Opera Rara
@operarara.bsky.social
Rewriting Operatic History:
Lost and Forgotten Operas Restored
Artistic Director: Carlo Rizzi
Artist Ambassadors: Ermonela Jaho & Michael Spyres
Lost and Forgotten Operas Restored
Artistic Director: Carlo Rizzi
Artist Ambassadors: Ermonela Jaho & Michael Spyres
Donizetti's 'Luna e stelle della notte' was found in Sweden's Nydahl Collection. It was recorded for the 1st time ever by Marie-Nicole Lemieux in Volume 4 of our #DonizettiSongProject, and performed live for the 1st time in modern times by Germán Enrique Alcántara 🎶 www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs7z...
November 14, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Donizetti's 'Luna e stelle della notte' was found in Sweden's Nydahl Collection. It was recorded for the 1st time ever by Marie-Nicole Lemieux in Volume 4 of our #DonizettiSongProject, and performed live for the 1st time in modern times by Germán Enrique Alcántara 🎶 www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs7z...
Today we'd like to introduce you to our grisettes in our revival of the final 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine on 5 Dec:
🎶 British/New Zealand mezzo-soprano @joannaharries.bsky.social
🎵 Colombian soprano Julieth Lozano Rolong
🎼Welsh soprano Jessica Robinson
We hope to see you there!
🎶 British/New Zealand mezzo-soprano @joannaharries.bsky.social
🎵 Colombian soprano Julieth Lozano Rolong
🎼Welsh soprano Jessica Robinson
We hope to see you there!
November 13, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Today we'd like to introduce you to our grisettes in our revival of the final 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine on 5 Dec:
🎶 British/New Zealand mezzo-soprano @joannaharries.bsky.social
🎵 Colombian soprano Julieth Lozano Rolong
🎼Welsh soprano Jessica Robinson
We hope to see you there!
🎶 British/New Zealand mezzo-soprano @joannaharries.bsky.social
🎵 Colombian soprano Julieth Lozano Rolong
🎼Welsh soprano Jessica Robinson
We hope to see you there!
We'll be recording Lives in Song: Puccini Episode 3 very soon with our Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi - let us know what you'd like to ask him and/or our host Flora Willson about the Italian composer ❔
1. Why is Puccini important?
2. What got you hooked?
3. Why the final 1921 version La rondine now?
1. Why is Puccini important?
2. What got you hooked?
3. Why the final 1921 version La rondine now?
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
We'll be recording Lives in Song: Puccini Episode 3 very soon with our Artistic Director Carlo Rizzi - let us know what you'd like to ask him and/or our host Flora Willson about the Italian composer ❔
1. Why is Puccini important?
2. What got you hooked?
3. Why the final 1921 version La rondine now?
1. Why is Puccini important?
2. What got you hooked?
3. Why the final 1921 version La rondine now?
To all opera lovers headed to this year's Donizetti Opera Festival! This Sunday, join our Donizetti brunch to hear the Bottega Donizetti young artists in a selection of solo and ensemble pieces.
Including this beautiful duet sung here by Marie-Nicole Lemieux & Michael Spyres: ow.ly/47a250XpRtC
Including this beautiful duet sung here by Marie-Nicole Lemieux & Michael Spyres: ow.ly/47a250XpRtC
November 11, 2025 at 11:03 AM
To all opera lovers headed to this year's Donizetti Opera Festival! This Sunday, join our Donizetti brunch to hear the Bottega Donizetti young artists in a selection of solo and ensemble pieces.
Including this beautiful duet sung here by Marie-Nicole Lemieux & Michael Spyres: ow.ly/47a250XpRtC
Including this beautiful duet sung here by Marie-Nicole Lemieux & Michael Spyres: ow.ly/47a250XpRtC
Dinorah was our first complete recording release by Giacomo Meyerbeer and one which surprised its critics in 1859 who thought the composer capable only of large-scale grand operas.
This three-act opéra-comique is our November Recording of the Month: ow.ly/hlWm50XplBc
This three-act opéra-comique is our November Recording of the Month: ow.ly/hlWm50XplBc
November 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Dinorah was our first complete recording release by Giacomo Meyerbeer and one which surprised its critics in 1859 who thought the composer capable only of large-scale grand operas.
