"Mission: Impossible" Gets The (Vienna State) Opera Treatment

Soprano Lise Lindstrom has sung the title role of Puccini's Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Les Choregies d'Orange, and many other opera companies around the world. (Photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)

Critic Alex Ross brilliantly covers the classical music-infused sequences of the new Tom Cruise thriller Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. From opening scenes featuring Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro overture to extended excerpts of Puccini's Turandot. Although actors portray the opera roles of Turandot (America Olivo) and Caláf (Jesus Alvarez), the parts are sung here by Lise Lindstrom and Gregory Kunde under conductor Philippe Auguin (played by Nicholas Lupu in the film). Most of the action takes place at the Vienna State Opera. There's even a splash of Beethoven's Eroica Symphony thrown in for classical good measure. And it is probably no coincidence that the femme fatale of the film, played by Rebecca Ferguson, is named Ilsa Faust. Hélas, no Gounod is found in the film. Read the entire review by clicking here. Watch a clip of Lise Lindstrom singing the role of Turandot, after the jump.

Tom Cruise as the indestructible Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.

Opera Fail: Disappearance Of An Opera News Posting On Facebook

Opera News took to their Facebook page yesterday asking followers where they would rather see their next opera: Vienna or Milan. Users immediately began to point out the obvious and the post has since disappeared. Perhaps some editing would have resolved the issue? See the original post 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.

Silvana Dussmann: A Study In Dramatic Soprano Vocal Prowess

Born in Vienna, soprano Silvana Dussmann was destined to perform the German repertoire of Mozart and Strauss. After studying with Rita Streich and Gerhard Kahry, she won first prize for operetta at the Vienna Belvedere Competition in 1987. Her debut was as Lisa in Franz Lehár's Das Land des Lächelns at the Volksoper Wien opposite Nicolai Gedda. She soon became an ensemble member of the Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck, where she sang

roles such as Ilia (Idomeneo), Konstanze (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Micaëla (Carmen), Laura (Der Bettelstudent), and Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus). Subsequently in 1990 she debuted in the title role of Emmerich Kálmán's Die Csárdásfürstin at the Seefestspielen Mörbisch. By 1992 she was engaged by Opernhaus Graz where she extended her repertoire to roles like Violetta (La Traviata), Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), Agathe (Der Freischütz), and Angèle Didier (Der Graf von Luxemburg). Beginning in 1994, Ms. Dussmann began performing at the Wiener Volksoper as Musetta (La bohème), Marchesa del Poggio (Un Giorno di Regno), Frau Fluth (Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor), Vitellia (La Clemenza di Tito), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Countess Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), and the title role in Norma. In 1996 she was reviving her portrayals of Musetta and Rosalinde for the Wiener Staatsoper. She went on to perform at the Aalto-Musiktheater in Essen, the Bayerischen Staatsoper in München, Israel Philharmonic in Tel Aviv, and Opera Bonn. At Wiener Festwochen in

Christa Ludwig Reveals A Lifetime Of Learning In Candid Interview

An early portrait of the mezzo-soprano.

The Berliner-Morgenpost sits down with mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig to discuss a wide range of topics at her home in Klosterneuburg. In the interview she reveals her feelings about disliking the word "Masterclass"; Maria Callas and Anja Silja possessing voices non-beautiful voices; singers today knowing about sex, but not eroticism; why she wasn't hired more in Berlin by Fricsay; how Birgit Nilsson had vocal cords that could withstand anything; recording Fidelio over 14 days; doing a recital with steroid-induced pianist Tzimon Barto; and how she thinks her life today is quite boring. Read the whole interview here.

Tennis Player Ernests Gulbis Doesn't Like To Miss The Opera

Gulbis (above) displays a passion for opera that
we haven't seen since Novak Djokovic professed
his admiration for Natalie Dessay.

"When I [Sports Illustrated] caught up with Ernests Gulbis at the Italian Open last year, he was in the midst of a career resurgence after plunging to No. 136 and having his mom recommend that he retire. His renaissance has continued in 2014: The 25-year-old Latvian is 23-10 with one title (the Open 13 in Marseille, France) and two semifinal appearances, and last week he reached a career-high No. 17. He is ranked 19th entering the French Open, which begins on Sunday. The outspoken Gulbis — who has put his fans through the wringer with his erratic play and combustible temperament — sat down for another interview in Rome last week, before his third-round loss to David Ferrer. He talked about his newfound consistency on the court and his eclectic tastes off it."

