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!

Swedish Wedding Of Prince Carl Philip Is Royal Musical Miss

Non-Operatic Pairing: Prince Carl Philip with 
his bride Sofia. See the full program of the
 wedding ceremony by clicking here.

HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden married Sofia Hellqvist on June 13, 2015, in The Royal Chapel of The Royal Palace. Following the footprint for the nuptials of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia Sommerlath, assembling guests were treated to "compositions for Royal Weddings" by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johan Helmich Roman, and George Friederic Händel. That would be the end of the classical music for this ceremony. What followed was the inclusion of non-traditional music such as "Athair ar Neamh" by Enya for the Procession,  "Fix You" by Coldplay (sung by Salem Al Fakir) before the Intercession, and "Joyful, joyful" (sung by Samuel Ljungblahd) at the Bridal Recession. No surprise that a love of pop music runs in the family, as his parents were treated to an ABBA concert at the Royal Opera the night before their wedding in 1976. As this trend toward lack of vocal music at young royal weddings continues, will opera singers be banished from these events in the future? There is a plethora of actively performing Swedish sopranos and mezzo-sopranos that could have been engaged for this special occasion, including Anne Sofie von Otter, Miah Persson, Nina Stemme, Katarina Karnéus, Ann Hallenberg, and more. Check out videos of the country's overlooked singers (including Peter Mattei), after the jump.

Alyson Cambridge Helps Notorious RBG Continue Her Domination

Alyson Cambridge is escorted down the aisle by her father Richard Cambridge.

First it was the nuptials of David Daniels, then Angela Meade, and now Alyson Cambridge. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, officiated the marriage of Alyson Cambridge to Timothy Eloe in the garden of the Anderson House in Washington, D.C. on May 30, 2015. "'Can anybody hear anything?' asked opera singer Alyson Cambridge, looking something far beyond statuesque in a white lace trumpet gown, as she and her almost husband, Timothy Eloe, try to fix Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s malfunctioning microphone. 'Noooooo,' was the collective answer from the wedding’s 100 black tie clad guests, sipping tall glasses of lemonade in the garden of the Anderson House. After a few minutes a new mike is found and Cambridge, an area native who’s appeared with the Washington National Opera, calls 'take two.' 'Okay, so we’ll start over,' said Ginsburg, who with frilly cuffs spilling out of her judge’s robe and thick black sunglasses looked as rock star as Prince. And the show goes on. It seemed appropriate for a relationship that started with the stage. In his personal vows, Eloe, a Chicago lawyer, said he first saw Cambridge, an

The soprano tears up during the ceremony officiated by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

area native who’s performed multiple times with the Washington National Opera, on a 20-foot billboard for the musical Show Boat more than three years ago. Once the show’s Chicago run, which Eloe joked he’d seen more times than anyone else in the entire city, was over, Eloe told Cambridge he knew 'we were an us.' Cambridge, dabbing her eyes with a tissue handed to her by her maid of honor — Eloe’s 11-year-old daughter Christina — said she’d been surprised that a clean-cut former college football player turned out to be the perfect match for her 'slightly over the top personality.' After the rings — carefully guarded by Eloe’s two young sons, Daniel, 10, and William, 7 — Ginsburg wished the couple a lifetime of happiness 'serving each other and humankind in peace and hope.'" [Source] See a couple more beautiful photos taken by Erin Schaff of the Washington Post, after the jump.

Soprano Angela Meade Married By Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg

The Bride Wore Blue: Soprano Meade on
her special day (Photo: Facebook)

Congratulations to Metropolitan Opera star Angela Meade on her marriage to tenor John Myers on May 23, 2015, in Philadelphia. The ceremony was officiated by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. As the opera world knows, Justice Ginsburg is a huge fan of singers. In fact, she previously presided over the ceremony of countertenor David Daniels back in June 21, 2014. Below is a picture from the 2013 Tucker Gala featuring Angela Meade, Justice Ginsburg, Barry Tucker, and Renée Fleming. The soprano will return to the MET as Leonora in Verdi's Il Trovatore during February 2016. See another image of the happy newlyweds at the Supreme Court with Justice Ginsburg and a shot from the 2014 Tucker Gala, after the jump.

