John MacFarlane News

A classic fairytale returns to life as Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel comes to Lyric Opera of Chicago in a universally acclaimed production, back by popular demand for six performances, January 25–February 3, 2023.

As the wrangles continue over the funding of the arts in general – and London opera in particular – up pops David McVicar’s The Magic Flute to show just what the fuss is all about. @royaloperahouse #opera

The Rembrandt Chamber Musicians, Chicago's flagship ensemble covering the full spectrum of classical chamber music, has announced details of its 33rd concert season, 2022-2023, comprising five programs to be performed at venues in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois.

Sarasota Opera announces an added title in its “HD at the Opera House” series with a screening of “Der Rosenkavalier” on Sunday, September 25. This historic Salzburg Festival production stars legendary soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Sarasota Opera also rescheduled a film of Verdi's Rigoletto to September 11 (from May) with tickets for these “HD at the Opera House” films on sale for $22, and $20 for Sarasota Opera subscribers.  

This month, join The Royal Ballet for its sumptuous production of Swan Lake, relayed LIVE to cinemas across the globe. The production returns to the Royal Opera House Main Stage after its 2020 revival run was cut short due to the pandemic, and will close the 2021/22 Cinema Season. 

Sarasota Opera has announced the lineup for the 2022 summer movie series: HD at the Opera House and Classic Movies at the Opera House. HD at the Opera House featuring filmed performances of opera and ballet from around the world will open on Sunday, May 22nd at 1:30 p.m. with Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London, with tickets at $22, and $20 for Sarasota Opera subscribers.

​Some nights at Covent Garden feel heavy with a sense of occasion and this particular performance of Swan Lake, taking place a week after opening night, was certainly one of them. Liam Scarlett’s Swan Lake is not even 4 years old as a production in the Royal Ballet’s repertoire but it already has history. Tragically, Scarlett took his own life last year after allegations of sexual misconduct that were never upheld. This run of his interpretation was on it’s second outing in March 2020 and has some particular unfinished business with a sweep of exciting debuts still to be enjoyed over the course of performances which run until May. Two of those debuts are from young Principals Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Marcelino Sambé, and what a memorable pairing they are.

This Spring, join The Royal Ballet for its sumptuous production of Swan Lake, returning to the Royal Opera House after its 2020 revival was cut short due to the pandemic.  

This Spring, join The Royal Ballet for its sumptuous production of Swan Lake, returning to the Royal Opera House after its 2020 revival was cut short due to the pandemic. Get a first look a the cast in rehearsals in an all new video.

This Spring, join The Royal Ballet for its sumptuous production of Swan Lake, returning to the Royal Opera House after its 2020 revival was cut short due to the pandemic.  

What is there to say about Puccini’s TOSCA that hasn’t been said in the last hundred-plus years since its premiere in Rome (to echo the locations in the opera)? It is a marvel of brevity, with librettists Illica and Giacosa shaving locations, characters and action from the original play, written by the French dramatist Victorien Sardou for the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt, without sacrificing its impact. It has a gorgeous score, but for a grand opera, it is also quite intimate, with the action mainly revolving around three characters who carry their emotions on their sleeves and interact like their lives depend on it.

The Royal Opera House will continue its first full Season since 2019 with a selection of world class productions throughout 2022, showcasing the very best of opera and ballet.  In anticipation of the new year, here are a selection of upcoming world premieres and classic revivals from The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet.

Adapting one of the greatest tragedies written by his hero, Shakespeare, Verdi created a stunning portrait of the most power-hungry couple who ever trod a stage. Macbeth's bloody ascent to the throne of Scotland — led and supported by his wife's own consuming ambition — results in disaster for them both.

Today the Royal Opera House is delighted to launch its 2021/22 international Cinema Season after sixteen months of closure, broadcasting the best of ballet and opera to more than 2,000 screens across the globe.   

In a rare opportunity for opera fans and sartorial mavens, San Francisco Opera will offer costumes previously worn by artists on the War Memorial Opera House stage to the general public for just one weekend.

Birmingham Royal Ballet looks a lot different today than it did ten years ago when this performance for David Bintleya??s Cinderella was filmed. A return to a familiar classic makes for heartwarming quarantine viewing, as well as an opportunity to watch fine dancers who have since retired.

Currently, on the Los Angeles Opera website you can hear Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville.' Music Director James Conlon conducts baritone Rodion Pogossov as Figaro, mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong as Rosina, and tenor René Barbera as Count Almaviva.

The Chicago area's 47th annual Bach Week Festival has announced details of its 2020 season of concerts in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, May 1 to May 30, 2020, including the Baroque music festival's first mainstage period-instrument program and its first concert in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood, among other events.

Enough words have been given to the controversy surrounding this run of Liam Scarlett's Swan Lake, its first revival since a largely triumphant premiere in 2018. I don't wish to dwell further here, and instead want to focus on what was one of the most memorable nights at the theatre in quite some time thanks to some virtuoso central performances, a faultless corps de ballet, and the transporting set and costumes of John Macfarlane.

The 2019-2020 season of The Met: Live in HD will continue Saturday, March 14 with Wagner's DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER at 12:55 pm in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. The 2019-2020 season is sponsored by Viron Rondo Osteria. A complimentary 45 minute pre-opera lecture by Dr, Marguerite Mullée will be offered in the Studio Theatre Lobby two hours before the broadcast, sponsored by Land Rover Hartford.