SI.com: What’s a piece of culture that’s impressed you lately?
Gulbis: Lately it’s been more music. I was really pissed off because I got sick in Vienna right before Madrid and I had two great tickets for the opera. One was for Nabucco and Placido Domingo coming to Vienna, and I missed it because I was in a doctor’s appointment. But what I like lately is classical minimalist music. Like Philip Glass, Pierre Boulez, Irmin Schmidt. Schmidt wrote a lot of good music for movies. There’s one really good soundtrack, from Wim Wenders’ film Palermo Shooting. That kind of music culturally touched me. It’s not easy to listen to it.

SI.com: You’re very into music.
Gulbis: My collection of music is pretty big. It’s around 4-5 terabytes. I keep it at home in a hard drive. We put all the CDs that we had in our houses — the country house and the city house — on one hard drive. All the music I downloaded and all the music my father downloaded is in one place. [Source]

It's not the first time we've seen opera and tennis come together. Watch the video after the jump for proof.

Agnes Baltsa Brings Greek Recital To The Vienna State Opera

"Da kommt sie: stolz, aufrecht, blondes Haar fließt in ihren Nacken. Über Jahrzehnte hat Agnes Baltsa das Publikum der Wiener Staatsoper verzückt, hat hier 25 Partien gegeben, vom Octavian über die Isabella und die Carmen bis zur Küsterin. Nun ist die kraftvolle Diva, die im nächsten Jahr ihren 70. Geburtstag feiert, für einmal auf die Bühne der Staatsoper zurückgekehrt, mit Liedern aus ihrer Heimat. In einer Zeit, in der Griechenland nicht gerade in der Komfortzone der Sympathierankings europäischer Nationen zu finden ist, ist das auf jeden Fall eine gute Sache." [Source]

Brigitte Nielsen und Roger Moore beim Wiener Opernball

"Vom Dschungelcamp zum Opernball: Die dänische Schauspielerin Brigitte Nielsen ist einer der Stars beim diesjährigen Wiener Opernball. Gemeinsam mit 'James Bond'-Darsteller Roger Moore wird Nielsen auf Einladung des österreichischen Bauunternehmers Richard 'Mörtel' Lugner das Fest besuchen, wie Lugner verkündete. Die 48-jährige Ex-Frau von Hollywood-Star Sylvester Stallone erklärte, sie freue sich schon darauf, nach Wien zu kommen. Nielsen war vergangene Woche bei der jüngsten Staffel des RTL-Dschungelcamp zur Dschungelkönigin gekrönt worden. Der österreichische Bauunternehmer Lugner holt alljährlich Stars und Sternchen zum Opernball nach Wien, die ihn bei dem Society-Ereignis begleiten. So waren unter anderem Hollywood-Star Sophie Loren, Baywatch-Nixe Pamela Anderson oder US-Schauspielerin Andie MacDowell Gäste in seiner Loge. Im vergangenen Jahr hatte Lugner die im Sex-Skandal um Italiens Ex-Regierungschef Silvio Berlusconi bekannt gewordene Karima El Mahroug alias Ruby mit auf den Ball genommen." [Source]

Vienna "Káťa Kabanová" Harnesses Much Needed Sadness

Suicidal tendencies. (Photo: Michael Poehn)

"Conductor Franz Welser-Moest, who has described the score of Katya Kabanova as 'turbulent waters' full of 'very many cliffs,' navigated admirably through the musical torrents. That’s not easy in a work where one chord oftens seems internally torn as it expresses the conflicting emotions of as many as three singers on stage. On stage, Janice Watson was heartbreakingly authentic as Katya, with plenty of the range and volume that this opera calls for. Klaus Florian Vogt kept pace as Boris, powering up his delivery to Wagnerian strength as required. Deborah Polanski was a wonderful Kabanicha, the uber mother-in-law whose oppressive domination of Katya — and suppressed sexual desire for her own son — drives Katya first to adultery and then to suicide. Her look of triumph as she bends over Katya’s dead body to slip the wedding ring off her finger and on to her own is one of the many highlights of the less than two-hour performance." [Source]

Photos: Anna Netrebko is Anna Bolena

(Photo: Michael Pöhn/Wiener Staatsoper)

Head over to the Intermezzo blog to see a whole lot of photos from the production of Anna Bolena that is to be premiered at the Wiener Staatsoper on April 2 featuring Anna Netrebko in the title role, Elīna Garanča and Ildebrando d'Arcangelo. There is also an article in the Kurier with more photos.

Elīna Garanča "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" Wiener Opernball

Elīna Garanča Performs at the Vienna Opera Ball

As this year's entertainment, Elīna Garanča sang an aria from Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) and "Wien, Wien, nur du allein" (Sieczynski). For more photos of the mezzo-soprano's performance after the jump and more images of the event here.