This three-act opéra-comique is our November Recording of the Month: ow.ly/hlWm50XplBc
This three-act opéra-comique is our November Recording of the Month: ow.ly/hlWm50XplBc
'Ermonela Jaho is surely one of the most eloquent and outspoken advocates for opera, championing its emotional depth, accessibility, and relevance'
Read Interlude's interview with Ermonela in which they spoke about Donizetti and reviving the 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine: ow.ly/4XX050Xogt3
Read Interlude's interview with Ermonela in which they spoke about Donizetti and reviving the 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine: ow.ly/4XX050Xogt3
November 7, 2025 at 10:45 AM
'Ermonela Jaho is surely one of the most eloquent and outspoken advocates for opera, championing its emotional depth, accessibility, and relevance'
Read Interlude's interview with Ermonela in which they spoke about Donizetti and reviving the 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine: ow.ly/4XX050Xogt3
Read Interlude's interview with Ermonela in which they spoke about Donizetti and reviving the 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine: ow.ly/4XX050Xogt3
Carlos López Buchardo (1881–1948) was one of the founding figures of Argentinian classical music.
This autumnal lament - 'Canción de Ausencia' (Song of Absence) - sung by Germán Enrique Alcántara with Anna Tilbrook is one of Buchardo's most famous art songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6G...
This autumnal lament - 'Canción de Ausencia' (Song of Absence) - sung by Germán Enrique Alcántara with Anna Tilbrook is one of Buchardo's most famous art songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6G...
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Carlos López Buchardo (1881–1948) was one of the founding figures of Argentinian classical music.
This autumnal lament - 'Canción de Ausencia' (Song of Absence) - sung by Germán Enrique Alcántara with Anna Tilbrook is one of Buchardo's most famous art songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6G...
This autumnal lament - 'Canción de Ausencia' (Song of Absence) - sung by Germán Enrique Alcántara with Anna Tilbrook is one of Buchardo's most famous art songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6G...
One month to go now and counting until our revival of the final 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine at the Barbican - Carlo Rizzi conducts BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers
Our Magda, Ermonela Jaho, of course needs no introduction ✨
Our Magda, Ermonela Jaho, of course needs no introduction ✨
November 6, 2025 at 12:19 PM
One month to go now and counting until our revival of the final 1921 version of Puccini's La rondine at the Barbican - Carlo Rizzi conducts BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers
Our Magda, Ermonela Jaho, of course needs no introduction ✨
Our Magda, Ermonela Jaho, of course needs no introduction ✨
📢 To all Lawrence Brownlee fans based in the UK 📢 Lawrence will be in London for one night only @wigmore-hall.org.uk on 22 November.
His programme with Iain Burnside starts with four songs from our #DonizettiSongProject including the beautiful 'Tu porgesti a me l'anello': ow.ly/tfC750XmqG3
His programme with Iain Burnside starts with four songs from our #DonizettiSongProject including the beautiful 'Tu porgesti a me l'anello': ow.ly/tfC750XmqG3
November 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
📢 To all Lawrence Brownlee fans based in the UK 📢 Lawrence will be in London for one night only @wigmore-hall.org.uk on 22 November.
His programme with Iain Burnside starts with four songs from our #DonizettiSongProject including the beautiful 'Tu porgesti a me l'anello': ow.ly/tfC750XmqG3
His programme with Iain Burnside starts with four songs from our #DonizettiSongProject including the beautiful 'Tu porgesti a me l'anello': ow.ly/tfC750XmqG3
'I find his personality incredibly attractive... he comes across as such a warm and positive human, and seems to attract similar, sociable kinds of people'
'Why was Donizetti important?' asked one Lives in Song viewer... This is how our musicologist experts answered ‼️
#AskOperaRara
'Why was Donizetti important?' asked one Lives in Song viewer... This is how our musicologist experts answered ‼️
#AskOperaRara
November 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
'I find his personality incredibly attractive... he comes across as such a warm and positive human, and seems to attract similar, sociable kinds of people'
'Why was Donizetti important?' asked one Lives in Song viewer... This is how our musicologist experts answered ‼️
#AskOperaRara
'Why was Donizetti important?' asked one Lives in Song viewer... This is how our musicologist experts answered ‼️
#AskOperaRara
What's the connection between Opera Rara, Ermonela Jaho and Spanish pop sensation Rosalía?
