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BBC Proms 2011 lineup announced
18 April 2011, London, UK
The BBC has launched this year’s Proms season, which includes three concert performances of operas by Rossini, Handel and Weber.
A highlight will be the Proms premiere of Weber’s Der Freizschütz in its rarely heard French adaptation by Berlioz, featuring the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique under Sir John Eliot Gardiner (Prom 73, 9 September).
Another relative rarity – Rossini’s William Tell – will be conducted by Antonio Pappano. Cast members for this epic performance with Rome’s Orchestra and Chorus of the Academy of Santa Cecilia include the baritone Michele Pertusi as Tell and tenor John Osborn in the challenging role of Arnold (Prom 2, 16 July).
Meanwhile, Glyndebourne Festival Opera returns to the Proms bringing a new production of Handel’s Rinaldo. Ottavio Dantone will conduct the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with contralto Sonia Prina as Rinaldo (Prom 55, 25 July).
There's even something for serious opera lovers on the Last Night, when Susan Bullock perform the immolation scene from Wagner's Götterdämmerung (Prom 74, 10 September).
Roger Wright, Director BBC Proms and Controller BBC Radio 3, says: "Building on the tremendous success of last year's Proms, I hope that our audiences will respond again to the wealth of great music, outstanding artists and new ideas. I am keen to underline the BBC's commitment to funding, organising and broadcasting this great national institution and proud of its unequalled ability to bring the best classical music to such wide audiences."
Onassis' former yacht to host luxury opera cruises
15 April 2011, Cannes, France
Maria Callas
Christina O – the luxury yacht that Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis once used to entertain the world’s most famous and powerful celebrities – is to be used to host an exclusive series of Mediterranean opera cruises in Cannes between 13 and 29 May.
Named after Maria Callas, with whom Onassis conducted a notorious affair for nearly 10 years, each of the evening cruise packages will feature a live theatrical performance inspired by the life of the legendary soprano – including a selection of her signature arias sung by Nelly Miricioiu.
Bringing the glamorous lifestyle of the 1950’s and 60’s jet set to life, tickets for this unique project are priced at €250 per person.
'La Divina': The Maria Callas Experience
Fri 13 / Sat 14 / Sun 15 / Fri 20 / Sat 21 / Sun 22 / Fri 27 / Sat 28 / Sun 29 May 2011
London's Royal Opera House launches 2011-12 season
14 April 2011, London, UK
Antonio Pappano(Photo: Sheila Rock / EMI)
The Royal Opera House has launched its 2011/12 season.
The progamme through the year will be built around a series of opera cycles, starting with Puccini’s three miniatures that make up Il trittico, directed by Richard Jones.
Next comes the three Mozart/Da Ponte operas Le Nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte and Don Giovanni, followed by Berlioz’s epic The Trojans, in a new production directed by David McVicar.
The season is rounded off with complete performances of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, a revival of Keith Warner’s production.
Launching the season, ROH Music Director Antonio Pappano said: “The season culminates in 2012, Olympic year, and I had in mind the five rings on the Olympic flag, which suggested to me that we should do a series of substantial and challenging cycles through the year with the four Ring operas as the conclusion.”
Athens-Epidaurus Festival 2011 dates announced
14 April 2011, Athens, Greece [Updated 18 April 2011]
Epidaurus Theatre(Photo: Hellenic Festival)
The dates for this year’s Athens-Epidaurus Festival have been announced, to be followed by full programme details at the end of April.
The annual festivals are among the most established cultural events in Europe, both taking place in and around spectacular sites from the Classical world.
The Athens Festival stages operas at the Herodion Theatre, a magnificent marble amphitheatre below the Acropolis that was built in AD 161 by the Roman philosopher and teacher, Herodes Atticus, in memory of his wife.
Epidaurus boasts an even more spectacular venue – one of the most perfectly preserved examples of an Ancient Greek amphitheatre, dating from the 4th century BC. Its atmospheric forest setting and superb acoustic make it an excellent venue for opera on a balmy summer’s night in the Peloponnese.
Festival events in will run from 1 June to 20 July (Athens) and 1 July to 6 August (Epidaurus).
Rolando Villazón nominated for two Classical BRIT Awards
12 April 2011, London, UK
Rolando Villazón(Photo: Felix Broede / DG)
Tenor Rolando Villazón and conductor Antonio Pappano have each been nominated for two of this year's Classical BRIT Awards.
Both artists are on the shortlist for best male artist, which also includes a posthumous nomination for the conductor, Sir Charles Mackerras.
Villazón’s second nomination is for best album of the year and Pappano has been shortlisted for the critics’ award.
The best female artist category features no opera singers for the first time in the Awards’ 12-year history.
Tickets are now on sale for the Awards ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 12 May.
- Rolando Villazón
- YouTube - Rolando Villazón performing live at the Classic BRIT Awards 2010
- Rolando Villazón announces his return to the stage
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