Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Verdi’s 1853 masterpiece La traviata proved once again why the work is the most performed opera in the world year after year; it has got it all: drama, complex characters, memorable tunes, heart wrenching moments, and a reasonable length. The traditional staging was dark Read more…
Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka will soon be playing the mysterious priestess Leïla in Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers at Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Mozart and Rossini expert has an active concert life in addition to her opera performances, and has some exciting house debuts this season. I am thrilled that Marina Read more…
Chicago Opera Theater has done it again: they’ve put together a stellar cast for yet another groundbreaking world premiere. The Invention of Morel, by Stewart Copeland, former drummer for the band The Police, and Jonathan Moore, will be on stage for the first time on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Not Read more…
American soprano Corinne Winters seems to be on the fast track to opera stardom – she’s making major house debuts left and right and transforming some of the great leading ladies – Violetta, Tatyana, and Mimì, to name a few – into her signature roles. Currently Winters is making her Seattle Opera debut Read more…
American tenor Eric Neuville is a fascinating guy all around – he sings opera, writes books, re-engineers vocal labs, and sings in a Grammy Award winning ensemble. He is currently playing Gastone in Seattle Opera’s latest production of Verdi’s masterpiece La traviata, consistently the most performed opera worldwide. Opera Sense Read more…
You may have heard the term recitative when you hear people talk about opera, but what exactly is recitative? This is my definition of recitative – any semi-spoken, semi-sung non-repetitive part of an opera that advances the action. Typically, the earlier the opera is, the easier it is to distinguish between recitative and other operatic sections, such as arias or ensemble pieces.
Don’t just take my word for it; listen to the great Leonard Bernstein talk about recitative…
A few of the “greatest hits” from the operatic repertory:
Overture to Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). While none of the music in the overture returns in the opera itself, it certainly does an excellent job setting the stage for the “day of madness” that is to follow. (more…)