Rene Pape
Latest News on Rene Pape:
BWW Review: The Met's Short Version of BORIS is Good-Enough for Me (Sep 30, 2021)
BWW Feature: ONLINE VIRTUAL OPERA TOUR at Home Computer Screens (Dec 26, 2020)
BWW Review: Met's Round-the-World, At-Home Gala Proves 'Music is Nutrition for Our Souls' (Apr 26, 2020)
BWW Review: The Met's Short Version of BORIS is Good-Enough for Me (Sep 30, 2021)
BWW Feature: ONLINE VIRTUAL OPERA TOUR at Home Computer Screens (Dec 26, 2020)
BWW Review: Met's Round-the-World, At-Home Gala Proves 'Music is Nutrition for Our Souls' (Apr 26, 2020)
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BWW Review: The Met's Short Version of BORIS is Good-Enough for Me
The Lady or the Tiger? In this case, both are Mussorgsky’s BORIS GODUNOV—just different versions of it. Which is the preferred one? (Or, more properly, “the preferred one of several,” including one that the composer’s friend, Rimsky Korsakov, fiddled with after his death.) The Met chose Mussorgsky's original, and shorter, version for its revival of the composer's most famous opera this season.
The Lady or the Tiger? In this case, both are Mussorgsky’s BORIS GODUNOV—just different versions of it. Which is the preferred one? (Or, more properly, “the preferred one of several,” including one that the composer’s friend, Rimsky Korsakov, fiddled with after his death.) The Met chose Mussorgsky's original, and shorter, version for its revival of the composer's most famous opera this season.
BWW Feature: ONLINE VIRTUAL OPERA TOUR at Home Computer Screens
Los Angeles Opera has a wealth of operatic and recital material on its website page On Now. A must see link is the company’s inaugural event, the virtual company premiere of The Anonymous Lover, an unjustly neglected 1780 chamber opera by Joseph Bologne, better known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
Los Angeles Opera has a wealth of operatic and recital material on its website page On Now. A must see link is the company’s inaugural event, the virtual company premiere of The Anonymous Lover, an unjustly neglected 1780 chamber opera by Joseph Bologne, better known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
BWW Review: Met's Round-the-World, At-Home Gala Proves 'Music is Nutrition for Our Souls'
In the midst of this COVID-19 crisis that is gripping the world--and keeping so many people in quarantine--the Metropolitan Opera managed to pull off a brilliantly executed music coup. It connected stars, chorus members and orchestral musicians in an “At-Home Gala”--a combination fund-raiser for the Met with wonderful entertainment. And the technology worked!
In the midst of this COVID-19 crisis that is gripping the world--and keeping so many people in quarantine--the Metropolitan Opera managed to pull off a brilliantly executed music coup. It connected stars, chorus members and orchestral musicians in an “At-Home Gala”--a combination fund-raiser for the Met with wonderful entertainment. And the technology worked!
Preview: Virtually Fabulous--or Fabulously Virtual--Met's Gala In-Home Event from New York to Tbilisi, Paris to Moscow at 1pm EDT, April 25
For all you lovelorn, “live opera”-lovers, the Met is coming to the rescue from COVID-19 this afternoon, Saturday April 25, at 1pm New York time, with a gala concert featuring over 40 artists performing direct from their homes around the world.
For all you lovelorn, “live opera”-lovers, the Met is coming to the rescue from COVID-19 this afternoon, Saturday April 25, at 1pm New York time, with a gala concert featuring over 40 artists performing direct from their homes around the world.
BWW Interview: MEFISTOFELE is a Devil of a Hat-Trick for the Met's Rising Star Christian Van Horn
I caught up with rising star bass-baritone Christian Van Horn the other day, to find out what the devil was going on with his starring role in the Met's first performance of Arrigo Boito's MEFISTOFELE in almost 20 years. Were you nervous as hell (pun intended) on the first night, I asked Van Horn, winner of this year's prestigious Richard Tucker Award, in your role as the Devil?
I caught up with rising star bass-baritone Christian Van Horn the other day, to find out what the devil was going on with his starring role in the Met's first performance of Arrigo Boito's MEFISTOFELE in almost 20 years. Were you nervous as hell (pun intended) on the first night, I asked Van Horn, winner of this year's prestigious Richard Tucker Award, in your role as the Devil?
