Eine Wagner-Film Komplimente des Metropolitan Oper

For more information about locations to catch the film, as well as the story about the making of the piece, click here.

Seattle Opera YAP to Present Donizetti's "Don Pasquale"

 
Read more about the production by clicking here.

First Glimpse of Anna Netrebko at MET "Manon" After-Party

More gorgeous photos of Ms. Netrebko by photographer Julie Skarratt can be found here. See more pictures of guests (including Paulo Szot, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Barbara Walters and Peter Gelb) click here.

Anna Netrebko Sings the "Gavotte" From the New MET "Manon"

Vesselina Kasarova Talks Drug Use in the Opera World

"'Sometimes when I think of all that I do for my voice, I think I don't want to go on,'....She says that after 10 years on stage, most singers develop common cold-like symptoms year-round, 'because we breathe in dirt, dust and odors' while performing. Ailments affecting the breathing passages occur as frequently for singers as joint problems for professional tennis players, Kasarova explains. And like athletes in a fiercely competitive environment, some singers turn to drugs to perform instead of opting for a rest. But the gain is only short term. Overuse of steroids in the form of cortisone is common, say singers and doctors treating them. The treatment masks problems with inflamed vocal cords but the problem worsens to the point where operations may become necessary. That, in turn can change a voice – and even ruin it. Kasarova describes cortisone use as 'an infernal circle' that sometimes becomes an addiction. Others, she says, abuse sleeping pills to try to escape stresses of performing that have grown in the past decades as stages get bigger, orchestras louder and opera seasons longer than ever." [Source] Watch excerpts of the mezzo-soprano after the jump.

Natalie Dessay Sings "Dr. Tom ou la liberté cavale"

Click on the above image to launch the music video.

Young Hollywood Starlets attend Netrebko's MET "Manon"

"Emma Roberts, niece of Julia Roberts, dined with Chloë Moretz and Sky Ferreira. The sauteed sole was accompanied by asparagus and a puree of cauliflower and Yukon potatoes." (Photo: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg News)

YSL Gets Patricia Clarkson In the Mood at the "Manon" Premiere

"Patricia Clarkson, wearing a strapless velvet gown, declared herself 'pumped' to see Anna Netrebko singing the title role. "I saw her in Anna Bolena and she was astonishing," the actress recalled. 'I know it's this gala and I love the Met, and I love my YSL clothes—come on, I mean, gorgeous—I'm going to sleep in them, have sex in them. But I am truly beside myself about seeing her tonight.'" [Source] For a big photo gallery of stars and opera patrons (including Mercedes Bass, January Jones, Barbara Walters, Chuck Close, Michael Stipe, and Patti Smith) wearing Yves Saint Laurent, click here!

Maestro Gianandrea Noseda Discusses Arts Funding on CNBC

Click the above image to launch the video of Gianandrea Noseda on CNBC discussing arts funding in Italy.

Video: Paul Appleby Debuts in "The Juillard Sessions"

(Photo: Dario Acosta)

Watch a video from EMI Classics, featuring Paul Appleby in performance excerpts from the new "Juilliard Sessions," after the jump.

Angela Gheorghiu Continues to Rock Out in Crossover Video

Watch the video of Holograf's song "Nu mai e timp," featuring Angela Gheorghiu as a guest artist, after the jump.

Which Books Are On Renée Fleming's Reading List?

“I never would have developed the ability
to be on stage unless I had read so much...”
Renée Fleming

Blizzard of One: Poems (Mark Strand)

Dropped Names (Frank Langella)

The Divided Mind (Dr. John Sarno)

Bel Canto (Ann Patchett)

Read more about what the soprano has to say about each of these works by clicking here.

Netrebko and Schrott: King and Queen of Fashion?

"Ein Schloss muss es sein als Kulisse für das nächste Konzert-Event. Zur Besichtigung fährt die Limousine vor. Die Tür mit den verdunkelten Scheiben öffnet sich, und schwarze Wildlederstiefel mit glitzernden Steinen an den hohen Absätzen blitzen auf. Eine schwarze Handtasche mit goldener Schnalle schwingt hinaus. Das Gesicht ihrer Besitzerin ist von einem wuchtigen Fellkragen umrahmt, halb versteckt hinter dem dunklen Flaum. Die Netrebko schreitet die breite Wendeltreppe zum Festsaal im Schloss Münster hinauf. Einen anderen Auftritt hätte man sich für eine, für die Operndiva wohl nicht vorstellen können....Im Schloss Münster ist Erwin Schrott an Netrebkos Seite. Er könnte der Prinz sein, den sich die Opernkönigin zum Schloss gewünscht hat. Erobert hat er sie aber nicht von einem weißen Schimmel aus, sondern mit einer Harley Davidson. Unter dem schwarzen, engen Mantel zeichnen sich die Muskeln ab. Die dunkle Jeans ist gewollt knittrig in die lässig geschnürten Boots gestopft. Das markante Gesicht mit den vollen Lippen steht im Einklang mit dem tiefen Bariton, der dem Uruguayer Triumphe an den großen Opernhäusern garantiert." [Source]

Buried (MP3) Treasure: Rita Streich

As record labels explore the cost effectiveness of the MP3 format, many are digging deep into their archives to find recorded material to re-issue from previous CD incarnations or in some cases for the first time since their original LP release. Click on the Amazon widget to hear MP3 audio samples.

Natalie Dessay Sings the Chanson of Debussy for Virgin Classics

Dessay: La Belle Voix. Buy the album by clicking here.

"Im ihrem Liedrecital steht Natalie Dessay ein Pianist zur Seite, der sich mit einer Gesamtaufnahme der Debussy-Klaviermusik höchste Meriten erworben hat: Philippe Cassard, von dem die Idee zu der Produktion ausging. Er hörte Natalie Dessay in Debussys Oper Pelléas et Mélisande und war überzeugt, dass sie als einzige Sängerin dieses Repertoire nicht nur zu singen, sondern wirklich zu verkörpern versteht. "Ihr Charisma als Darstellerin, ihre Energie, ihr Temperament, ihre Virtuosität und ihr Sinn für Humor sorgen für eine wirklich außergewöhnliche Interpretation". Natalie Dessay leiht in diesen Werken einer gewissen Marie Vasnier ihre Stimme – die Frau eines Debussy-Gönners, in die der Komponist verliebt war, und für die er rund 40 Lieder komponierte. Das Recital Clair de lune bietet eine Reihe von Raritäten – so das bisher noch nie eingespielte Lied Les Elfes (eine von vier Ersteinspielungen) und die Kantate La Damoiselle Elue." [Source]

QE2 to Be Celebrated with Britten's "Gloriana" for Jubilee

Her Majesty (Photo: Annie Leibovitz)

"The Royal Opera House will mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation with a new staging of Benjamin Britten's opera Gloriana, which explores the relationship between the aging Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Essex. The work, poorly received when it first appeared in 1953, will be directed by Richard Jones, the man behind Anna Nicole, the Royal Opera House's controversial opera about the life of celebrity Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith. The 2013 production will also mark the centenary of Britten's birth in 1913. Susan Bullock will sing the role of the 'Virgin Queen' while Toby Spence will portray the "hot-headed" Essex, the opera house said Wednesday. The opera includes a 'haunting' scene in which the queen meditates on her reign and on death." [Source]