Congratulations To Anna Netrebko And Yusif Eyvazov On Their Marriage

Russian soprano Anna Netrebko married Azerbaijani tenor Yusif Eyvazov at the Palais Coburg in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. Best wishes to the happy couple!

Renata Tebaldi Celebrated By Dolce&Gabbana Windows In Milan

"From 1st to 15th December the windows of the Via della Spiga 2 boutique are transformed into an elegant proscenium, paying homage to the great Italian soprano Renata Tebaldi, opera singer among the most popular and famous of all time for her unforgettable performances of Verdi and Puccini operas. The exhibit showcases some of the wonderful costumes the artist has worn in her long and acclaimed career, and kindly provided by the Renata Tebaldi Museum, images of the actress on the stage or in real life moments, and also original elements from the sets of historical works carried out at Teatro alla Scala. Objects, furniture and magnificent costumes, including the long turquoise dress of Aida and the velvet one of Tosca, give you the opportunity to relive the beauty and charm of the wonderful works of Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. A blend of art, elegance and refinement on the occasion of the Premiere of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan." [Source] See more photos after the jump.

Jeopardy! Goes To The Metropolitan Opera For Costumes Category

Playing Henry VIII in the costume department for a behind-the-scenes video of Alex Trebek for Jeopardy!.

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek dressed as Méphistophélès in the MET costume department.

Contestants looked stunned trying to answer opera costume questions on Jeopardy!

Warner Classics Capitalizes On Natalie Dessay Discography

As Natalie Dessay makes the decision to exit the opera stage forever, her record label searches the archives to release a compilation pulled from her career over the last 15 years of singing Bach, Händel, Rameau, and Monteverdi with Emmanuelle Haïm and William Christie. The 2-CD set also comes with a DVD featuring Ms. Dessay in Händel's Alcina. The release is set for November 6. You can pre-order your copy by clicking here. See the complete track list after the jump.

Sabine Devieilhe Follows The Love Mozart Had For Weber Sisters

Mozart was in love with three sisters of the Weber family: Josepha, Aloysia and Konstanze. He wrote music for all of the muses (and their high tessituras) during the last 14 years of his life. This new recording, Sabine Devieilhe's second solo disc for Erato, features conductor Raphaël Pichon and Pygmalion creating a journey of Mozart's amorous awaking for these women as told through music that is bold, dangerous, naive and tormented. Some of the featured tracks include: "Der Hölle Rache" from Die Zauberflöte; "Non so d'onde viene" K.294; "Io non chiedo, eterni Dei" K.316; "Nehmt meinen Dank" KV 483; "Ah, vous dirais-je maman"; and more. Due out November 6, you can pre-order this limited edition disc by clicking here. Watch a video of the recording session after the jump.

Anna Netrebko And Yusif Eyvazov Perform Igor Krutoy In Sochi

Hip Opera Stars: Yusif Eyvazov and Anna Netrebko during rehearsals in Sochi, Russia, for "New Wave."

Soprano Anna Netrebko, currently singing Leonora in Verdi's Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera, was joined by her fiancé Yusif Eyvazov in singing music of Igor Krutoy a the opening of the popular singing competition known as "New Wave" in Sochi, Russia. The October 5 event drew spectators like the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedeva and wife Svetlana, singer Philipp Kirkorov, singer Joseph Kobzon, actor Vladimir Vinokur, singer Lev Leshchenko, and more. This new musical project is based on poems of Lilia Vinogradova set to music of Igor Krutoy. The conductor for the evening was Nikita Mikhalkov. Ms. Netrebko has previously discussed the duets album she is recording with her fiancé of the Krutoy music. She has stated in an interview she is not interested in doing crossover music, but the lyrical songs of Igor Krutoy are just too beautiful not to sing. [Source] More photos, and a couple videos from the concert, after the jump.

Music Lovers: The happy couple backstage after singing Igor Krustoy in Sochi, Russia.

Plácido Domingo Surrounded By Yoncheva, Peretyatko, Yende At MET

Tenor Plácido Domingo backstage at the Metropolitan Opera following a performance of Verdi's Otello, a role he has sung over 225 times, with sopranos (left to right) Sonya Yoncheva, Olga Peretyatko and Pretty Yende.

