Angela Gheorghiu News

The Richard Tucker Music Foundation's annual galas--celebrating each year's winner of the Tucker Award to young American singers--are known for two things. First, they are notoriously fun evenings of opera warhorses and, second, they are guessing games: Which of the singers scheduled to perform won't show up? This year's gala fulfilled the first object delectably, as it celebrated mezzo Jamie Barton, but, surprise!, almost everyone appeared as scheduled, with one very noticeable exception.

The title character in Puccini's TOSCA is the quintessential diva--a grand performer ('goddess' in Italian) who thinks the world revolves around her, particularly when it comers to her lover, painter Mario Cavaradossi. The same might be said for soprano Angela Gheorghiu, who used to be a top attraction at the Met, until cancellations and other prima donna-ish actions saw her fall from favor, despite her fine singing and acting skills. Well, she came back for two performances of her well-traveled (and -received) Floria Tosca and the result was, well, disappointing.

Beginning tonight, October 16, Puccini's Tosca returns to the Met for thirteen performances starring four sopranos as the tempestuous title character.

Plácido Domingo, currently at the Met to conduct TOSCA, was admitted to the hospital yesterday, suffering from cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder. He is scheduled to undergo a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) early next week, and it is expected that this minimally invasive procedure will allow him to resume his activities after a brief hospital stay.

Beginning October 16, Puccini's Tosca returns to the Met for thirteen performances starring four sopranos as the tempestuous title character.

Roberto Aronica will sing Cavaradossi in the first five performances of Puccini's Tosca at the Met this season—October 16, 21, 24 matinee, 29, and November 2—replacing Massimo Giordano, who is ill. As originally scheduled, Aronica will also sing the role on November 25, 28 matinee, and December 1.

San Francisco Opera today announced cast changes for the Company's new production of Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, presented October 8–28, 2015, and for Mozart's The Magic Flute, presented October 20–November 20, at the War Memorial Opera House.

Beethoven's late string quartets are the mighty pillar on which the ACO's 2016 season is built. These remarkably complex quartets are the undisputed pinnacle of chamber music-making, like a musical Everest. Even though they were composed in the depths of deafness, Beethoven was at the height of his creative power.

International conductor Ramon Tebar will make his official debut as Principal Guest Conductor of Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia earlier than the previously announced 2015-2016 season. He replaces on short notice the venerable conductor Nicola Luisotti, who as Music Director of San Francisco Opera, has had to regretfully cancel his last two performances for artistic contingency reasons with the opera house.

From 1 to 5 July 2015, the Accompanists' Guild of SA will welcome back Malcolm Martineau to Adelaide.

Francesco Demuro and Michael Fabiano will sing the role of Rodolfo in the remaining 2014 performances of La Bohème, replacing Ramón Vargas, who has withdrawn from the remainder of the performances due to illness.

NEW YORK, NY — November 14, 2014 — The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation and Executive Director Bennett Rink today announced that more than $40 million has been raised to date to cap the tremendous legacy of retiring Chairman of the Board Joan H. Weill. The unprecedented gift, led by the generosity of Sanford I. Weill, inaugurates the Campaign for Ailey's Future to support the expansion of Ailey's building and the extension of Ailey's artistic and educational initiatives.

The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation and Executive Director Bennett Rink today announced that more than $40 million has been raised to date to cap the tremendous legacy of retiring Chairman of the Board Joan H. Weill. The unprecedented gift, led by the generosity of Sanford I. Weill, inaugurates the Campaign for Ailey's Future to support the expansion of Ailey's building and the extension of Ailey's artistic and educational initiatives.

The Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble will present legendary opera conductor and composer Anton Coppola in a discusion of Italian opera and a masterclass on interpretation and style featuring selected singers from MORE Opera's roster at Most Precious Blood Church, 109 Mulberry Street in Little Italy on Friday, September 19, 2014 at 7:30 PM. The program is presented in conjunction with MORE Opera's October 12th and 15th performances of Puccini's “Tosca,” under the renowned conductor's baton at Dicapo Opera Theater. In addition to the masterclass, Maestro Coppola will reflect on hisconducting career, verismo opera, and his unique vision for MORE Opera's upcoming production of “Tosca” during the 90-minute program. This is a great opportunity for opera aficianados and the general public to witness a master conductor at work. Admission is free.

THE MET: LIVE IN HD's 'Summer Encores' series presents Puccini's bittersweet romance LA RONDINE. The production returns with opera stars Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna tonight, June 25 at 7 p.m.* (*check local theaters for dates and times). Scroll down for a sneak peek at the production!

THE MET: LIVE IN HD's 'Summer Encores' series presents Puccini's bittersweet romance LA RONDINE. The production returns with opera stars Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna on Wednesday, June 25 at 7 p.m.* (*check local theaters for dates and times). Scroll down for a sneak peek at the production!

Beginning Wednesday, June 18, the Metropolitan Opera and Fathom Events will once again present Summer HD Encores, a series of choice encore performances from the groundbreaking Live in HD series of cinema presentations

An internationally sought-after conductor, Florida Grand Opera Music Director Ramon Tebar's engagements take him abroad beginning this month. Following a concert with the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona with soloistssoprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Saimir Pirgu in Barcelona, Spain, last week, upcoming international engagements includeCarmen with Brazil's Theatro Muncipal de Sao Paulo and a soon to be announced production with Spain's Festival de Opera de A Coruna. Nationally, he can be heard conducting Madama Butterfly with Cincinnati Opera. In May, with his company, Florida Grand Opera in Miami, he closes the 2013-14 season with a six-performance production of Thais.

Carnegie Hall presents lyric soprano Lucy Crowe in her New York recital debut tonight, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Weill Recital Hall. Joined by pianist Anna Tilbrook, Ms. Crowe performs a wide variety of repertoire, with song cycles to include Alban Berg's Sieben fruhe Lieder and William Walton's A Song for the Lord Mayor's Table-six pieces celebrating the sights and sounds of London. Additional program highlights include a performance of Sibelius's vocally demanding tone poem, Luonnotar, Op. 70, inspired by the Kalevala, a 19th-century Finnish epic poem, and well-known lieder by Schubert. The British-born singer will also perform traditional selections from Folk Songs from the British Isles, including 'Sally Gardens,' and 'The Ash Grove,' arranged by Benjamin Britten, as well as songs by English composers Michael Head, Ivor Gurney, Thomas Dunhill, and Frank Bridge.

Internationally Acclaimed Tenor, James Valenti will be making his triumphant return tothe Metropolitan Opera located at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City as he takes on the role of Lt. Pinkerton inPuccini's "Madama Butterfly" on April 4, 9, 12 and 15. Valenti has been praised by critics for having a voice of Italianate lustre and is part of the long-standing tradition of great Italian tenors. The sought after 6'5 tenor has built a global reputation for his elegant musicianship, commanding stage presence, ardent vocal style and striking good looks.