The Metropolitan Opera may have pretty much turned opening night over to the glamorous Anna Netrebko, but New Year's Eve belongs to a very different diva _ Joyce DiDonato.
Opera-goers attending Salzburg Festival's new production of Puccini's "La Boheme" expected the worst when the man with the microphone stepped out, shortly before show-time _ but then came the good news. Piotr Beczala, who had received rave reviews at last week's premiere, had lost his voice, they were told, but instead of the show being stripped of its star performer, his voice would be replaced by one of the hottest names in opera today.
On paper, it reads like the operatic equivalent of Mission Impossible: Take over the taxing title role of Donizetti's "Anna Bolena" right after Russian superstar Anna Netrebko has completed a run of seven sold-out performances.
The new artistic director of the Salzburg Festival has unusual plans _ he wants most operas performed there to be new productions.
The new artistic director of the Salzburg Festival has unusual plans _ he wants most operas performed there to be new productions.
Kneeling on stage after completing a heart-rending aria about her childhood home, Anna Netrebko felt the tumultuous applause wash over her _ and smiled.
Two of the biggest stars of New York's Metropolitan Opera have bowed out of a Japan tour, citing fears of radioactive contamination and sending the company scrambling to find last-minute stand-ins.
Two of the biggest stars of New York's Metropolitan Opera have bowed out of a Japan tour, citing fears of radioactive contamination and sending the company scrambling to find last-minute stand-ins.
Two of the biggest stars of New York's Metropolitan Opera have bowed out of a Japan tour, citing fears of radioactive contamination and sending the company scrambling to find last-minute stand-ins.
