Highlights | Canadians in Munich, Makela Takes Chicago, Opera 24-25 in Winnipeg, Calgary and Quebec | Canadians in Munich, Makelja will receive 24-25 operas in Chicago, Winnipeg, Calgary and Quebec.

Welcome La Scena Musicaleweekly Important places, a collection of classical music news from Canada and beyond. It's season to announce and Canadian artists are emerging in the world of classical music.

Bavarian State Opera

Munich's storied Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) recently announced its 24-25 season, featuring several Canadian singers. Bass-baritone Gerald Finley plays Wagner's leading roles The Flying Dutchman and Verdi's Macbeth. She shares the stage with Canadian Sondra Radvanovsky as Verdi's Lady, while the soprano also takes on Puccini's title role. Turandot. Mezzo-soprano Rihab Chayeb returns to the Munich stage as Mascagni's Lola. Cavalleria rusticana Canadian bass-baritone Philip Slee and mezzo-soprano Emily D'Angelo sing Mozart's Figaro and Cherubino. Le nozze di Figaro.

Soprano Sarah Dufresne, who has just completed a two-year contract as a member of the Royal Opera's Jet Parker Young Artists Programme, will sing Semele in Klaus Guth's new production of Richard Strauss. Die Liebe der Danae. Tenor Zachary Rio, a member of the company's Studio Opera, will perform multiple roles throughout the season. Aida, Lucia di Lammermoor, Sly little Vixen, Lucrezia Borgia and Don Carlo.

More information about the Bavarian State Opera season 24-25 can be found here.

Manitoba Opera

Winnipeg's premiere opera company has announced two Italian selections as its 24-25 major productions: Donizetti Elixir of love and Puccini La boheme. The cast includes many Canadian singers, some of whom are making their debut with the company. Elixir It marks the return of soprano Andriana Chuchman in the role of Adina, a role she enjoyed at the Metropolitan Opera. As his unfortunate suitor Nemorino, the company welcomes American tenor Jonah Hoskins, second prize winner of the Placido Domingo Operalia Competition 2021. Huckster Dr. Dulcamara found baritone Peter McGillivray in his other signing Buffo Belcore was played by American baritone Jorrell Williams.

Boem Quebec artists Suzanne Taffot as Mimi and Hugo Laporte as Marcello welcome Canadian tenor Zachary Rio Rodolfo from Munich and Toronto soprano Charlotte Siegel as Musetta, who recently sang with the Canadian Opera Company. Rounding out the cast of Bohemians are baritone Clarence Fraser as Seanard and bass-baritone Alex Halliday as Colleen.

Full details on Manitoba Opera's 24-25 season can be found here.

Quebec Opera

Opéra de Quebec's 24-25 season features Rossini's comedy, en français, Le Comte Ory The lead role is led by two French artists, tenor Philippe Talbot and soprano Judith Fa as Countess Adele. French-Canadian baritone Jean-Christophe Bouton sings Raimbo in the sweet-pants role of Izolier with mezzo-soprano Florence Bourget. The company closes the season with Verdi Il trovatore It also sees French singers in leading roles, including tenor Christophe Berry as Manrico and soprano Irina Stopina as Leonora. Two Canadians round out the cast: mezzo-soprano Carolyn Sproul as the vengeful Azucena and baritone Hugo Laporte as Conte di Luna.

More information about the Opéra de Quebec season 24-25 can be found here.

Calgary Opera

Calgary Opera opened its 24-25 season late last week, opening on November 2 with a performance of Mozart. Don Giovanni. The Canadian cast includes baritone Phillip Addis in the title role, Midori Marsh as Donna Anna, Aviva Fortunata as Donna Elvira and Neil Craighead as Masetto and Commendatore. Italian baritone Guido Loconsolo sings Leporello, and Chinese tenor Chuan Wang is Don Ottavio.

Donizetti's comedy warms up winter Don Pasquale (popular these days in Canada, given the productions this season in Toronto and Vancouver) starring Canadian artists John Fanning, Lucia Cesaroni as Norina, John Tessi as Ernesto and Phillip Addis as Dr. Malatesta.

The company's main season closes with a double bill of Bartok Bluebeard Castle and Puccini Gianni Schicci. Italian baritone Giuseppe Altomare, who performed the title role at Calgary Opera in 2022 MacbethAmerican soprano Sarah Gartland as Judith/Nella, Canadian soprano Kirsten LeBlanc as Lauretta and American tenor Christopher Oglesby as Rinuccio return in both lead roles.

Full details on Calgary Opera's 24-25 season can be found here.

Klaus Makela 27-28 Chicago Symphony New Doctor

The Chicago Symphony recently announced Finnish conductor Klaus Makela as its new music director for June 27-28. He will take the lead role under Riccardo Muti for 13 seasons until 2023. Currently, Makelya is the music director of both. Orchester de Paris and Oslo Philharmonic. In addition to his new role in Chicago, he will be director of Amsterdam's fabled Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra from 27-28.

In a press release, Makela noted that “starting in 2027/28, my main responsibilities will be my partnership with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.” Until then, I will continue to collaborate regularly with the Paris Orchestra and the Oslo Philharmonic. I look forward to all the musical productions I have planned for the next three seasons and to returning to both institutions on a permanent basis after my official tenure is over.”

Makela's appointment to Chicago has sparked a lot of online chatter and cultural commentary about her youth, inexperience, and prioritization of artistic responsibilities. Her recent breakup with superstar pianist Yuja Wang and her subsequent refusal to attend their joint concerts added fuel to the fire. There has also been speculation about the role that agents with powerful clients play in influencing the recruitment of soloists.

Funding cuts are having a negative impact on UK opera companies

Arts Council England (ACE) funding cuts are having a knock-on effect on Britain's major opera companies. Welsh National Opera recently announced pay cuts for its orchestra, effectively reducing them to part-time status. The cuts have previously caused the company to cancel tours to cities such as Liverpool. This is the season finale of the English National Opera The Magic Flute most recently noted that his choir and orchestra are on full-time contracts. Demands from ACE to leave its permanent home at London's Coliseum have led to its recent announcement of a move to Manchester.

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