Maria Luigia Borsi Interviewed During "La Bohème" At Atlanta Opera

A portrait of Maria Luigia Borsi by Brad Repp

"The masterpiece by Puccini introduces us to Mimì and Rodolfo, young lovers living in Paris in the nineteenth century. Their group of bohemians (poets, painters, philosophers) traverses the emotional landscapes of love, poverty and ultimately, loss. This production by General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun will bring a grand cinematic approach to one of the greatest operas of all time. Italian soprano Maria Luigia Borsi portrays Mimì. Tenor (and fellow Italy native) Gianluca Terranova plays her lover, Rodolfo. American soprano Leah Partridge sings the role of Musetta and baritone Trevor Scheunemann will portray Marcello. Theo Hoffman sings the role of Shaunard. Arthur Fagen, Carl & Sally Gable Music Director of the Atlanta Opera, will conduct." [Source] For ticket information, visit the Atlanta Opera website. Listen to the interview with Maria Luigia Borsi by clicking here. Hear the soprano sing "Donde lieta usci," from Act III of La Bohème, after the jump.

Schubert "Die Forelle" Used To Sell Axe Dry Spray Antiperspirant

Nothing Fishy Here: Ad man promotes the new product from Axe.

The latest product from Axe, White Label Dry Spray Antiperspirant, features the music of Franz Schubert's famous lied "Die Forelle" in the commercial promoting the product. "Introducing the first ever dry spray antiperspirant line from Axe® -- an entirely new way from Axe® to stay dry. Applied to the underarms, this revolutionary new product was specially designed to go on instantly dry with no visible residue, keeping you fresh and protected from sweat for 48 hours. Featuring a cool rush of grapefruit, lavender, cedarwood and praline notes, the Axe White Label Night dry spray will keep you immaculately fresh so you feel your finest." [Source] Watch the commercial for Axe, and hear Renée Fleming sing "Die Forelle," after the jump.

Mary Lambert Gets Wagnerian In Her "Secrets" Music Video

Wagnerian Tribute: Mary Lambert in her music video for "Secrets"

Seattle-based singer Mary Lambert released her debut album Heart on My Sleeve in October 2014. Featured on the album was the single "Secrets," which peaked at number one on U.S. Dance charts. She is a declared Christian and out lesbian. Often described as a mix of Adele, Tori Amos and James Blake, the singer often writes about her own personal experiences of early childhood sexual abuse, body image, bipolar disorder, and her sexuality. She taught herself how to play piano and write songs at age 6. She is originally from Everett, Washington, where she attended Mariner High School between 2003 and 2007. Her mother is a recording artist. Lambert moved to Seattle, Washington, to study at Cornish College of the Arts where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Composition. In the music video for "Secrets," you see a clip of Mary Lambert assuming the role of a Valkyrie from a Wagner opera. Watch the video, after the jump. [Source]

Natalie Dessay Claims No Opera Roles Left For Her To Sing Onstage

Dynamic Duo: Dessay (left) with recital and recording partner
Philippe Cassard in a photo from their most recent release.

"French soprano Natalie Dessay gave a recent recital in London that one critic called 'sublime' and her latest CD of French art songs has been well received, but she says her fans will never see her again on the opera stage that made her famous. Dessay, the petite gamine of the French opera world, soared to fame as the mechanical doll Olympia in Offenbach's Tales of Hoffmann and scared the living daylights out of her male counterparts as the mad, knife-wielding Lucia in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. But at age 50, she says the opera is no longer for her. 'I have no roles anymore, I've done everything I could do and I don't want to repeat myself over and over,' Dessay told Reuters in an interview at London's Barbican....With opera behind her, Dessay is alternating song recitals, with piano accompanist Philippe Cassard, and tours with the French pop song and film composer Michel Legrand, but her real passion is for live theater. She recently starred in a French revival of the British playwright Howard Barker's dark, one-woman play Und, about a Jewish woman whose guest is overdue for tea, and who will not accept that the reason her house comes under a series of escalating malicious attacks is because the visitor is a German camp officer. She is looking for more such roles, but in the meantime she hopes her opera audiences will look out for her in the different venues where she will still be performing. 'It turns all the time around the same thing,' she said. 'How to make people travel with me, how to tell them stories in different ways.'" [Source]

Stephen Costello Leans On Family Member During Tough Times

Familial Lifeline: Stephen Costello (left) with his cousin
Brian Costello (Photo: Facebook)

