Wozzeck aus dem Opernhaus Zürich mit Herr Gerhaher

© Monika Rittershaus

I haven’t had a chance to watch/listen to this new performance of Wozzeck yet—I did do a quick random click-through just to get a taste. But I wanted to call attention to this performance on concert.arte.tv. It looks very interesting—almost a Punch and Judy-like setting. Based on the cast, it should be very well sung.

What is it about Wozzeck that attracts fine Lieder singers?

P.S. Sorry. I couldn't disable the accursed auto-play for this post, so I am settling for posting this link.

The Enchanted Island - Live Online from the Met Tonight

Live broadcast tonight at metoperafamily.org: another opportunity to hear The Enchanted Island.  The broadcast starts at 7:55 Eastern Daylight Time.

Conductor: Patrick Summers 

Ariel: Danielle de Niese 

Miranda: Andriana Chuchman 

Sycorax: Susan Graham 

Prospero: David Daniels 

Ferdinand: Anthony Roth Costanzo 

Neptune: Plácido Domingo 

Caliban: Luca Pisaroni 

And this weekend is the Saturday Matinee broadcast of Wozzeck, this time with Thomas Hampson back in the lead. (Live on many NPR stations.)

As Seen On Facebook – Matthias Goerne Steps in for Thomas Hampson

Thomas Hampson

I am very disappointed to have to cancel tonight’s performance of Wozzeck at the Met due to bronchitis. I hope to be better soon and look forward to singing this challenging genius opera. What great luck that my friend and colleague Matthias Goerne is in town and is willing to add tonight’s performance to his busy schedule. Wishing my wonderful colleagues, Maestro Levine, and the whole Wozzeck team and of course the audience a thrilling opening night. I will miss being there, be sure.

I feel sorry for Mr. Hampson. I know from personal experience that having bronchitis is no fun. And I'm very certain (though I do not have personal experience in this regard) that missing one's role debut as Wozzeck at the Met is extraordinarily disappointing. Best wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery, Mr. Hampson! 

I am sure Thomas Hampson fans holding tickets for tonight's performance were rather disappointed, too. But hopefully they were able to get over it and revel in the opportunity to hear the man who stepped in at very short notice.

It just so happens Matthias Goerne is in New York this week. Last night he sang Die Schöne Müllerin at Carnegie Hall, and last week he sang...you guessed it: Wozzeck...in concert with the Wiener Staatsoper. Herr Goerne is only just an Awesome Wozzeck (and an awesome just about anything he sings!)

It was live streamed on from the Met's website. I got to hear part of it. (in between wi-fi dropouts! Argh!!!) With James Levine conducting and Deborah Voigt, Matthias Goerne, and other fine singers singing, this work sounded lush and nearly romantic! It was an extraordinary performance!

I am so glad I just happened to check my Facebook feed at dinner time tonight!

As seen today on metoperafamily.org (who are very good about keeping their website up to date. He only said yes at around 2:00 PM today!): 

Goerne Steps in as Wozzeck

Matthias Goerne will be singing the title role in tonight's performance of Berg's Wozzeck, replacing Thomas Hampson, who is ill. Deborah Voigt stars as Marie, and Music Director James Levine conducts.

As Seen on Facebook...

This shout-out to Alban Berg by Thomas Hampson, who is preparing his Met role debut:

A rebuttal by David Daniels to a review of the UK version of the recent English Concert Theodora, (he's not participating in the UK/Europe run) and a candid rehearsal photo from Carnegie Hall, featuring our beloved Dorothea Röschmann:

And this from David Bižić (who is starring in Don Giovanni in Vienna with several other artists of interest):

Reminder of Online Operas to be Thankful for (Some for a limited time!)

Video

If you haven't watched La Clemenza di Tito from La Monnaie yet, you have only a few more days to do so. Go watch it. Now!

And, for one day only, the Bayerische Staatsoper's new production of Die Frau Ohne Schatten starting at 6 PM (CET), which is around noon New York time on Sunday, December 1.  

Audio

Next Monday and for seven days thereafter, you can hear the recent Wozzeck from Covent Garden with Simon Keenlyside and Karita Mattila on BBC Radio 3.

Dvorak's Armida is still available for listening (for a few days) at Sveriges Radio, who also have a recent performance of Britten's Gloriana (also Covent Garden, with a cast including Toby Spence and Kate Royal) for about a month. 

Finally, the latest Orfeo ed Euridice from Paris with Franco Fagioli as Orfeo and Malin Hartelius (sigh) as Euridice (yes, it's in Italian, which actually sounded rather odd (but awesome) to me, since the most recent performances I've heard were in French) on francemusique.com. This wonderful performance is available for about four weeks. 

Wo ist Wozzeck? (And Other Videos We'd Like to See)

Simon Keenlyside

So, it's been three days already, and no sign of the Wozzeck webcast. Come on, people! Of course, it might have hit the Toob and already been snatched offline by the vigilant Staatsoper folks. But I won't give up hope. 

Meanwhile, here is a photo from a Don Giovanni performance (also at the BSO) I'd like to have seen/heard. It was taken by Kyle Ketelson and posted at his Skydrive site, along with a whole bunch more photos from the production. If DR in a ski jacket and mask isn't enough for you, you're sure to find something else intriguing when you check out the rest of the photos. 

Dorothea Röschmann 

Here's the enticing cast list:

Don Giovanni Simon Keenlyside
Der Komtur Goran Jurić
Donna Anna Elza van den Heever
Don Ottavio Bernard Richter
Donna Elvira Dorothea Röschmann
Leporello Kyle Ketelsen
Zerlina Laura Tatulescu
Masetto *Tareq Nazmi

(Unfortunately, this was a very short-lived revival: only three performances!)

Meanwhile, there still is time to see a few other operas that are available online. Here are six to choose from:

Donnerstag Duetten mit Dorothea

I have to admit I only downloaded three tracks from Matthias Goerne's 2000 opera recital album. These would be the three that include Dorothea Röschmann as his duet partner. Two are Mozart, in roles she's sung many times elsewhere at better tempi (these feel somewhat rushed.) However, if you've heard Dorothea sing Alban Berg's Der Wein and thought, gee I bet she'd be a good Marie or Lulu, here is an opportunity to sample. This is the Act 3, Scene 2 of Berg's Wozzeck, in which Wozzeck murders Marie. I always think of MG as a little intense, and maybe a bit strange. This is the final track of his CD. Just sayin'...

German text below: