How A Photograph Gives Renée Fleming A Full-Circle Moment

This image of Renée Fleming was shot by photographer Matthew Rolston for Vanity Fair magazine in the early 1990s. What is the significance of this photo today? Read all about it after the jump.

Cast Finalized For Angela Gheorghiu "Werther" Debut In Vienna

Gheorghiu in Vienna rehearsal for Werther
(Phtoto: Facebook)

As Angela Gheorghiu prepares to take on the mezzo-soprano repertoire role of Charlotte at Wiener Staatsoper, the company has been busy scrambling to change tenors for the production. It can be announced the cast will appear as follows:

Charlotte: Angela Gheorghiu

Werther: Jean-Francois Borras

Albert: Ludovic Tézier

Le Bailli: Alfred Šramek

Sophie: Daniela Fally

Schmidt: Benedikt Kobel

Johann: Hans Peter Kammerer

The performances featuring Ms. Gheorghiu begin tomorrow, March 5, with further engagements on March 9 and 13. Tickets are available here. See more images from music rehearsals and stagings in Vienna by clicking here.

Latonia More Steps Into the Spotlight for MET Opera Debut

Ms. Moore in her house debut as Aida
(Photo: Cory Weaver/Metropolitan Opera)

"As often happens with cover singers at the Metropolitan Opera the soprano Latonia Moore had less than a day’s notice to take over a major part, in her case the title role of Verdi’s Aida on Saturday afternoon. Violeta Urmana, scheduled to sing, was ill. (Sondra Radvanovsky had filled in for her on Tuesday.) So with just some studio coaching sessions and no rehearsal onstage, Ms. Moore, a 33-year-old Houston native, made her Met debut in the last performance of the revival of the company’s 1988 production this season, with Marco Armiliato conducting. The audience loved her. When Ms. Moore took her solo curtain call at the end, she received an ecstatic ovation." [Source]

Rosalind Elias Makes Her Debut in "Follies" at Age 82

The Grande Dame of the Theater
(Photo: Jenny Anderson/Broadway.com)

"Mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias is making her Broadway debut — as Heidi Schiller in Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies — at the age of 82. Her big break playing a former revue star from the Weismann Follies of 1918, in the conceptual musical now at the Marquis, comes on the heels of an operatic career than spanned more than 50 years and included over 600 performances at the Metropolitan Opera, where she created the roles of Erika in Samuel Barber's Vanessa and Charmian in Barber's Antony and Cleopatra. A Beiruti from Lebanon, Elias was the youngest of 13 children and had heard radio broadcasts of the Met growing up; persistent in her desire to study voice, Elias did so in her early teens, ultimately attending New England Conservatory. Elias spoke by phone on Sept. 29 before her evening performance in the critically acclaimed revival of Follies." Read a full interview with the singer by clicking here. Another great interview with the singer on her new role is on Broadway.com.

Kate Royal Explores the Life Cycle of Love in Recital Debut

The Royal blush of love at Weill Recital Hall.
(Photo: Richard Termine/The New York Times)

Kate Royal, pregnant with her second child, made her Carnegie Hall recital debut in Weill Recital Hall on May 20, 2011. Zachary Woolfe reviews for The New York Times : "Her ambitious program, a kind of original song cycle, was entitled A Lesson in Love, and Ms. Royal divided it into four themed sections: Waiting, the Meeting, the Wedding and Betrayal. (Not the most optimistic trajectory, but so it goes.) While she conveyed a sweet hopefulness in the first two and a sense of serene happiness in the third, it was when heartbreak was her subject that she was truly memorable .....But the second half felt more varied and specific as the emotional content of the works matured and then darkened. The calm clarity of Duparc’s 'Extase' suited Ms. Royal perfectly, as did Fauré’s 'Donc, Ce Sera par un Clair Jour d’Été.' She gave a stunning rendition of Britten’s 'O Waly, Waly'; its combination of pain and hushed serenity seemed written for her voice, which did just what was indicated by the final line, when love 'fades away like morning dew.'" [Source]

Watch a video of Kate Royal singing at WQXR studios:

Diva Débutantes Spice Up New Releases on Decca, DG & Sony

Among the sopranos making their debut recordings in the coming months, there are sprinklings of returning favorites like Diana Damrau and Danielle de Niese. Click on the images to enlarge. Enjoy!