"'Not trusting people, not believing you have anyone there to support you. I did have people, but I just didn’t know they were there.' One of the few people who knew the full story was Costello’s cousin Brian Costello. They grew up together in the working class suburb of Northeast Philadelphia. Brian’s dad Pat co-founded a boxing club for underprivileged teens from the neighborhood with their uncle, Tim, named the Jack Costello Boxing Club after their father, Costello and Brian’s grandfather. At the opening of the boxing club in 1996, Stephen sang the national anthem for the inaugural exhibition fight, in which Brian fought. They were 15. Born less than a month apart, Costello and Brian grew up together having sleepovers every weekend, watching horror movies, and eating pizza. Costello’s interest in music started in sixth grade; Brian played the saxophone and Costello “wanted to be like Brian,” so he took up the trumpet. Brian, sober since 2010, lives in their grandmother’s old house in the Tacony section of Philadelphia right down the street from the boxing club with his wife Nicole and two children. When Costello first decided to divorce he called Brian, who flew immediately to be with him in Chicago. In the midst of his Traviata cancellation crisis, Costello called Brian again, just after he had pulled out of the first performance, and the second one approaching. Brian told The Daily Beast, 'He called me and I could barely hear him. He had such a depressed tone. He felt like he let people down.' Brian told Costello he had to let go of everything that happened prior, and the stress of worrying about what people thought and how things looked. He came to join him in New York, and attended Costello’s second night of Traviata, Brian’s first opera at the Met, and the first opera he had seen Costello in. Brian gave Costello the 24-hour AA coin they had given him the day he left rehab. 'I told him what happened yesterday or last week

Philip Pierce Named New Director of Artistic Administration At FGO

Sunshine State-Bound: Philip Pierce gets new position

"Florida Grand Opera (FGO) is pleased to welcome Philip Pierce as Director of Artistic Administration. Mr. Pierce will be responsible for the overall supervision and logistics of the artistic department, including the casting process, rehearsal schedule, artistic budget, and contracting of artists, among other duties. In recent months, Mr. Pierce has transitioned actively from a solo career into the realm of artistic administration Through these experiences, he acquired a great understanding of the opera companies, agents, and singers. Most recently Mr. Pierce has served as the assistant to the Director of Opera at the Caramoor Music Festival in Katonah, NY. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and his Master of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory. 'Philip is very intelligent, highly organized, and passionate about opera and FGO,' says Susan T. Danis, General Director & CEO of Florida Grand Opera. 'We look forward to his arrival and welcoming him to the team!'" [Source]

Gheorghiu And Kaufmann At European Culture Awards In Dresden

Award-Winning Smiles: Gheorghiu and Kaufmann

"Thirteen individuals and organizations have been honored with the European Culture Award in Dresden. Awardees include former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and former VW supervisory chief Ferdinand Piech. The prizes were awarded at Dresden's Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) on Friday, with 25 years of Germany's reunification as its central theme. The ceremony looked back at special achievements before and after the historical event. The European Culture Award is given out to individuals and organizations who have contributed towards the idea of a unified Europe. Tenor Jonas Kaufmann and Romanian soprano singer Angela Gheorghiu were the two soloists honored this year. The organizers also recognized the contributions of actress Kathrin Sass, the British violinist Daniel Hope and a civil society intiative for the reconstruction of the Frauenkirche in Dresden. Former VW supervisory chief Ferdinand Piech and former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez , who worked towards Germany's reunification, won the prize of honor at Friday's event. The Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic, led by Kristjan Järvi and cellist Maximilian Hornung were honored in the emerging talents category. 22-year-old Iva Kovic, a Lebanese artist of Slovenian origin, was the inaugural winner of the new visual arts category. The European Culture Prizes were awarded for the first time in 1993 and carry no monetary compensation. Its organizers include the European Cultural Foundation and the Frauenkirche in Dresden." [Source]

Baritone Jarrett Ott Profiled For Opera Philadelphia "La Traviata"

Baritone Jarrett Ott (bottom) in Philadelphia, with current boyfriend Adam Franklin (top) who is the Artistic Administrator at The Santa Fe Opera, for performances of Verdi's La Traviata. (Photo: Facebook)