More Opera Ball Photos From Vienna

Anna Netrebko Steals the Spotlight From Italian Bombshell

Despite the 78-year old Austrian tycoon Richard Lugner paying Moroccan-born belly dancer Karima El-Mahroug (aka "Ruby The Heart Stealer" and "Bunga-Bunga* Girl") €40,000 to be his date for the Vienna Opera Ball last night, it was the presence of Anna Netrekbo and Erwin Schrott that really rocked the house. Ruby claimed she could belly-dance but not waltz. The operatic duo had no problems taking to the dance floor and showing their moves. Elīna Garanča sang an aria from Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) and "Wien, Wien, nur du allein" (Sieczynski). Also in attendance at the ball were Bob Geldof and Larry Hagman. [Photos by Zach-Kiesling] [Source]

Anna Netrebko Supports Erwin Schrott At "Figaro" Premiere

Anna Netrebko flew to Vienna to support Erwin Schrott for the premiere of Le Nozze di Figaro on February 16. Check out photos from the production here. Click on the image to see the backstage interview. More screen caps after the jump. [Source]

Hollywood Starlet Could Make Vienna Opera Ball A "10"

Actress and sexual icon Bo Derek (54) will attend the Wiener Opernball as the guest of businessman and playboy Richard Lugner (78). The mogul who manages Vienna's Lugner City shopping center admitted she was his third choice (no word on the first two that declined). Former celebrities that have had the honor include Sophia Loren, Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson. Also attending as a guest of Mr. Lugner will be former star of television's Dallas, Larry Hagman.  [Source, Source]

Jean-Louis Martinoty Discusses His Mozartian Intentions

The director works with Erwin Schrott (Count Almaviva)

As a former assistant to Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, Jean-Louis Martinoty was often called upon to do difficult duties in his career like giving the director's notes to Herbert von Karajan in Salzburg. His production of Le Nozze di Figaro opens this evening at the Wiener Staatsoper and features some of the world's greatest Mozart interpreters. Read the full interview for his insights into Mozart and this masterpiece. [Source]

Luca Pisaroni Makes Vienna State Opera Debut As Figaro

Luca with wife Catherine and dog Tristan

Italian bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni is making his Wiener Staatsoper debut this evening in the title role of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. The cast will also include Sylvia Schwartz (Susanna), Erwin Schrott (Graf Almaviva), Dorothea Röschmann (Gräfin Almaviva) and Anna Bonitatibus (Cherubino). In a sweet and charming interview with Kurier he discusses growing up in Busseto, why his dog is named Tristan, what makes him happy, singing more in Vienna and how being an opera singer is comparable to a dog:

Und was macht Sie persönlich glücklich? Natürlich meine Frau, meine Familie und auch mein Hund. Als Hundehalter hat man nämlich Pflichten. Da muss man bei jedem Wetter mit dem Tier hinausgehen. Da gibt es selbst als Sänger keine Ausreden. Egal, ob es regnet oder schneit: Ich gehe mit Tristan spazieren. Dieses Getue nach dem Motto "Kein Windhauch darf meiner Stimme zu nahe kommen" ist Unfug. Wer sich dem Leben stellt, wird dafür auch belohnt. [Source]

Elīna Garanča May Be Wiener Opernball Guest

(Photos: Gabo/Deutsche Grammophon)

Dominique Meyer, Director for the Wiener Staatsoper, has hinted that mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča will be the main guest at this year's opera ball on March 3. The singer was asked after an invitation to George Clooney was rejected. Confirmation should come this week, but no word on whether she will sing if she attends the festivities. She will of course be at the Wiener Staatsoper rehearsing Anna Bolena with Anna Netrebko in the title role, so the audience may get a two-for-one treat. [Source]

Opera at the Museum

Le musée du Louvre à Paris va diffuser à partir de ce week-end des concerts filmés de l'Opéra de Vienne, avec dès samedi une représentation de 1980 de "La Chauve-Souris" de Johann Strauss, a annoncé l'Opéra jeudi. Parmi les autres films montrés lors de ce cycle, qui dure jusqu'à la mi-mai, figurent une mise en scène de 1978 du "Fidelio" de Beethoven, une représentation d'"Elektra" de Strauss en 1989, un "Don Giovanni" de Mozart de 1990, une production de "La Veuve joyeuse" de Franz Lehar de 1999 ou encore "Le Vaisseau fantôme" de Wagner donné en 2004.

Le musée retransmettra également un concert en direct, la première d'"Anna Bolena" de Donizetti, qui sera donnée à Vienne le 2 avril 2011, avec la soprano russe Anna Netrebko dans le rôle-titre.