View image | gettyimages.com

Yusif Eyvazov Loses Over 30 Pounds And Talks Future Plans

Rico Suave: The tenor shows off his new svelte fashion body (Photo: Gilbert Novy/Kurier)

"Er ist fast nicht wieder zu erkennen: Ganze 15 Kilo hat Yusif Eyvazov (38) seit seinem letzten öffentlichen Auftritt mit seiner Verlobten Anna Netrebko (43) abgenommen. Sein Outfit – glitzernde Silberjacke, enges rotes Shirt und goldene Sneakers – muten an, als hätte er vom Operngenre ist Popbusiness gewechselt. Fehlanzeige: Das österreichische Publikum wird von dem sympathischen Tenor in den nächsten Monaten viel zu hören bekommen. Bevor er am 16. Mai beim Life Ball singt und im Sommer in St. Margarethen den Cavaradossi in Tosca gibt, setzt Eyvazov am 30. April mit einem Charity-Konzert im Musikverein ein Zeichen: Bei Hibla Gerzmavas Festival wird er mit der Sopranistin und Ildebrando D’Arcangelo unter der Leitung von Vladimir Spivakov italienische Arien und Duette singen. Anlass dazu gab Netrebkos Sohn Tiago (7)." [Source] The interview goes on to discuss how he lost the weight; his relationship with Anna's son Tiago; dates for the wedding in St. Petersburg; and spending more time in New York City. Read the full interview by clicking here.

When Rosa Ponselle Was A Wedding Singer At Paterno Castle

Society Gal: Rosa Ponselle had friends in high places

"Rosa was rethinking her own life. Early in 1936 she ended her relationship with Russo because they argued, because he did not repay the $13,000 or more than she had lent him, and because Carmela and their father distrusted him. When the Metropolitan Opera tour took her to Baltimore in Carmen that spring, she met Carle A. Jackson, the mayor's son. Their romance, covered in articles in the Baltimore papers that survive in the clipping files of the public libraries in Baltimore and New York, quite naturally attracted the attention of the press. 'Opera star' meets 'prominent socialite' at 'Bori's farewell performance at the Lyric Theatre in Baltimore,' as the papers described it. But they tell only part of the story, for Jackson was the headstrong thirty-year old divorced father of a child, while Ponselle, who had turned thirty-nine the previous January, was facing personal and career challenges that were no less daunting than those of her earliest years at the Metropolitan. Whatever else it was, this was not 'love's young dream' but rather the free association of sophisticated adults. According to all accounts the two fell in love almost on sight and, after a courtship that lasted through that summer, were married on December 13, 1936,

Rosa Ponselle with sister Carmela (left)

in Ponselle's penthouse at 90 Riverside Drive. The man who officiated was New York State Supreme Court Justice Salvatore A. Cotillo, who knew both Rosa and Carmela well, for in November 1934 they had sung at the wedding of his daughter Helen to Carlo Paterno, another of the Ponselle sisters' circle. That ceremony, at 'The Castle,' the Cotillo mansion overlooking the Hudson River in Westchester County, had been amply covered by reporters. Now they were back in force for Ponselle's wedding. She wore 'a gray crushed velvet gown with a cowl and carried a muff of lavender orchids' because lavender was 'her favorite color,' she said. The soprano was giving away by 'her father, Benjamin Ponzillo of Meriden, Connecticut.' Carmela was the maid of honor, while Riall Jackson, the groom's brother, served as best man. The Metropolitan Opera tenor Richard Crooks sang 'Oh, Promsie Me.'" [Source] See more glamorous and rare photos of Rosa Ponselle, as well as some audio samples from 1934, after the jump. 