BWW Review: Parsing PARSIFAL at the Met, with an Impressive Cast under Nezet-Seguin
Richard Wagner's last opera, PARSIFAL, is a tough nut to crack. With its highly religious overtones, lack of action and incredible length (it ran about 5 hours 40 minutes the other night), it's not exactly a 'light night' at the opera--even if for those of us who consider opera to be a 'light night'. Still, with the right cast and conductor, it can be transcendent. The Met's new revival came pretty close to getting us there.
Richard Wagner's last opera, PARSIFAL, is a tough nut to crack. With its highly religious overtones, lack of action and incredible length (it ran about 5 hours 40 minutes the other night), it's not exactly a 'light night' at the opera--even if for those of us who consider opera to be a 'light night'. Still, with the right cast and conductor, it can be transcendent. The Met's new revival came pretty close to getting us there.
Photo Flash: Yannick Nezet-Seguin Conducts Wagner's PARSIFAL
Klaus Florian Vogt will sing the title role in the first revival of one of the most acclaimed Met productions in recent years, Wagner's final opera, Parsifal, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and directed by François Girard.
Klaus Florian Vogt will sing the title role in the first revival of one of the most acclaimed Met productions in recent years, Wagner's final opera, Parsifal, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and directed by François Girard.
Mozart's DIE ZAUBERFLOTE to Fly Back to The Metropolitan Opera This Month
Met Music Director Emeritus James Levine conducts one of his signature pieces, Mozart's final opera, Die Zauberflote, which returns to the Met September 26 for full-length performances in German.
Met Music Director Emeritus James Levine conducts one of his signature pieces, Mozart's final opera, Die Zauberflote, which returns to the Met September 26 for full-length performances in German.
Mozart's DIE ZAUBERFLOTE to Fly Back to The Metropolitan Opera This Month
Met Music Director Emeritus James Levine conducts one of his signature pieces, Mozart's final opera, Die Zauberflote, which returns to the Met September 26 for full-length performances in German.
Met Music Director Emeritus James Levine conducts one of his signature pieces, Mozart's final opera, Die Zauberflote, which returns to the Met September 26 for full-length performances in German.
BWW Review: The Agony and Ecstasy of the Met's New TRISTAN UND ISOLDE
For the sheer magnitude of its singing, there hasn't been anything like the Met's ecstatic new production of TRISTAN UND ISOLDE--seen a week after it opened the season on September 26--in a very long time.
For the sheer magnitude of its singing, there hasn't been anything like the Met's ecstatic new production of TRISTAN UND ISOLDE--seen a week after it opened the season on September 26--in a very long time.
NY Philharmonic Kicks Off Worldwide Radio Broadcasts for 2015
The January broadcasts of The New York Philharmonic This Week - the weekly radio series of concerts and recordings by the New York Philharmonic, hosted by Alec Baldwin - begin with Alan Gilbert leading the Orchestra in an all-Mozart program: the Mass in C minor, Great, and Piano Concerto No. 22, featuring Emanuel Ax as soloist. The Mass features soprano Jennifer Zetlan, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Paul Appleby, baritone Joshua Hopkins, and the New York Choral Artists, directed by Joseph Flummerfelt.
The January broadcasts of The New York Philharmonic This Week - the weekly radio series of concerts and recordings by the New York Philharmonic, hosted by Alec Baldwin - begin with Alan Gilbert leading the Orchestra in an all-Mozart program: the Mass in C minor, Great, and Piano Concerto No. 22, featuring Emanuel Ax as soloist. The Mass features soprano Jennifer Zetlan, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Paul Appleby, baritone Joshua Hopkins, and the New York Choral Artists, directed by Joseph Flummerfelt.
NY Philharmonic Announces Worldwide Radio Broadcasts for Jan-March 2015
The January broadcasts of The New York Philharmonic This Week - the weekly radio series of concerts and recordings by the New York Philharmonic, hosted by Alec Baldwin - begin with Alan Gilbert leading the Orchestra in an all-Mozart program: the Mass in C minor, Great, and Piano Concerto No. 22, featuring Emanuel Ax as soloist. The Mass features soprano Jennifer Zetlan, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Paul Appleby, baritone Joshua Hopkins, and the New York Choral Artists, directed by Joseph Flummerfelt.
