Sofia Fomina

One of Mozarts most enchanting works, Die Zauberflöte is a fairy tale that uses familiar archetypes to ask provocative and difficult questions about religion, the nature of power, the bonds of family, and of course love. Premiered just months before Mozarts death, Die Zauberflöte in many ways represents a new departure for the composer. Catching the spirit of revolution in the air, Mozart turned his attention for the first time from court opera to popular opera, writing this singspiel (sung-play) for a new and much broader audience. Celebrated Canadian directing duo Barbe & Doucet make both their British and Glyndebourne debuts here with their new Die Zauberflöte, a veritable theatrical feast of eccentricity. (The Guardian). Ryan Wigglesworth conducts an outstanding cast including Russian soprano Sofia Fomina as Pamina, David Portillo as her beloved Tamino, Brindley Sherratt as Sarastro, and the ebullient Björn Bürger as Papageno.

Rigoletto, court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s victims for his irreverent laughter. When the Duke seduces Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect… Rigoletto arranges to have the Duke assassinated. But Gilda still loves the womanizing Duke and sacrifices herself in his place. Rigoletto eagerly uncovers the corpse only to find instead his fatally wounded daughter, who dies in his arms.

Meyerbeer is telling at once a small, intimate story – Fidès’s, Jean, and Berthe’s relationship – and an epic drama about tyranny, revolution, and religion; politics, mob violence, and fanaticism.

El nuevo "Ballo in maschera" de Munich ha recibido muchos elogios de la crítica: "Esta producción muestra lo que puede ser una ópera utopía" (Abendzeitung). Diez años después de dejar el cargo de director musical de la Ópera Estatal de Baviera, Zubin Mehta regresó a Múnich en marzo de 2016 para celebrar su 80 cumpleaños dirigiendo la obra maestra de Verdi por primera vez en una producción escénica. Su elenco cuenta con algunos de los mejores cantantes de Verdi de la actualidad: la soprano Anja Harteros, quien canta Amelia por primera vez y 'llenando cada nota con intensidad verdiana', el tenor Piotr Beczala como un 'Riccardo visual y vocalmente elegante' y George Petean como un 'ejemplar'. Renato (Neue Musikzeitung). En la nueva producción súper sensible del director Johannes Erath, esta historia histórica de amor ilícito, conspiración y traición se desarrolla de una manera surrealista, escenario sombrío transformado por iluminación y proyecciones.

Royal Opera House Live Cinema Season 2016/17: Les Contes d'Hoffmann (2016)

The great storyteller Hoffmann is losing himself to drink. His rival in love, Councillor Lindorf, claims that Hoffmann knows nothing of the heart, and so goads Hoffmann into telling the tales of his three great loves – each destroyed by a villain who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lindorf… First Hoffmann tells of his infatuation for the mechanical doll, Olympia – who is destroyed by the inventor Coppélius. Next comes the courtesan Giulietta, who throws over his adoration in favour of jewels from the magician Dappertutto. Finally, the gentle Antonia is forced to sing to her death by the wicked Doctor Miracle. His stories finished, Hoffmann rouses from his drunken stupor to find Lindorf has made off with Stella, Hoffmann’s latest love – but the Muse compels him to transform his heartache into art.

New production. Recorded live at Royal Opera House, July, 05, 2015.