Liù in Turandot and a special concert with Thomas Hampson and Kirill Petrenko) in July, soprano Golda Schultz performed in Mahler's Second Symphony for the closing concert of the Verbier Festival, alongside with mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova, conductor Fabio Luisi and the Verbier Festival Orchestra. We met her between two rehearsals in Verbier to talk about her repertoire...

Published onthe 21 of August
L_karita-mattila-verbier-interview-eng

A conversation with Karita Mattila

For her first venue at the Verbier Festival, Karita Mattila sings a selection of melodies by Duparc, as well as chosen lieder by Brahms and Strauss, accompanied by Evgeny Kissin. The acclaimed pianist took the initiative to get in touch with the star soprano for their first collaboration. We met Karita Mattila in Verbier to talk about this highly anticipated concert, her latest and next opera debuts, Wagner, and social media. *** Opera Online: Why did you choose to perform Duparc,...

Published onthe 01 of August
L_jonas-soderman-bohlin-itw

5 Questions to Jonas Söderman Bohlin

Jonas Söderman Bohlin composed the music and co-wrote the libretto of Tristessa, a brand new opera premiered at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm last week. The work is based on The Passion of New Eve, a book written by Angela Carter in the late 70s. It tells the story of Evelyn, an aggressive man who will become a woman against his will through the action of a feminist cult. He worships Tristessa, a Golden Age movie star that will eventually share his destiny. We discussed...

Published onthe 11 of October
L_helmut-deutsch-interview2

An interview with Helmut Deutsch, pianist and accompanist

For a long time, accompanists, the artists who provide musical accompaniment to singers during recitals, have remained in the shadows (and in anonymity). For several years (or decades), the main role of these musicians has been more recognised, and recitals are increasingly true duets with the singer. Helmut Deutsch, pianist and musicologist, is one of these internationally respected accompanists. He plays on the most prestigious stages, having notably accompanied the baritone Hermann...

Published onthe 18 of September
L_william-christie

William Christie, the Sun King of Baroque Opera

Quite a daring choice for a young American musician in the 1970s to consider a career as a harpsichordist! Nevertheless, this was indeed the choice of William Christie, notably taught by Ralf Kirkpatrick and Kenneth Gilbert; but his true path lay elsewhere: the few recordings show a soloist who was much less talented than his compatriot Scott Ross or his protégé Christophe Rousset. The small ensemble that he created in 1979, Les Arts Florissants, was originally a profoundly...

Published onthe 09 of August