The Istanbul Music Festival will take place at various iconic venues in Istanbul, including Atatürk Cultural Center and Süreyya Opera House. The festival will feature three world premiere performances commissioned by the event, as well as a Honorary Award to opera singer Professor Mesut İktu and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov. Additionally, students from conservatory music and vocal departments can attend concerts for free, while the Eczacıbaşı Young Ticket project will continue to offer affordable ticket options through the Eczacıbaşı Group.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-music-festival-to-be-held-in-june-205803Huang Ruo, a composer, was inspired to write an opera called "The Monkey King" after watching his children dress up as Spider-Man and Batman for Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic. He wanted Asian kids to have a superhero figure to look up to, so he based his work on an episode from 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West about a primate born from stone with supernatural powers seeking immortality. The opera, which features singing in both English and Mandarin, will premiere at the San Francisco Opera on November 14.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3297781/san-francisco-premiere-opera-monkey-king-huang-ruo-based-journey-west?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionA satirical play called "Trump, the Twins President" has brought new life to traditional Cantonese opera in Hong Kong. The show, which debuted in 2019 and features a blend of singing, acting, recitation, and acrobatics, has drawn hundreds to witness its spectacle at the Sunbeam Theatre, a beloved venue on the verge of shutdown. The play's success is attributed to its unique blend of humor and satire, with audiences finding it funny despite not making fun of the situation. The show's popularity has sparked both acclaim and ridicule, but its impact has helped revive interest in Cantonese opera, which has been struggling due to changing tastes and a lack of venues.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2025/02/07/trump-cantonese-opera-thrills-fans-at-hong-kong-theatres-last-hurrah/165851Cultural performances at the Maha Kumbh in India are set to begin on February 7 and continue until February 10. The events aim to showcase a "confluence of cultures" by featuring renowned artistes from various parts of the country. The lineup includes Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly, playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, singer Suresh Wadkar, and singer Hariharan. Other notable performances include a Rasleela performance by Dr Devkinandan Sharma from Mathura, a Sufi performance by Yogesh Gandharv and Abha Gandharv, and a violin performance by Dr L Subramaniam. The events are part of the Maha Kumbh celebrations, which will be suspended on February 12 due to the sacred Magh Purnima Snan.
https://www.news18.com/india/cultural-performances-at-mahakumbh-featuring-renowned-artistes-from-feb-7-9215812.htmlThe Istanbul State Opera and Ballet's (IDOB) production of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata premiered at the Atatürk Cultural Center's Türk Telekom Opera Hall on January 23, marking the start of its 2024-2025 season. The production is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' novel "The Lady of the Camellias" and combines elements of French literature, Verdi's music, and visual storytelling to create a unique interpretation. IDOB's chief director Recep Ayyılmaz stated that the production balances classicism and modernity, while IDOB Director Caner Akgün likened the opera's storyline to a classic melodrama with deeper meanings when adapted for contemporary audiences. The production features choreography by Kürşat Kılıç, who added vibrant layers to the performance, including physical representations of Alexandre Dumas and Giuseppe Verdi on stage. Performances will continue on January 25, 29, and 30, showcasing a cast of distinguished performers under conductors Alessandro De Marchi and Zdravko Lazarov, alongside the IDOB choir led by Paolo Villa.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/reimagined-production-of-la-traviata-takes-stage-205064Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Aida" is being reimagined by director Mayer at New York's Metropolitan Opera. The production aims to balance tradition with modernity, acknowledging the complexities of cultural appropriation and colonialism while still delivering a spectacle that appeals to both old and new audiences. To achieve this, Mayer has presented the story through the eyes of archaeologists unearthing an ancient tomb, highlighting the colonial context. His goal is to make the opera appealing to first-time attendees, making it a staple of the repertoire for seasons to come.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2025/01/25/new-aida-stages-ancient-egypt-for-modern-audiences-tackling-orientalism-and-operas-grandeur/164558The Sydney Opera House is hosting a production of La Traviata, a classic opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The performance was reviewed by Peter McCallum and received four out of five stars. The audience showed their enthusiasm for the show by applauding at the end and standing up as soon as the cast took their final bow.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/live-reviews/this-performance-of-a-classic-opera-had-the-audience-on-their-feet-20250124-p5l72t.html