News
06.09.2022
„Rusalka“ – finally revised. The new Urtext Edition of Dvorák’s Opera
The new edition of Antonín Dvoráks masterwork presents not a “new” Rusalka – conductors, performers, and audiences will find the same Czech masterpiece that has been enjoyed for over 100 years but the oprea in its definitive form, with all practical and musicological issues considered, well-documented, and clearly presented. »more«
06.09.2022
Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” from Bärenreiter
Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” is probably the most frequently-performed Russian opera. But its success was not assured from the outset. Now this stagework is being published by Bärenreiter in an edition reflecting the latest state of research, taking into consideration the somewhat complicated history of its composition. The new edition finally clears up the many mistakes and inconsistencies in the previous editions of the score. It follows the 1885 St Petersburg version which can be regarded as the final authorised version since Tchaikovsky prepared it for the second edition of the score published by Jürgenson in 1891. »more«
02.06.2022
Donizetti’s “Caterina Cornaro” at the Klangvokal Musikfestival Dortmund
It is hard to believe, but Gaetano Donizetti’s lyrical tragedy, premiered in 1844 in Naples, has never before been performed in a German opera house. The story deals with the Queen of Cyprus, who came from a noble Venetian family, and the work is full of entrancingly beautiful, almost soulful music. »more«
02.06.2022
First performance of the tenor version of Thomas’s “Hamlet”
Ambroise Thomas initially conceived the role of Hamlet for high male voice, and wrote the first sketches in the tenor clef. When it became known that the charismatic singer-actor Jean-Baptiste Faure was to play the part of Hamlet, the composer adapted the existing music for bass-baritone. »more«
02.06.2022
„Il Xerse“ by Francesco Cavalli at the Festival della Valle d’Itria
83 years before George Frideric Handel’s opera „Serse“ was premiered, Francesco Cavalli had opened his dramma per musica „Il Xerse“ with the very same verses. The work very probably received its first performance on 12 January 1655 in Venice. The text was by Cavalli’s preferred librettist Nicolò Minato, whose work was revised by Silvio Stampiglia, the version also used by Handel. »more«
03.06.2022
Rameau’s masonic opera “Zoroastre” in the 1756 version
Despite optimal production conditions and context, the premiere in 1749 was not a success. Only with the second fundamentally revised version of his “Zoroastre” did Jean-Philippe Rameau win the affections of the public. »more«
03.06.2022
Summer 2022: important premieres and first performances
Two new works by Beat Furrer are scheduled for June 2022. “mirando” for countertenor and contrabass clarinet will be performed at the Schlossmediale Werdenberg, Switzerland, on 11 June, and in Kassel, the “Brandneu” Festival focusses on a whole series of premieres for the new Rieger organ at St. Martin’s Church (photo).
