Netrebko and Schrott Will Open Restaurant in Vienna

"Operndiva Anna Netrebko und Bassbariton Erwin Schrott wollen ein Restaurant eröffnen – und zwar in Wien, wie sie in einem Interview für die morgen erscheinende NEWS-Ausgabe bekannt geben. Die Stadt bleibt Lebensmittelpunkt, obwohl beide in der nächsten Saison keine Auftritte an der Staatsoper haben. Beide lassen auch hinsichtlich der Salzburger Festspiele, die sie in diesem Sommer nachhaltig mitgestalten, aufhorchen: Anna Netrebko singt dort zwar nächstes Jahr die Mimi in La Bohème, hat aber für die folgenden Jahre der Intendanz Alexander Pereira keine Anfrage. Schrott ist in dieser Ära überhaupt nicht gebucht. „Ja, das tut es" antworten beide einstimmig auf die Frage ob sie das schmerze. Am 6. August treten beide mit dem Tenor Jonas Kaufmann in der Wiener Stadthalle zu einem Galakonzert mit Arien, Duetten und sonstigem auf. Gelegenheit also, für länger Abschied zu nehmen."

NEWS: Stimmt es, dass Sie demnächst ein Restaurant eröffnen werden?
Netrebko: Wir dachten, dass es doch auch noch etwas anderes außerhalb der Oper geben muss. Das Restaurant machen wir aus Leidenschaft. Da geht es nicht ums Geschäft, denn ich weiß, wie schwierig es ist, ein Restaurant professionell zu führen. Aber wir kochen gern und lieben beide gutes Essen in guter Gesellschaft. Wir wollen etwas Neues entwickeln.

NEWS: Wird das Restaurant in Wien sein?
Netrebko: Ja, ich denke schon.
Schrott: Ja. Und dann übernehmen wir die Welt!

NEWS: Was wird auf der Speisekarte stehen? Churrasco oder Borschtsch?
Schrott: Darüber haben wir noch keine Entscheidung getroffen.

[Source]

See more photos of the couple, currently in Salzburg, after the jump.

More photos can be found here.

While NYCO Runs Amok, the MET Performs in Central Park

"It has been four years since the Metropolitan Opera decided to stop presenting full operas in its summertime concerts in New York City’s parks, a decision that was difficult to understand, given the popularity of these free performances, and the likelihood that they were winning the company new listeners. Now, presumably, the Met’s high-definition opera screenings are expected to be its audience builders: It is presenting free screenings of 10 of them in its Met Summer HD Festival, at Lincoln Center from Aug. 27 to Sept. 5. But the Met also recognizes that it should maintain a presence in the parks with live music, and on Monday evening it opened this year’s installment of its Summer Recital Series with a program of arias and duets, with three young singers — Angela Meade, soprano; Jennifer Johnson Cano, mezzo-soprano; and Atalla Ayan, tenor — as part of Central Park SummerStage. The bass-baritone Eric Owens was on hand to introduce the program (and to sing Marcello’s offstage line in “O soave fanciulla,” from Puccini’s Bohème, from his seat in the audience)." [Source]

(Images left to right: Meade, Ayan, Cano. Photos by Hiroyuki Ito/New York Times)

Brevard Music Center Celebrates 75th Season This Month

"The Brevard Music Center, known widely for its lively summer festival and educational institute that features a distinguished artist faculty, will begin its anniversary season on June 24....Eighteen different orchestra programs, five opera productions, wind ensemble, chamber music, recitals, pre-performance lectures, as well as a number of free events will make up the packed season of festival performances...'As we approach our 75th Anniversary Season, I have been touched with the strong sense of tradition coupled with the commitment to continue to teach and inspire talented students in new and innovative ways,' says Margaret Ryan, President and CEO of Brevard Music Center. 'I’m really looking forward to seeing Brevard Music Center move into the future,' says Ryan, who took the helm as President and CEO in February. Ryan adds that BMC Artistic Director Keith Lockhart and some of the artist faculty often compare Brevard Music Center to the fictional village of Brigadoon. 'It’s that ‘magical place’ in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains that comes to life as students and faculty study, learn, and perform great music together,' she says....For more than 40 years, opera has been a major part of the Brevard Music Center, and the 75th Anniversary festival is no different. Brevard Music Center’s Janiec Opera Company will have performances at the Porter Center at Brevard College for this season." [Source]

Brevard Music Center will present La Traviata, Threepenny Opera, Alcina, L'Elisir d'Amore and an evening of opera's greatest hits. For more information and tickets, visit the Brevard Music Center website by clicking here.