Author: arts-NY

Opera in HD: Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera

arts-NY

Opera in HD: Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi’s masterpiece about a court jester Rigoletto

Stream from anywhere on Saturday, May 16, 2020

A scene from Rigoletto by Verdi at the Metropolitan Opera
A scene from Rigoletto by Verdi at the Metropolitan Opera; photo by Marty Sohl

Rigoletto in Las-Vegas? Verdi’s extremely popular opera set to a powerful play by Victor Hugo seems to be destined for any epoch and impervious to the time and place transformations. With an ever-relevant fable and beloved arias widely familiar to opera fans and recognizable to those new to the genre, this opera is a time-tested favorite of every opera house.

Shifted to Las Vegas in the 1960s, Michael Mayer’s 2013 production of Rigoletto gets a modern look while telling the same centuries-old story of corruption, evil, and love. While the power of the old man curse put at the center of the tale seems less believable in the 20th century, the dirty intrigues and the ruthlessness of the lonely figures doing shady business look rather plausible.

For the free streaming on Saturday, May 16, 2020, Met Opera selected the production performance on February 16, 2013 with Zeljko Lucic as Rigoletto, Diana Damrau as Gilda, Piotr Beczala as Duke; Michele Mariotti conducts.

 

STREAM NOW

 

Stay in the know about future events and offers by subscribing to ARTS-NY newsletter  

 

Read More

Opera in HD: Verdi’s Aida at the Met Opera

arts-NY

Opera in HD: Verdi’s Aida at the Met Opera

Monumental Met Opera production of a timeless masterpiece by Verdi with the incomparable Leontyne Price in the title role and historic star-studded cast recorded in 1985

Stream from home on May 1, 2020  

A scene from Verdi's Aida at MetOpera; Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera
A scene from Verdi’s Aida at MetOpera; Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera

Verdi’s Aida, the ultimate Grand Opera, is a highlight of every opera season. The grandeur of the music calls for an equally magnificent cast.

The live recording of Aida in January of 1985 was Price’s farewell to the opera world which, brought historic significance to the event. The role of Amneris was performed by Fiorenza Cossotto with James McCracken as Radames and James Levine conducting.

The stage design recreates the pompous style of the Old Kingdom architecture in all its sumptuousness. The production director matched the decor with hundreds of performers including four horses, two brass choirs, ballet dancers, and supernumeraries trooping the stage. It all aims to convey the might and power of Egypt’s Pharaoh. And it surely fulfills the intent. That state omnipotence is skillfully contrasted against the lonely and touching scenes of soul-searching, love, and despair. This is the theater in all its might with its tricks finely brought together for the joy of the opera fans.

You can stream Aida from home on May 1, 2020.             STREAM NOW

 

Stay in the know about future events and offers by subscribing to ARTS-NY newsletter   

 

Read More

Music in NYC: Eliran Avni, piano and Natasha Farny, cello in GetClassical Recital

arts-NY

Music in NYC: Eliran Avni, Piano and Natasha Farny, Cello in GetClassical Recital

The concert on March 17 is cancelled 

GetClassical Salon Series presents Ekstasis Duo, Eliran Avni, piano and Natasha Farny, cello in a program Women’s Voices, music by female composers on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 7 pm at St. John’s in the Village Church in New York City. 

Ekstasis Duo: Elian Avni, piano, Natasha Farny, cello
Ekstasis Duo: Elian Avni, piano, Natasha Farny, cello / Photo credit Nir Arieli, Lori Deemer

In celebration of Women’s Month, GetClassical and Ekstasis Duo present Women’s Voices, a program of music that was written by female composers. Positioned in loose chronological order, the program starts with the mid-19th century works by Louise Farrenc and Clara Schumann which are followed by the contemporary classical scores by Judith Taafe Zwilich and Lera Auerbach. A jazzy arrangement for piano and cello by Kaufman as an hommage to Nina Simone tops the night.

A recently formed Ekstasis Duo of musicians, Eliran Avny, piano, and Natasha Farny, cello combine their passion and dexterity for this exciting music night at the Revelation Gallery at St. John’s in the Village Church in New York City. Graduates of the Julliard School of Music, Avni and Farny artistic partnership brings the lesser-known music and the masterpieces to the wider public. The program at the GetClassical recital on March 17, 2020 successfully underscores this mission.

Women’s Voices Program 

Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) – Sonata in B-flat Major, op. 46, I. Allegro moderato
Clara Schumann (1819-1896) – Three Romances, op. 22
Lera Auerbach (1973 – ) – Preludes (1999)
Judith Taafe Zwilich (1939 – ) – Lament (2000)
Ethel Smyth (1858-1944) – Sonata in A minor, op. 5
Hommage à Nina Simone arr. D. Kaufman

 

Enjoy an inspiring concert and get up close with the musicians in a warm and comfortable salon-style seating arrangement at the gallery.

 

Online prices: $25; At the door prices: $35 (cash only)           BUY TICKETS

 

Stay in the know about future events and offers by subscribing to ARTS-NY newsletter     

 

 

Read More

Opera in NYC: Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera

arts-NY 1 Comment

Opera in NYC: Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera

Performances have been cancelled through March 31, 2020

Love, idealism, and ruse in a thrilling drama by Giacomo Puccini

Returning to the MetOpera in the Spring 2020 with Anna Netrebko and Jennifer Rowley alternating in the title role; performances start from March 26, 2020 

Scene from act I of Pucinni's Tosca at MetOpera
Act I of David McVicar’s new production of Puccini’s “Tosca”;photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

A superb production of Puccini’s Tosca by Sir David McVicar at the Met Opera, which has premiered in the 2017-2018 season, offers a grand theatrical experience for the opera fans. The performances are restarting from March 26, 2020. This season the production features an extraordinary cast of singers with a forceful presence on stage. Two opera divas, Anna Netrebko and Jennifer Rowley are sharing the title role with Najmiddin Mavlyanov and Brian Jagde singing Cavaradossi, and George Gagnidze and Michael Volle alternating as Scarpias. Maestro Bertrand de Billy is conducting.

The set and costume design for this production is done by John Macfarlane, who as a painter is adding to the depth of the characters through the rich design of the decorations and the period costumes. McVicar’s production which a review by AP describes as “similar to Zeffirelli’s” is replacing a spare modern staging of Tosca by Luc Bondy which was not warmly received by the Met opera buffs. Get tickets at 20% off ; from $30.

BUY TICKETS

 

Stay in the know about future events and offers by subscribing to ARTS-NY newsletter   

Read More