The castle of real-estate developer Charles V. Paterno, where the wedding was held in 1934,
with the George Washington Bridge in the background.

Aprile Millo Photographed By Herb Ritts At Elizabeth Taylor Wedding

Ms. Millo can be seen on the left of the Herb Ritts
 photo behind hair-dresser José Eber.

In 1991, Aprile Millo sang for the wedding of Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky. The soprano had just made her debut in Boito's Mefistofele at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She sang "Ave Maria" at the Neverand Ranch as helicopters swirled overhead during the ceremony. "It was the eighth – and final – trip she would ever make down the aisle. And now, for the first time, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation has released photos of Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky's lavish 1991 wedding at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch exclusively to People. This inside look commemorates People's Oct. 21, 1991, cover story on the biggest and most media-saturated wedding in Hollywood history. (Remember, this was in the days before weddings like George and Amal Clooney's and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's.) In the photos, the blushing, bronzed bride is dressed in a pale yellow $25,000 Valentino gown (a gift from the designer). She is seen with her groom – her seventh (she married Richard Burton twice) – and with her close friend, Jackson, who hosted the wedding for 160 high profile guests on his 2,700-acre Santa Ynez Valley, California, estate." [Source]

Mary Elizabeth Williams Discusses "Nabucco" And Marriage

Verdi Bad Girl: Mary Elizabeth Williams will play the role of Abigaille in Nabucco beginning in June.

"Mary Elizabeth Williams is soaking up the sights of Venice when I call. It’s little over a week until the soprano will be on stage in Cardiff for the opening night of Welsh National Opera’s new production of Nabucco and she’s got a few days off from rehearsals. But despite the short break from work, she’s still immersed in opera – for she’s in the Italian city to support her husband, Lorenzo Decaro, who’s appearing in Tosca at Teatro La Fenice. 'I’ve been to Venice before but it was so long ago that I hardly remember a thing,' says the 37-year-old who is originally from Philadelphia but now lives in Milan. 'I’m just here for a couple of days and we’ve been doing lots of walking around and enjoyed dinner with my husband’s colleagues. I like to eat local food and shop and just hang out. But I leave

The opera duo exchange wedding vows.
(Photo: Facebook)

tomorrow and head straight to Cardiff for rehearsals.' The couple have only been married for two months. They tied the knot during an intimate ceremony at Williams’ mother’s house in America little over a year after meeting when they played on-stage lovers in Aida in Palermo, Italy. 'I suppose it’s been a whirlwind by today’s standards – he asked me to marry him at Christmas and we figured if we didn’t get married now it could be difficult as we’re both working all the time.' She admits that she was 'hesitant' at first about starting a relationship with another opera singer. 'I don’t like to have romances on the road – I like to keep it professional and I avoid tenors at all costs as typically they’re very high maintenance,' she laughs. 'I was very reticent but he was very gentlemanly and patient and he always made it clear he was interested without stalking me. He won me over, I’m lucky.'" [Source] For more information about the Nabucco performances at Welsh National Opera, click here.

Prince Harry To Date, Or Just Dine With, Soprano Laura Wright?

Laura Wright (center) is seen here with rugby players of England.

"Prince Harry has been separated from Cressida Bonas for nearly one month now, and both appear to be moving on with their lives. Harry actually has his first date next month with someone of high class and is a familiar face to the Royal Family. Harry will attend the Suffolk Show with opera singer and known soprano Laura Wright. The 23-year-old has performed for the Queen six times in one year and will accompany Harry to the show next month. 'I've been to it since I was a kid and I'll be having lunch with Harry and a few other people,' Wright told the Daily Mail. 'That's right – the newly-single Prince Harry who loves rugby. I was really chuffed when I got the invitation. Every little girl wants to be a princess at some point. Maybe he wouldn't want a princess that plays rugby, though. I don't want to be a rebound.' Harry has thrown himself into his work in the aftermath of his breakup with Bonas. He attended a wedding in the U.S. with brother William and several mutual friends but then returned home and got straight to work. He has made a few Royal appearances but largely remains behind-the-scenes in his work." [Source] More about Laura Wright, including performance videos, after the jump.

