Guth/Cosi Redeux – La Scala 2014

There are some opera productions we get to see over and over on video (a certain very elaborate La Boheme, for example). But this is the first time that I’ve seen a second video version of a Claus Guth Mozart production. 

It seems Herr Guth has done some rethinking, so comparisons should be interesting. However, this is not that post. This is the post that calls attention to the videos to make sure my fellow Guth fans and fellow Mozart fans (and fellow Guth/Mozart fans) check out this 2014 La Scala iteration of this Cosi fan tutte that originated in Salzburg.

As Seen on Facebook – Opera Colleague, Fan, or Stalker?

OK to be fair, this is not new news. JDD posted this photo last fall. But when one of my favorite bass-baritones appears to be stalking one of my (and the world's) favorite mezzo-sopranos, who can resist sharing this classic photo? (Don’t you just want to go out for pizza and a beer with these two crazy kids?)

Is @lucapisaroni stalking @joycedidonato ?

Does @catecool know about her husband's mezzo-mania? 

Thomas Hampson Takes Manhattan (School of Music Master Class)

Well, the Thomas Hampson's 2015 Julliard Master Class sessions are not posted yet (com'on Julliard! We're waiting!) but the Manhattan School of Music is on the ball with their recent...oh wait, these are from his 2014 classes. sigh

Well, anyway,  we have two students; plus his opening comments about digital arts education. (I haven't watched the singers yet, just the opening remarks. But I am sure the classes will be wonderful. I hope it doesn't take a whole year for the 2015 classes to crop up on YouTube!)

Another JDD Master Class Coming Soon to Computer Near You

From the medici.tv website:

As part of her Perspectives residency, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato mentors four young opera singers over the course of three days...

The singers will alternately work on operatic arias, including masterpieces by Mozart (Don Giovanni, La Clemenza di Tito, Le Nozze di Figaro) and Handel (Serse, Giulio Cesare).

The classes take place at 2 PM U.S. Eastern time on February 21, 22, and 23.

Meanwhile, for my four readers who haven't seen this yet, check out Joyce singing at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. 

Heut oder Morgen (or in a week or so) – Der Glyndenkavalier

We can still see the Glyndebourne Rosenkavalier for a few more weeks at concert.arte.tv. It will be gone soon. Not today or tomorrow, but well...March 2. So if you haven't seen it, do make time to do so—today, or tomorrow, or soon. Or, if you've already seen it, watch it again—with French or German subtitles. 

La Clemenza di Tito @ L'Opera National du Rhin

Another Clemenza di Tito?  YAY!  It looks like an interesting production, in which I am certain "...dans lequel on ne s'ennuie pas une seconde…" Of course, no opera lover I know could ever be bored with any performance of Clemenza. There's always something to see or listen to! 

Stéphanie d'Oustrac' Sesto  should be pretty amazing; and this blogger is a big David Bižić fan. Two things I particularly love about the second video below: (1) Publio trying to fingerprint Sesto during the "Vieni!" trio; (2) the harpsichord tuning in the background of one interview. It says, "Hey folks, we are in the Opera House!" 

I'm glad francetv is publicizing this production. D'ya think they'll broadcast it? 

One can only hope that someone will. 

Tito Benjamin Bruns 
Vitellia Jacquelyn Wagner 
Sesto Stéphanie d'Oustrac 
Servilia Chiara Skerath 
Annio Anna Radziejewska
Publio David Bižić

Chœurs de l'Opéra National du Rhin
Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse 

Direction musicale Andreas Spering 

Mise en scène Katharina Thoma 
Décors Julia Müer 
Costumes Irina Bartels 
Lumières Olaf Winter

LeporelloGram Tomorrow from the Met, Courtesy of Luca Pisaroni

If you haven't already signed up for Instagram to follow Joyce DiDonato (she's who finally drew me over to the dark side) here's another good reason to give it a try:

Luca Pisaroni

3 hrs · 

I’ll take over The Metropolitan Opera's Instagram account tomorrow and will post behind-the-scenes glimpses of Don Giovanni, my daily rituals on the days of a show... http://instagram.com/metopera ‪#‎LeporelloGram‬