Riccardo Muti and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra have just returned from a tour to Asia which included three concerts in South Korea, setting a benchmark for visiting orchestras in the country. In order to secure the tour dates, the VPO had to submit an application to South Korean authorities, to be considered for an exemption to the two-week quarantine that is usually required of visitors. At present, visitors to the country must provide a compelling reason for their trip; exemptions…

The role of Isolde marked a decisive step in Nina Stemme's career. She performed it for the first time in 2003, onstage at the Glyndebourne Festival; her performance was eye-opening, and unanimously amazing. This score, which she worked on with Birgit Nilsson herself, is one of the most demanding of the repertoire. Performing the part of Isolde is immensely challenging. “You’re never ready to sing such monumental roles,” explains the soloist. The music requires a certain state of mind that…

On May 16 Plácido Domingo conducts Verdi’s Messa da Requiem at the re-opening of Teatro Municipale di Piacenza, in an evening dedicated to the victims of COVID-19. On his long awaited return to Piacenza after 48 years, Domingo leads the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, Coro del Teatro Municipale di Piacenza and soloists María José Siri, Annalisa Stroppa, Michele Pertusi and Operalia Winner Antonio Poli. Audiences from around the world will have access to the performance via Opera Streaming.

Nina Stemme’s role debut as Die Färberin in Richard Strauss opera Die Frau ohne Schatten is released on CD by Orfeo. The recording was made at the 150th anniversary of the Vienna State Opera, 25th May 2019, where Christian Thielemann conducted a stellar cast also including Camilla Nylund, Evelyn Herlitzius, Stephen Gould, and Wolfgang Koch.

With its launch on 21 June, the Ravenna Festival will bring live concerts back to Italy for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.­ It will take place in compliance with governmental regulations on social distancing. Masks will be mandatory for all 250 members of the audience, and there will be a staggered access system.