Julianna Di Giacomo Marries Alessandro Polselli

Wedded Bliss: The newlywed couple in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Facebook)

Soprano Julianna Di Giacomo married Alessandro Polselli on December 14, 2013. They decided to honeymoon in beautiful Hawaii. For any fans or friends who haven't already sent a gift, check out the registry here. Congratulations and a lifetime of joy to the happy couple!

Charlotte Church Sang "Pie Jesu" For Murdoch Press Favors

"Singer Charlotte Church gave damning testimony against the British press at the Leveson Inquiry into press ethics on Monday. In it, she claimed that she sang for free at Rupert Murdoch's wedding in exchange for favorable press coverage. Church said that Murdoch gave her a choice: either she could take £100,000 for the job, or she could waive the fee in exchange for positive coverage from Murdoch's outlets. 'I remember being told that Rupert Murdoch had asked me to sing at his wedding to Wendi Deng and it would take place on his yacht in New York," Church told the inquiry. "I remember being told that [there would be] the offer of money or the offer of the favor, in order to basically get good press, to be looked upon favorably.'" [Source] Videos of the confession and the soprano singing "Pie Jesu" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem are after the jump.

Kate Middleton (aka Duchess of Cambridge) As Benefactress?

In addition to supporting opera and ballet,
the Duchess (as depicted here by Zoran Zarre)
may be an advocate for art as well.

"The Duchess of Cambridge famously entrusted her future father-in-law with helping her choose the music for her wedding. And he did her proud, particularly with Sir Hubert's 'I Was Glad' which played as she walked down the aisle. But it wasn't the first time she turned to Prince Charles for musical advice and education. The pair have been making secret visits to London's Royal Opera House since well before Catherine got married. A Royal Opera House source told The Telegraph: 'The Duchess of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales have made several private visits to the Royal Opera House together, before and since the royal wedding in April, to watch several opera and ballet productions. 'The Prince is a firm supporter of the Opera House and the Duchess also seems to hugely enjoy her visits to Covent Garden. Both have been very enthusiastic about the productions they have seen together.'" [Source]

Soprano Nino Machaidze Marries Baritone Guido Loconsolo

The happy couple in 2008.

Watch a performance of the couple in concert from 2010 singing "Là ci darem la mano" after the jump.

Mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey Is Officially Married

The Newlyweds
(Photo: Meghan McMackin/NY Times)

"Kate Lindsey, a daughter of Nancy R. Lindsey and the Rev. Richard H. Lindsey Jr. of Richmond, Va., was married Saturday afternoon to Landon John Jones, a son of Cathryn M. Jones and Martin J. Jones of Carbon, Iowa. Ms. Lindsey, 30, is keeping her name. She is a mezzo-soprano who this year sang the role of Nicklausse in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann at the Metropolitan Opera, with which she is a principal artist and where later this year she is to appear as Hansel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. In June, she sang in Mozart’s Idomeneo at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. She graduated from Indiana University. The couple met in April 2010 when Dr. Jones, far from an opera buff, agreed to play tour guide to Ms. Lindsey, then preparing to perform in the title role of the Seattle Opera’s Amelia, a new work. He did so only as a favor to his best friend, who also happened to be Ms.

Lindsey in Amelia
at Seattle Opera.

Lindsey’s sister-in-law. 'I had been to an opera in Houston,' he said. 'It was three hours, and it couldn’t be over soon enough.' After he and Ms. Lindsey had gone on two platonic hiking trips, Dr. Jones could not get her out of his head. 'I’m getting flyers of the Amelia opera in the mail,' he remembered. 'I’m seeing her face everywhere on posters.' When she opened in Amelia that May, he decided to give opera another chance, and then built up the courage to ask her a few days later to go on a kayaking date with him. 'It was our first real date,' he said." [Source]