The January broadcasts of The New York Philharmonic This Week - the weekly radio series of concerts and recordings by the New York Philharmonic, hosted by Alec Baldwin - begin with Alan Gilbert leading the Orchestra in an all-Mozart program: the Mass in C minor, Great, and Piano Concerto No. 22, featuring Emanuel Ax as soloist. The Mass features soprano Jennifer Zetlan, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Paul Appleby, baritone Joshua Hopkins, and the New York Choral Artists, directed by Joseph Flummerfelt.
BWW Reviews: Stellar Production, Good Cast Still Don't Add Up to MAGIC at the Met
A little slapstick here, a little mysticism there, some knockout arias, a love story, parental conflict--put them all together and you have Mozart's DIE ZAUBERFLOTE--better known in these parts as THE MAGIC FLUTE. Add a good cast and a spectacular production with wonderful effects, flying boys, Bunraku-style bears, serpents and other animals and you should have a wonderful evening at the Met. The key word is 'should,' because this week's FLUTE was somehow less than the sum of its parts.
A little slapstick here, a little mysticism there, some knockout arias, a love story, parental conflict--put them all together and you have Mozart's DIE ZAUBERFLOTE--better known in these parts as THE MAGIC FLUTE. Add a good cast and a spectacular production with wonderful effects, flying boys, Bunraku-style bears, serpents and other animals and you should have a wonderful evening at the Met. The key word is 'should,' because this week's FLUTE was somehow less than the sum of its parts.
BWW Reviews: That Was No Lady, That Was Netrebko, in Verdi's MACBETH at the Met
Ever since I heard Anna Netrebko's “Verdi” album last year, which highlighted excerpts from the operatic treatment of Shakespeare's MACBETH, I knew her Verdi was the real deal and couldn't wait for her to take on the full Lady Macbeth on stage. Her performances in the Adrian Noble production currently at the Met confirmed my best expectations--and then some.
Ever since I heard Anna Netrebko's “Verdi” album last year, which highlighted excerpts from the operatic treatment of Shakespeare's MACBETH, I knew her Verdi was the real deal and couldn't wait for her to take on the full Lady Macbeth on stage. Her performances in the Adrian Noble production currently at the Met confirmed my best expectations--and then some.
BWW Reviews: RENE PAPE Recital at the Met a Matter of Life and Death
The wonderful German singer Rene Pape made history when he made his recital debut at the Met last week—the first bass to perform a solo program at the house. He showed off his dexterity with languages, singing in German, Russian and English, and his ability to move from art songs to musical comedy, sensitively accompanied by pianist Camillo Radicke.
The wonderful German singer Rene Pape made history when he made his recital debut at the Met last week—the first bass to perform a solo program at the house. He showed off his dexterity with languages, singing in German, Russian and English, and his ability to move from art songs to musical comedy, sensitively accompanied by pianist Camillo Radicke.
Photo Flash: First Look at Jonas Kaufmann and More in Wagner's PARSIFAL
Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann sings the title role in a new production of Wagner's final masterpiece Parsifal, staged by acclaimed French Canadian director François Girard in his Met debut, on Great Performances at the Met Sunday, July 28 at 12 noon on PBS (check local listings). (In New York, THIRTEEN will air the opera in two parts: Friday, August 16 at 9 p.m. and Friday, August 23 at 9 p.m.). We have a first look below!
Star tenor Jonas Kaufmann sings the title role in a new production of Wagner's final masterpiece Parsifal, staged by acclaimed French Canadian director François Girard in his Met debut, on Great Performances at the Met Sunday, July 28 at 12 noon on PBS (check local listings). (In New York, THIRTEEN will air the opera in two parts: Friday, August 16 at 9 p.m. and Friday, August 23 at 9 p.m.). We have a first look below!
Placido Domingo & More Featured on 'Great Voices Sing John Denver'; In Stores Today
Legendary music producer, Milt Okun along with composer Lee Holdridge are bringing some of the most famous names in opera to John Denver's famous hit songs on the new album 'Great Voices Sing John Denver'.