"No sooner than Opera Philadelphia scored a huge success last month with its queer-centric Andy: A Popera, in collaboration with FringeArts and the Bearded Ladies, comes the beginning of its season, its sparkling annual gala and the Oct. 2 start of La Traviata, the Verdi opera in three acts about fallen women and the men who love them. The antiquated notion of salvaging reputations (remember when celebrities, politicians and royalty could be shamed — ah, the past) is where we find the heart of La Traviata. Set at the mouth of 18th-century Paris and based on La Dame aux Camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, grand opera doesn’t come any grander or more traditional than this. 'The opera world is a gay man’s world,' Ott said, talking about the welcoming environment of the classical vocal stage. 'It’s never been frustrating, but rather comforting, to meet some of the warmest people.'.....'Getting to share the stage with this cast is pretty incredible,' Ott said. 'During this rehearsal process, I have had the wind knocked out of me several times listening to my colleagues. Philadelphia is in for an operatic treat with this gorgeous production all around.' When asked what is most testing about his role of Marchese, Ott was quick to joke, 'Going to the gym every day in order to be stripped down to shirtless in act two.'" [Source] Watch a video of rehearsal footage for La Traviata at Opera Philadelphia featuring Jarrett Ott, and a teaser clip for the production, after the jump.

Dominic Purcell Hears Operatic Overtones In Yoplait Whips Ad

"Australian actor Dominic Purcell stars in this Yoplait ad as 'A Man of Yogurt.' Sitting outside in a stylish suit, he describes in his deep, husky voice the experience he had with the Greek 100 Whips! Strawberry Cheesecake yogurt. He gets into detail about the texture, saying it's like "a little fluffy fluffy cloud" in his mouth. Now, cue the opera music as he eats more of the snack." [Source] Although the snippet is not from any particular composed opera, it sounds like something that might be heard in a duet from Lucia di Lammermoor. Watch the commercial after the jump.

OUT Magazine Features New 2016 Calendar Filled With Baritones

Vittorio Prato is one of the featured opera hunks in the 2016 calendar to raise money for fellow baritones.

"Each year, the Barihunks site surprises us with its dedication to opera singers with lower voices — as well as some musical theater notables (and a few non baritones for good measure). Their annual calendar features a selection of those same studs, and for its fifth edition, is no exception. All the singers included in the calendar are baritones or have lower voices — except for Eric Stoklossa, who is the first tenor featured in the calendar. Plus, four singers were photographed this past summer in the Loire Valley for an exclusive shoot, including Marco Vassalli and Malte Roesner (Pictured above). Proceeds from the charity calendar will be used to fund the creation of the Foundation for the Advancement of Baritones (F.A.B.), which will 'fund baritone and bass cash prizes at song competitions, commission music for baritones and basses, and be used to fund other projects featuring low male voices.'" [Source] You can buy the calendar here. See photos of featured baritones Marco Vassalli and Malte Roesner with (and without) shirts after the jump.

Luther College Produces Two Opera News Magazine Rising Stars

Cornfields To The Concrete Jungle: Andrew Stenson (far left) and Emily
Fons (second from right) both attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa,
and will be performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 
(Photo: James Salzano - Click image to enlarge)

"Talking about their experiences at Luther College and their path into professional singing careers, Luther alumni Andrew Stenson and Emily Fons will be presenting career talks at Luther in October. Stenson, class of 2008, will speak at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, and Fons, class of 2006, will speak at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. Both career talks will be held in the Noble Recital Hall of the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music on the Luther campus. Both events are open to the public with no charge for admission. Stenson is quickly becoming recognized as one of the United States' most exciting young tenors. A 2011 recipient of the Sara Tucker Study Grant from the Richard Tucker Foundation, he will make his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut, as well as debuts with Arizona Opera, Fort Worth Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic in the upcoming 2015-16 season. Stenson earned a master's degree in music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Fons, a mezzo-soprano, recently made her German debut at the International Händel Festspiele in Göttingen. A former member of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Fons has also appeared with the Michigan Opera Theatre, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Santa Fe Opera, and the Atlanta Opera. Fons earned a master's degree in music from Southern Illinois University. Both Stenson and Fons both have contracts this year with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, which is considered to be the best opera house in the world. Luther is home to one of the largest collegiate music programs in the nation, with six choirs, three orchestras, three bands, two jazz bands and nearly 1,000 student musicians. Luther students participate in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. More than 300 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music and performance." [Source] Watch a behind-the-scenes video of these young artists getting photographed for the most recent issue of Opera News, after the jump.