Two Debuts & One Return in MET "Orfeo ed Euridice" Revival

MET debutantes Royal and Walker flank Daniels
on opening night (Photo: William Scott Walters)

"Soprano Kate Royal sang powerfully and emotionally as Euridice in a winning Met debut, displaying a strong upper register. She earned robust applause for 'Che fiero momento (What a proud moment).' Countertenor David Daniels once again was the star of the show, reprising his performance as Orfeo. The part was sung by the castrato Gaetano Guadagni at its premiere and also can be sung by a mezzo-soprano — Stephanie Blythe performed it at the Met two years ago. Slimmed down and looking radiant with sparkles on his clothes and a guitar dangling from his back, Daniels commanded the stage, conveying his pain at not being allowed to look at Euridice. His liquid voice dazzled in 'Che faro senza Euridice? (What shall I do without Euridice?)' .... Australian conductor Anthony Walker made his Met debut, leading a propulsive performance but one that was less frothy than James Levine's version when the staging was new." [Source]

Director Patrice Chéreau to Make Long-Awaited British Debut

Director in London (Photo: Rii)

"It is something of a mystery why Patrice Chéreau has waited until now to work in the British theatre. Ever since his epoch-making version of Wagner’s Ring at Bayreuth in 1976, he has been recognised as one of the greatest stage and opera directors of his generation, as well a considerable filmmaker (the spectacular historical drama La Reine Margot being his big international hit). His spirit is willing, his English is good, so why has it taken so long? He shrugs at the question. 'Nobody has asked me, that’s the only reason. The National Theatre suggested something once – 20 years ago. But nothing happened. Royal Shakespeare Company, Covent Garden… nothing, ever.'" [Source]

Arnold Rawls Makes Unexpected MET Debut

Rawls as Manrico at the Bregenz Festival

Tenor Arnold Rawls stepped in for an indisposed Marcelo Álvarez for the second half of this evening's performance of Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera. He was told at the end of the intermission that he would need to go back stage and get into costume to sing. An announcement was made to the audience that there would be an extra few minutes to allow the transition. For those who know the opera, the music that begins Act II, scene 3 is some of the most difficult for the role of Manrico during the whole evening. He opens with "Ah si, ben mio coll'essere" and quickly moves to "Di quella pira l'orrendo foco," a feat that would test the mettle of the most seasoned tenor who has also had the advantage of Act 1 to warm-up. Mr. Rawls basically went on cold and blew the audience away it what became his Metropolitan Opera debut. Roars of "bravo" thundered the opera house after his arias and the crowd leapt to its feet for his curtain call. Despite the interruption it may have caused the other singers who had to take extra time during the break when they were ready to get back on stage and sing, the cast change proved a thrilling evening for the tenor and the audience. The Louisiana-native has previously sung the role of Manrico in Il Trovatore for Bregenz Festival (Austria), Opera Southwest, Teatro Lirico, Mobile Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Seattle Opera and in concert with the Elmhurst Symphony. For more information about Arnold Rawls visit his website: http://www.arnoldrawls.com/.

Licia Albanese Debuted At The Metropolitan Opera Today in 1940

"Con onore muore" Madama Butterfly

On February 9, 1940, Licia Albanese made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the role of Cio-Cio San for Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Her co-stars included Charles Kullman (Pinkerton), Lucielle Browning (Suzuki), Richard Bonelli (Sharpless) and Alessio De Paolis (Goro). The production was directed by Désiré Defrère and conducted by Gennaro Papi. She went on to sing nearly 80 appearances as Cio-Cio San and give a total of 428 performances at the MET in La Bohème, Carmen, Le Nozze di Figaro, Faust, La Traviata, Cavalleria Rusticana, Otello, Manon Lescaut and Tosca. She had the distinct honor to be one of the artists to sing on the Farewell Concert to the Old Metropolitan Opera House on April 16, 1966, and the Gala Opening of the new MET at Lincoln Center on June 28, 1966. According to records, the soprano will be 98 (some say 102) years old this July.