Legendary music producer, Milt Okun along with composer Lee Holdridge are bringing some of the most famous names in opera to John Denver's famous hit songs on the new album 'Great Voices Sing John Denver'.
BWW Reviews: Redemption for the Metropolitan Opera's New PARSIFAL Is in the Music
There used to be an ad campaign from a New York bakery company, “You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's rye bread.” Well, a similar statement could be made about Richard Wagner's final opera (or as he called it, a büenenweihfestspiel , or “a festival play for the consecration of the stage”): You don't have to be Christian to love PARSIFAL, with its themes of redemption, honor and loyalty. It is a unique experience, regardless of one's faith, because the music's the thing. And I'd follow the cast, orchestra and chorus of the Metropolitan Opera's new production anywhere. Heard at the opera's second performance of the season, February 18, they were superb.
There used to be an ad campaign from a New York bakery company, “You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's rye bread.” Well, a similar statement could be made about Richard Wagner's final opera (or as he called it, a büenenweihfestspiel , or “a festival play for the consecration of the stage”): You don't have to be Christian to love PARSIFAL, with its themes of redemption, honor and loyalty. It is a unique experience, regardless of one's faith, because the music's the thing. And I'd follow the cast, orchestra and chorus of the Metropolitan Opera's new production anywhere. Heard at the opera's second performance of the season, February 18, they were superb.
BWW Reviews: I WANT MAGIC
I missed the debut and broadcast of Andre Previn's operatic setting of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" from the San Francisco Opera back in 1998. But I can't say that anything I've read would compel me choose it over a couple of hours with Brando and Leigh on TCM or even a less than stellar [Stella?] production of the play. The fact is, how can Previn's score compare with the music of Williams?
I missed the debut and broadcast of Andre Previn's operatic setting of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" from the San Francisco Opera back in 1998. But I can't say that anything I've read would compel me choose it over a couple of hours with Brando and Leigh on TCM or even a less than stellar [Stella?] production of the play. The fact is, how can Previn's score compare with the music of Williams?
Rene Pape's 2012-2013 Season Includes Engagements in Berlin, New York, Chicago, and More
Rene Pape will travel to Germany to reprise his acclaimed Wotan at the Berlin State Opera, in a production of Wagner's Die Walkure conducted by Daniel Barenboim (Oct 4-14). For concerts celebrating the centennial of Sir Georg Solti's birth, the singer joins conductor Valery Gergiev and the World Orchestra for Peace at Carnegie Hall (Oct 19) and in Chicago (Oct 21). Pape returns to La Scala--where he just made his recital debut on Sunday, September 16--in December to open its opera season, portraying King Heinrich in Wagner's Lohengrin, together with his friend Jonas Kaufmann and frequent musical partner Daniel Barenboim (Dec 7-17). On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Pape re-joins Barenboim for performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at the Staatskapelle Berlin. And in 2013, to help mark the bicentennial of Wagner's birth, Pape sings his signature Gurnemanz in the new Francois Girard production of Parsifal at the Metropolitan Opera, conducted by Daniele Gatti (Feb 15-March 8).
Rene Pape will travel to Germany to reprise his acclaimed Wotan at the Berlin State Opera, in a production of Wagner's Die Walkure conducted by Daniel Barenboim (Oct 4-14). For concerts celebrating the centennial of Sir Georg Solti's birth, the singer joins conductor Valery Gergiev and the World Orchestra for Peace at Carnegie Hall (Oct 19) and in Chicago (Oct 21). Pape returns to La Scala--where he just made his recital debut on Sunday, September 16--in December to open its opera season, portraying King Heinrich in Wagner's Lohengrin, together with his friend Jonas Kaufmann and frequent musical partner Daniel Barenboim (Dec 7-17). On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Pape re-joins Barenboim for performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at the Staatskapelle Berlin. And in 2013, to help mark the bicentennial of Wagner's birth, Pape sings his signature Gurnemanz in the new Francois Girard production of Parsifal at the Metropolitan Opera, conducted by Daniele Gatti (Feb 15-March 8).
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