How One Old Decree Continues to Threaten Italian Opera after the Pandemic — This essay originally appeared on Operawire.com on January 29, 2021 Every Friday, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most sensitive topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. Back in 1996, the Italian government altered its…

Haymarket Opera Company 2020 Review: Acis and Galatea — Michael St. Peter — Acis Kimberly Jones — Galatea David Govertsen — Polyphemus Kaitlin Foley — Damon, Chorus Mallory Harding — Chorus Ryan Townsend Strand — Chorus Jianghai Ho — Chorus Dorian McCall — Chorus Craig Trompeter — Music Director Chase Hopkins — Creative Producer Garry Grasinski — Film Director Haymarket…

Support & Donations Without Hope of Fighting for Real Changes — This essay originally appeared on Operawire.com on January 8, 2021 Every Friday, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most sensitive topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. The way you enter the New Year sets…

Florian Sempey & Javier Camarena Shine In the Deeply Reflective Production of Valentina Carrasco — Teatro Gaetano Donizetti, Bergamo, December 3, 2022 This review originally appeared on Operawire.com on December 12, 2022. Who could outshine the great Javier Camarena singing “La Favorite” on the stage of the famous Donizetti festival? A consummate master of Bel Canto, singing the role of the head-over-heels-in-love novice, leaving the…

The Presentation of ‘Boris Godunov’ at Prima della Scala Is Not a Sign of Support For Russia or Ukraine. It’s For Italy — This essay originally appeared on Operawire.com on December 9, 2022 On Fridays, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most essential topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. “I believe that art should always be distinguished…

Alex Esposito & Alessandro Corbelli Shine in Donizetti Festival’s Sandbox — Teatro Gaetano Donizetti, Bergamo, December 2, 2022 This review originally appeared on Operawire.com on December 7, 2022. This year’s edition of the Donizetti Opera Festival is yet another perfect example of how much diversity there can be in the repertoire of one great Italian composer. As with every previous year…

How Anna Netrebko’s Case Proves Opera As The Most Political Artform — This essay originally appeared on Operawire.com on April 6, 2022 Since the end of February 2022, in statements made by several artists or theaters, we have kept reading something along the lines of: “Art must be separated from politics.” …

A Note From a Russian Critic’s Daily Record — This essay originally appeared on Operawire.com on April 1, 2022 I tried to write again today, but I cannot write. The war has gone on for one month. Every time I start an article, I burst into tears. My writing only lasts a couple of paragraphs. Today, everyone is talking…

Can Art Bring Together What War Has Torn Apart? — This essay originally appeared on Operawire.com on February 25, 2022 On Fridays, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most essential topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. On Thursday night, Feb. 24, 2022, hostilities began…