Opera In Australia Costing More Money While Audience Shrinks

Sinking Art: A promotional advertisement for Opera Australia's production of Madama Butterfly.

"The Federal Government pays an average of $60 for ticket-holder but opera is still losing both money and audiences. At least one company is on the verge of bankruptcy and opportunities for Australian artists are shrinking. The high level of subsidy is consistent with other major performing arts companies. Major dance companies are subsidised at a rate of $63 a ticket and orchestras even higher at $86 a ticket. But, unlike most other art forms, the subsidy is not delivering audiences to opera. The National Opera Review has found that despite increasing funding, Australia’s opera companies are facing reduced audiences, growing debt, and reduced artistic vibrancy. The high level of subsidy is consistent with other major performing arts companies. Major dance companies are subsidised at a rate of $63 a ticket and orchestras even higher at $86 a ticket. But, unlike most other art forms, the subsidy is not delivering audiences to opera. The National Opera Review has found that despite increasing funding, Australia’s opera companies are facing reduced audiences, growing debt, and reduced artistic vibrancy." [Source]

Dmitri Hvorostovsky Shown Love From Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

"Three months after announcing he had a brain tumor, and still in the midst of treatment, the cherished Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky returned to the Metropolitan Opera on Friday evening as the Count di Luna in Verdi’s Il Trovatore. An ovation greeted his first entrance, loud and long enough that he broke character to smile and pat his heart in appreciation. Three hours later, the curtain calls ended with the orchestra pelting Mr. Hvorostovsky with white roses, as his co-star, the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, appeared visibly moved." [Source] Watch a video of the curtain call, after the jump.

Susan Graham Sings For Pope Francis In New York Vespers Service

Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham sang "Laudate Dominum" from Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore for the Papal visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. See two clips of her performance, after the jump.

Opera Through Excited Young Eyes: Iain Reviews Turandot

First Listen: Christine Goerke As Turandot At The Metropolitan Opera

Christine Goerke as Turandot with Marcelo Álvarez as Calaf in the Franco Zeffirelli production of Turandot.

Puccini's Turandot opens this evening with soprano Christine Goerke making her role debut at the Metropolitan Opera. Watch a video of her singing an excerpt from "In questa reggia," after the jump.

Behind The Scenes Of The Metropolitan Opera Costume Department

Stars Arrive For Metropolitan Opera Season Opening Night

See more photos of celebrities arriving at last night's opening of The Metropolitan Opera season, after the jump.

Anna Netrebko And Yusif Eyvazov Cover OK! Magazine Russia

Anna Netrebko, in New York City for the debut of a new production of Verdi's Il Trovatore opening on September 25 at the Metropolitan Opera, graces the new Russian edition of OK!

Magazine with fiancé and tenor Yusif Eyvazov who will make his debut in Puccini's Turandot in November also at the MET. Inside the magazine, the interviewer asks questions regarding the soprano's weight; a one-time trip to the spa for a facial; her shopping habits; parenting a son with autism; wanting another child (perhaps a little sister for Tiago); the couple's meeting in Milan for the first time; details of the pre-nuptial contract; the plans for their upcoming wedding in Vienna scheduled for December 29; their first joint album together singing music of Igor Krutoy; and plans to return together for Manon Lescaut at the Bolshoi Theatre in 2016; and more. Read the full article by clicking here. See more pictures after the jump.

Warner Classics Marks 100th Birthday Of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

