The New Generation Festival in Florence announces 2020 programme including La Cenerentola
Introducing a budding cast of tomorrow’s stars in Rossini’s magical La Cenerentola, the 4th edition of the New Generation Festival returns from 26-29 August, hosting opera, jazz and concerts in the charming ornamental gardens of Florence’s Palazzo Corsini al Prato. From September 2020, a new Mascarade Opera Studio will be established on the site, providing emerging singers with a 9-month residency tailor- made to their needs.
Read more250th anniversary of the Opéra Royal in Versailles celebrated on 16 May 2020 with a Louis XIV spectacle
Château de Versailles Spectacles celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Opéra Royal on 16 May 2020 with a gala performance of Le Ballet Royal de la Nuit, a musical reproduction of Louis XIV’s balletic prowess with operatic excerpts from Cavalli, Rossi, Boësset and Lambert. Exactly 250 years ago to the day, the opera house was inaugurated during the 1770 wedding feasts of Marie-Antoinette to the Dauphin Louis XVI with a performance of Lully’s Persée. This season also celebrates the 350th anniversary of the Académie Royale de Musique, founded by Louis XIV.
Read moreScandinavian premiere of Nadia Boulanger’s La ville morte given by the Göteborg Opera on International Women’s Day
Göteborg Opera presents Nadia Boulanger’s only opera La ville morte on International Women’s Day, Sunday 8 March, in the second ever performance of the great educator's work. The Göteborg Opera Orchestra is conducted by Anna-Maria Helsing in a concert performance of the four-act La ville morte, Boulanger’s most significant work, which was written in collaboration with pianist and mentor Raoul Pugno to a libretto by Gabriele D’Annunzio. The cast including Katarina Karnéus as Hébé, Matilda Paulsson as Anne, Markus Pettersson as Léonard and Anton Ljungqvist as Alexandre.
Read moreThe World of Ernest Bloch: Masterclasses, Discussion, Gala Concert
The music of Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch is remarkably diverse and was regularly performed in his lifetime. It revealed influences of Swiss, Chinese, Native American, American immigrant and Jewish musics. He also embraced Gregorian Chant, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Neoromantic idioms. Three internationally acclaimed musicians, violinist Miriam Kramer, violist Rivka Golani and cellist Raphael Wallfisch, all recognised as fine exponents of his works, will lead the celebration of the 140th anniversary of his birth.
Read moreBeethoven’s overlooked contemporaries celebrated in a six-concert chamber series curated by Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra cellist Mats Lidström
Pairing chamber works by Beethoven with those of his contemporaries, a six-concert chamber series curated by cellist Mats Lidström uncovers the overlooked music that surrounded and influenced the great composer during his lifetime. The Beethoven and his Colleagues recital series takes place in Oxford’s Holywell Music Room over two weekends, 6-7 March and 27-29 November, and is part of the year-long Oxford Beethoven Festival 2020, created by Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, where Lidström holds the position of Solo Cello.
Read moreMaxim Vengerov celebrates 40 years on stage at the Royal Albert Hall and partners with IDAGIO to release exclusive recordings
World-renowned virtuoso violinist Maxim Vengerov marks 40 Years on Stage in 2020 with a Gala Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, with guests Martha Argerich and Mischa Maisky joining the violinist in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. Leading up to his celebratory concert, the multi award-winning violinist will release new recordings exclusively on IDAGIO, in a new partnership announced with the classical streaming service.
Read moreCounter-tenor Damien Guillon releases new Stradella recording with his ensemble Le Banquet Céleste before their UK debut
Counter-tenor Damien Guillon and his French early music ensemble Le Banquet Céleste make their UK debut at St John’s Smith Square as part of the London Festival of Baroque Music on 22 May. Conducted by Damien Guillon, the group’s latest recording – Stradella’s San Giovanni Battista – is released on Alpha on 27 March. As counter- tenor, Guillon tours in the St. John Passion with Masaaki Suzuki and Bach Collegium Japan across Europe from 6 – 25 March, and the St. Matthew Passion with Philippe Herreweghe and Collegium Vocale Gent from 4 – 11 April.
Read moreBaroque au Féminin: Itinéraire Baroque celebrates female composers in 2020 Festival
The intimate Itinéraire Baroque Festival and Artistic Director Ton Koopman announce a 2020 programme championing an intrepid range of Baroque gems in historic churches across the French Dordogne. Set in the picturesque medieval villages and towns of the Périgord Vert, the 19th annual Festival runs over an extended summer weekend from Thursday 30 July – Sunday 2 August. Among the eclectic topics celebrated in the 2020 Festival are the musical contributions of women as composers and patrons, including Archduchess Isabella Clara Eugenia, Chiara Margerita Cozzolani and Maria Xaveria Perucona.
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