Ambroise Thomas News

Richard Eyre, the renowned British director of theater and film, explores the passionate drama of Bizet's Carmen and the power of her desires in his new production at the Metropolitan Opera, which premieres on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances at the Met series. 'Her sexuality is a life force, it's a defining force,' he explains.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of GeneralDirector Plácido Domingo, has announced that American coloratura soprano Elizabeth Futral will sing the role of Ophelia in all performances of the company's upcoming production of Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet, May 19 to June 4 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Award-winning composer CAROL HALL'S beloved classic 'JENNY REBECCA' received a prolonged and extremely enthusiastic ovation at FREDERICA von STADE'S farewell New York concert this Thursday evening, April 22nd at Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.

Strauss's comic masterpiece of love and intrigue in 18th-century Vienna stars Renée Fleming as the aristocratic Marschallin and Susan Graham in the trouser role of her young lover Octavian. Edo De Waart conducts a cast that includes Christine Schäfer as Sophie, Eric Cutler as the Italian singer, Thomas Allen as Faninal, and Kristinn Sigmundsson as Baron Ochs.

On Thursday, April 22 at 8:00 p.m., acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, with pianist Martin Katz, sings her New York farewell concert in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. Her varied program includes works by some of the greatest contemporary and 20th century American composers: Ned Rorem, Jake Heggie, Virgil Thomson, Aaron Copland, Lee Hoiby, Leonard Bernstein, Carol Hall, William Bolcom, and Stephen Sondheim.

Award-winning composer CAROL HALL'S beloved classic 'JENNY REBECCA' will be featured in FREDERICA Von STADE'S farewell New York recital this Thursday evening, April 22nd at Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at 8:00pm.

Richard Eyre, the renowned British director of theater and film, explores the passionate drama of Bizet's Carmen and the power of her desires in his new production at the Metropolitan Opera, which premieres on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances at the Met series. 'Her sexuality is a life force, it's a defining force,' he explains.

Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet returns to the Met stage for its first performances since 1897, with the powerful pairing of Simon Keenlyside in the title role and Marlis Petersen as Ophélie. Keenlyside's acclaimed interpretation of Hamlet in Geneva, London and Barcelona finally arrives in the United States, with a performance in the Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser production that was hailed by the British press as 'magnificent . . . sheer vocal genius.' Petersen, who steps in for Natalie Dessay, brings her haunting portrayal of Ophélie to the Met; she earned praise for the role during a 2006 run of Hamlet in Düsseldorf. Louis Langrée conducts a cast that includes Jennifer Larmore as Gertrude, Toby Spence in his Met debut as Laërte, and James Morris in the role of Claudius. Jane Archibald, in her Met debut, sings the role of Ophélie on April 5 and 9. The creative team is rounded out by Christian Fenouillat with set designs, Agostino Cavalca with costume designs, and Christophe Forey with lighting designs, all in their Met debuts. Performances run through April 9, with the March 27 matinee shown worldwide as part of The Met: Live in HD

Strauss's comic masterpiece of love and intrigue in 18th-century Vienna stars Renée Fleming as the aristocratic Marschallin and Susan Graham in the trouser role of her young lover Octavian. Edo De Waart conducts a cast that includes Christine Schäfer as Sophie, Eric Cutler as the Italian singer, Thomas Allen as Faninal, and Kristinn Sigmundsson as Baron Ochs.

Washington National Opera (WNO), under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo, presents the company premiere of Ambroise Thomas' rarely performed masterpiece Hamlet in seven performances, May 19 to June 4 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

In an incredible feat of technology, Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 played host to yet another cultural first last night, with a live, high-definition screening of ‘Hamlet' - the opera by Ambroise Thomas. Live from New York City, The Metropolitan Opera's new production drew an audience of UAE opera fans.

When we think of operatic adaptations of Shakespeare, they all seem to come from Verdi: Otello, Macbeth, and Falstaff. Hundreds more have been attempted, but most are deemed failures, unable to translate the complexity of Shakespeare's plots into music.

The Metropolitan Opera's new production of Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, conducted by Met Music Director James Levine and directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, premieres on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances at the Met series.

The Shakespeare Society (Michael Sexton, Artistic Director) has announced that Songs for Ophelia, a special one-night-only collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera (which is currently presenting Amboise Thomas' Hamlet), will take place on Monday, March 22 at 7:00pm at Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95 Street.

Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet returns to the Met stage for its first performances since 1897, with the powerful pairing of Simon Keenlyside in the title role and Marlis Petersen as Ophélie. Keenlyside's acclaimed interpretation of Hamlet in Geneva, London and Barcelona finally arrives in the United States, with a performance in the Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser production that was hailed by the British press as 'magnificent . . . sheer vocal genius.' Petersen, who steps in for Natalie Dessay, brings her haunting portrayal of Ophélie to the Met; she earned praise for the role during a 2006 run of Hamlet in Düsseldorf. Louis Langrée conducts a cast that includes Jennifer Larmore as Gertrude, Toby Spence in his Met debut as Laërte, and James Morris in the role of Claudius. Jane Archibald, in her Met debut, sings the role of Ophélie on April 5 and 9. The creative team is rounded out by Christian Fenouillat with set designs, Agostino Cavalca with costume designs, and Christophe Forey with lighting designs, all in their Met debuts. Performances run through April 9, with the March 27 matinee shown worldwide as part of The Met: Live in HD

Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet returns to the Met stage for its first performances since 1897, with the powerful pairing of Simon Keenlyside in the title role and Marlis Petersen as Ophélie. Keenlyside's acclaimed interpretation of Hamlet in Geneva, London and Barcelona finally arrives in the United States, with a performance in the Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser production that was hailed by the British press as 'magnificent . . . sheer vocal genius.' Petersen, who steps in for Natalie Dessay, brings her haunting portrayal of Ophélie to the Met; she earned praise for the role during a 2006 run of Hamlet in Düsseldorf. Louis Langrée conducts a cast that includes Jennifer Larmore as Gertrude, Toby Spence in his Met debut as Laërte, and James Morris in the role of Claudius. Jane Archibald, in her Met debut, sings the role of Ophélie on April 5 and 9. The creative team is rounded out by Christian Fenouillat with set designs, Agostino Cavalca with costume designs, and Christophe Forey with lighting designs, all in their Met debuts. Performances run through April 9, with the March 27 matinee shown worldwide as part of The Met: Live in HD

When we think of operatic adaptations of Shakespeare, they all seem to come from Verdi: Otello, Macbeth, and Falstaff. Hundreds more have been attempted, but most are deemed failures, unable to translate the complexity of Shakespeare's plots into music.

The Metropolitan Opera's new production of Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, conducted by Met Music Director James Levine and directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, premieres on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances at the Met series.

Washington National Opera has released its calendar of Spring 2010 events.

Award-winning filmmaker Susan Froemke looks at the intense pressures young opera singers face as they struggle to succeed in one of the difficult professions in the performing arts in The Audition.