In honor of the late German soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's 100th birthday this year, Warner Music is releasing a deluxe edition box set of her complete recitals recorded between 1954-1974 with original cover art: "Die große Elisabeth Schwarzkopf schrieb nicht nur fast vier Jahrzehnte Gesangs- und Schallplattengeschichte. Sie war auch eine der ersten Sängerinnen überhaupt, die die Platte als eigenständiges künstlerisches Medium nutzten. Zusammen mit ihrem Ehe-mann, dem legendären EMI-Produzenten Walter Legge, konzipierte sie das Repertoire ihrer Schallplatten so akribisch wie Konzertprogramme. Zum 100. Geburtstag der Jahrhundert-Sängerin erscheinen diese Recitals nun erstmals in ursprünglicher Programmgestaltung und originalem LP-Artwork als Deluxe-Edition - remastert anhand der Originalbänder unter Leitung des Tonmeisters der Callas-Edition. Generationen von Musikliebhabern kennen Elisabeth Schwarzkopfs berühmte Aufnahmen, die sie bei ihrem Stammlabel EMI produzierte. Doch fast niemals waren die Originalprogramme der LP-Recitals auf CD erhältlich, da meist durch Füller erweitert. Bis jetzt! Zwischen 1952 und 1974 nahm die 2006 verstorbene Künstlerin eine Fülle von akribisch konzipierten Programmen auf – jedes einzelne ein diskografischer Meilenstein: Vertreten sind ihre berühmten Strauss-Orchesterlieder, Klavierlieder von Schubert, Schumann, Wolf und Strauss, dramaturgisch aufgebaute Programme großer Opernarien von Gluck über Mozart bis Wagner, einige wie die Brahms-Volkslieder oder Wolfs Italie-nisches Liederbuch interpretiert an der Seite des großen Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Besonderer Höhepunkt dieses Vermächtnisses, das mit einem Schubert-Album aus dem Jahre 1952 beginnt, ist der Live-Mitschnitt des legendären Konzerts zu Ehren von Gerald Moore in der Royal Festival Hall 1967 – mit Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau und Victoria de Los Angeles." [Source] See more about the Maria Callas box set released by Warner Classics last year by clicking here. Learn more about Elisabeth Schwarzkopf by clicking here and to pre-order the new box (set due for international release on November 13, 2015) click here. If you can't wait for the box set, perhaps this tasty morsel will whet your appetite. See details of the Warner Classics box set contents after the jump.

Nina Stemme Brings Hitchcock "Notorious" Film To Life As An Opera

Nina Stemme as Alicia Hauser, a role made famous by Ingrid Bergman in the original film version of 
Notorious, with Michael Weinius as Alex Sebastian in a scene from the Hans Gefors opera inspired by 
Hollywood that is now performing at The Göteborg Opera in Sweden. (Photo: Mats Bäcker)

Wagnerian soprano Nina Stemme sings the lead role of Alicia Hauser in the operatic interpretation of Alfred Hitchcock's 1946 film Notorious for The Göteborg Opera which began performances on September 19. Composer Hans Gefors and librettist Kerstin Perski were responsible for taking this film noir classic and bringing it to life as an opera. British stage director Keith Warner leads Ms. Stemme and an arresting group of artists including Katerina Karnéus, John Lundgren, and Michael Weinius, in a new production by set and costume designer David Fielding, lighting designer John Bishop and choreographer Michael Barry. Patrik Ringborg conducts all the performances that take place through November 1, 2015. Read more about the production details by clicking here and check out a Swedish article about the opera by clicking here. Watch more videos after the jump.

Sydney Opera House Serves As Inspiration For Miss Universe

Opera Sails: Not since the television show Dynasty
has the world seen power shoulders this dynamic.

"Dame Edna is as Australian as a jar of Vegemite - but would you want to replicate her style? The iconic figure is the inspiration behind a gravity-defying costume in the running to grace the stage at Donald Trump’s International Miss Universe Final. Giant cat-eye glasses, the sweeping sails of Sydney Opera House and tonnes of reef-inspired blue tulle make up the designs that best represent our country, as The Elucent Skincare National Costume Competition reveals its four finalists. The designs, which were unveiled on Sunrise on Monday, represent what it means to be Australian and will be worn by Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic. Previous years have seen the newly crowned Miss Universe Australia clad in earthy-toned outback themed designs, Crocodile Dundee couture and high-heeled woollen Ugg boots. This year has seen a step away from the sunburned country to the sea, as all four designers used Sydney Opera House as inspiration....The final design will be announced on Friday, October 5 on Sunrise. Monika Radulovic was crowned Miss Universe Australia in June this year. The brunette beauty fled war-torn Bosnia with her parents when she was just four years old. She went on to attain an honours graduate in psychology and hopes to bring light to Dr Charlie Teo's cure brain cancer foundation and ending world hunger through her ambassador role." [Source] See more designs after the jump.

Win Tickets To See Angela Gheorghiu Live In Australian Concert

Enter here for your chance to win tickets to Angela Gheorghiu's upcoming appearance in Australia (dinner included!). The press release and concert program can be seen after the jump.

A Change Of Color For The Venetian Moor In MET Opera "Otello"

The Moorish Chief by Eduard Charlemont (1878)

"At a recent dress rehearsal at the Metropolitan Opera, there was something missing when the Latvian tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko sang the title role of Verdi’s Otello: the stage makeup with names like Indian Red and Otello Brown that opera companies have used for more than a century to darken pale singers playing the part. 'The Met breaks tradition, and I will be white,' Mr. Antonenko shrugged as he was powdered in his dressing room. It was an offhand way of phrasing a seismic shift. That leading opera houses have continued to use blackface into the early 21st century, long after minstrel shows and similar performances have been rejected as racist, may be more surprising to many people than that the practice is now being ended by the Met, after 124 years, for the new production of Otello that will open its 2015-16 season on Monday, Sept. 21. The change comes in a year when the massacre of nine black parishioners at a church in Charleston, S.C., spurred a national discussion about racism and the power of symbols, and prompted South Carolina officials to remove the Confederate battle flag from the State House grounds after years of resistance. And it comes more than a generation after leading theater companies stopped 'blacking up' white actors to play Othello in Shakespeare’s play....Plácido Domingo, the pre-eminent Otello of the 1980s and ’90s, said in an interview that

Netrebko, Gelb, And Sher Discuss MET Season With New York Times

Mimi Lerner's Son And Grandson Featured Humans Of New York

A photography project started in 2010, titled Humans of New York, has grown to 14.6 million followers on Facebook and 3.7 million followers on Instagram. As random people are photographed in the city by Brandon Stanton, a short story or quote accompanies each image. This week features Dan Lerner playing ball with his son Julian. Dan's mother is the late opera singer Mimi Lerner. The mezzo-soprano passed away in 2007 from complications of a heart tumor. See the photos with captions, learn more about HONY, and read details of Mimi Lerner's career, after the jump.

Anna Moffo Box Set Is Best Thanksgiving Gift For Opera Fans

Fall Surprise: The late Anna Moffo will be celebrated
with new box set of RCA recordings

Special thanks to the blog oleconquistador for pointing out the newest box set release from Sony Classical: Anna Moffo - The Complete RCA Recital Recordings. Scheduled for an international release date of November 13, 2015, this 12-CD original jacket collection is welcome news for fans of the soprano. As oleconquistador outlines the tracklisting for each disc, there are some glaring omissions from her discography by the label. Most obvious is the complete Thais. Although controversial at the time, as many felt the soprano was past her prime, it is still a recording that should have been included here. Another rarity that has escaped inclusion is a disc featuring highlights of Halévy's La Juive featuring colleagues Richard Tucker and Martina Arroyo. Also missing from the collection are all of the Eurodisc recordings which fell under the Ariola label in Europe, which was an outlet of Bertelsmann. Ariola would go on to acquire RCA in 1983, and now all are owned by Sony. These included Die Schöne Galathée (composed by Suppé), Italian and French Opera Arias (conducted by Kurt Eichhorn), Toujours l'Amour (album of arias from famous operettas); Lucia di Lammermoor (her second recording of the work with conductor

Glamorous Beauty: Moffo on La Rondine LP cover

Carlo Felice Cillario); Die Csárdásfürstin (Kálmán); and Lieder Recital (featuring works of Shcubert, Schumann, and Brahms). Many of these were released on CD by the Japanese market in 2006 and 2007. Two LPs were recorded with the tenor Rudolph Schock: True Love (famous melodies of Porter, Kern, Rogers, Bernstein, and more) and Bist du's, lachendes Glück (duets from German operettas). Neither have made their way to CD, nor are included in the new box set. Although RCA/Eurodisc has in the past released the complete operas Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck), Carmen (Bizet), Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck), L'amore dei tre re (Montemezzi), Il Filosofo Di Campagna (Galuppi), Madama Butterfly (Puccini), La Rondine (Puccini),  Iphigenie in Aulis (Gluck),  La Bohème (Puccini), and La Traviata (Verdi), a remastering of the original tapes would have been welcome in this release. It should be noted her Luisa Miller, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Rigoletto recordings are remastered and will be available individually this fall.

Flirty Fun: Anna Moffo was known for her
smoky vocal and vivacious form 

The other missing studio items from the Sony collection include: Neapolitan Songs (with Radio-Orchester Stuttgart under conductor Bert Grund); Songs of her own composition (lyrics by Mario Lafranchi) with Billy Smith and his orchestra; La Serva Pedrona (opera by Pergolesi); Meine Stimme für Venedig (songs of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini, with Giorgio Favaretto at the piano); Sakura (the soprano sings two Japanese songs - "Karatachi no hana" and "Sakura" - recorded for RCA and printed exclusively in limited edition for Japan); and some miscellaneous Christmas items have been scattered among several labels ("Joy to the World"; "Ave Maria"; "Silent Night"; and "O Bambino"). A disc titled A Song For You was released by the record label Bridge and featured works recorded in studio (Tracks: "Vilja" from The Merry Widow; "The Song Of Long Ago" from The Merry Widow; "Oh, For The Life Of An Actress" from Die Fledermaus; "Mein Herr Marquis" from Die Fliedermaus; "Baskets Of Treasure" from A Night In Venice; "Wishing On A Waltz" from A Night In Venice; "Romance" from The Desert Song; "The Sabre Song" from The Desert Song; "Indian Love Call" from Rose marie (duet with Richard Fredricks; "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" from

Opera Seductress: Playing the part of Massenet's Thais

Roberta; "Let's Begin" from Roberta (duet with Stanley Grover); "Bill" from Show Boat; "Italian Street Song" from Naughty Marietta; "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess) that seems as though the contents could have been licensed for this occasion. One last rarity that is from an Ariola recording titled Peter Alexander präsentiert Walt Disney Welt that includes guest appearances by Anna Moffo alongside Mireille Mathieu, Wencke Myhre and Freddy Quinn. Perhaps a supplemental box set will be produced with all the missing content. Until then, the world can enjoy several newly mastered versions of classic recordings to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the legendary soprano's passing. Pre-order your copy of the box set by clicking here. Read a description of the limited edition box set, and see covers of the missing recordings, after the jump.

Six Generations Of Sopranos Preserve Grand Tradition Of Singing

Previously this blog discussed the importance of musical lineage and the art of carrying on operatic traditions. This transfer occurs with the passing of experience from conductors and composers on to singers through working relationships. But perhaps the most intimate form of sharing comes directly from a voice teacher. Throughout history singers have traditionally worked with teachers who had a good career themselves on the opera stage. The many upsides to such a relationship include a direct connection to the previous generation's style and musical

Pauline Viardot-García

Natalia Iretskaya

Lydia Lipkowska

knowledge that often times could be linked directly to a composer. A current example of this linked artistry begins over 100 years ago with a leading nineteenth-century French mezzo-soprano, pedagogue, and composer of Spanish descent named Pauline Viardot-García. After a long career on stage, she began teaching young singers. One of those pupils was the Russian soprano Natalia Iretskaya, who would in turn passed her vocal pedagogy down to a fellow country woman named Lydia Lipkowska. This Russian soprano had a career that spanned several decades beginning at the Mariinsky Theatre and eventually crossing the ocean to perform quite often in the United States (Boston, Chicago, New York). At the end of her career she began to teach voice lessons in Romania. It was here that she convinced a young singer named Virginia Zeani that she was not a mezzo-soprano, but rather a soprano. Madame Lipkowska coached her in the roles of Violetta, Mimi, Marguerite and Massenet’s Manon. Romanian dramatic-soprano

Virginia Zeani

Marilyn Mims

Virginia Mims

Virginia Zeani is legendary for a career rivaling Maria Callas and is still connected to the spotlight thanks to a close friendship with current diva Angela Gheorghiu. But it was her engagement at Indiana University's music school in 1980 that allowed her to pass on her talents to another generation of sopranos including Sylvia McNair, Angela Brown, Elizabeth Futral, and Ailyn Pérez. One particular student stands out in the history of her teaching: Marilyn Mims. As fifth generation in this line of skilled singing technique, Ms. Mims went on to win the 1986 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Soon after she made her professional opera debut and began a career filled with roles in La Traviata, Robert le Diable, Die Fledermaus, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, Rigoletto, Lucia di Lammermoor, Pagliacci and more. Her singing career was cut short after being diagnosed with endometriosis in 1995. She now teaches on the voice faculty at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. And now the world will soon have another soprano to sing the "Viardot-García technique": Virginia Mims. Yes, daughter to Marilyn, this young lady is emerging as a strong talent in several singing competitions. She will be carrying an artistic torch that is steeped in excellence. With more than a century's worth of technique and musical knowledge being passed down from one stupendous soprano after another, this 18-year old is inheritor to a true treasure. Read about all these extraordinary divas, as well as sample audio and video clips, after the jump.