We're all featured on @herbertmusic.bsky.social's latest playlist inspired by Rosalía's new track Berghain.
Thank you so much Daria for featuring our #DonizettiSongProject: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Rh...
We're all featured on @herbertmusic.bsky.social's latest playlist inspired by Rosalía's new track Berghain.
Thank you so much Daria for featuring our #DonizettiSongProject: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Rh...
November 3, 2025 at 12:36 PM
What's the connection between Opera Rara, Ermonela Jaho and Spanish pop sensation Rosalía?
We're all featured on @herbertmusic.bsky.social's latest playlist inspired by Rosalía's new track Berghain.
Thank you so much Daria for featuring our #DonizettiSongProject: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Rh...
We're all featured on @herbertmusic.bsky.social's latest playlist inspired by Rosalía's new track Berghain.
Thank you so much Daria for featuring our #DonizettiSongProject: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Rh...
One song, two baritones, two pianists. Do you have a preferred interpretation of Donizetti's ‘Odi d’un uom che muore’, or do you appreciate each performer's unique take on this tragic work like we do?
Head to our YouTube channel to watch the full clips 🎶
Head to our YouTube channel to watch the full clips 🎶
October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
One song, two baritones, two pianists. Do you have a preferred interpretation of Donizetti's ‘Odi d’un uom che muore’, or do you appreciate each performer's unique take on this tragic work like we do?
Head to our YouTube channel to watch the full clips 🎶
Head to our YouTube channel to watch the full clips 🎶
We'd like to introduce you today to three members of our upcoming revival of Puccini's La rondine in its final 1921 version on 5 Dec at the Barbican:
🎶 Welsh tenor Robert Lewis as Gobin
🎵 British bass William Thomas as Crébillon/Il maggiodormo
🎼British bass David Shipley as Périchaud
More soon!
🎶 Welsh tenor Robert Lewis as Gobin
🎵 British bass William Thomas as Crébillon/Il maggiodormo
🎼British bass David Shipley as Périchaud
More soon!
October 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
We'd like to introduce you today to three members of our upcoming revival of Puccini's La rondine in its final 1921 version on 5 Dec at the Barbican:
🎶 Welsh tenor Robert Lewis as Gobin
🎵 British bass William Thomas as Crébillon/Il maggiodormo
🎼British bass David Shipley as Périchaud
More soon!
🎶 Welsh tenor Robert Lewis as Gobin
🎵 British bass William Thomas as Crébillon/Il maggiodormo
🎼British bass David Shipley as Périchaud
More soon!
'Ermonela Jaho's interpretations express joy and fear, defiance and jubilation, strength and vulnerability, and passion and tragedy' - Pizzicato magazine
Reviews have started coming in for Volumes 5 and 6 of our #DonizettiSongProject and you can read more here: ow.ly/A1pg50Xj5fy
Reviews have started coming in for Volumes 5 and 6 of our #DonizettiSongProject and you can read more here: ow.ly/A1pg50Xj5fy
October 28, 2025 at 2:52 PM
'Ermonela Jaho's interpretations express joy and fear, defiance and jubilation, strength and vulnerability, and passion and tragedy' - Pizzicato magazine
Reviews have started coming in for Volumes 5 and 6 of our #DonizettiSongProject and you can read more here: ow.ly/A1pg50Xj5fy
Reviews have started coming in for Volumes 5 and 6 of our #DonizettiSongProject and you can read more here: ow.ly/A1pg50Xj5fy
Here's your #FactOfTheDay - milonga is a type of Argentinian ballroom dance & Alberto Williams' 'Milonga calabacera' is one of the funniest songs in the repertoire says Germán Enrique Alcántara.
It forms part of the Canciones de la Pampa y la Sierra cycle from 1919: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eQ...
It forms part of the Canciones de la Pampa y la Sierra cycle from 1919: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eQ...
October 27, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Here's your #FactOfTheDay - milonga is a type of Argentinian ballroom dance & Alberto Williams' 'Milonga calabacera' is one of the funniest songs in the repertoire says Germán Enrique Alcántara.
It forms part of the Canciones de la Pampa y la Sierra cycle from 1919: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eQ...
It forms part of the Canciones de la Pampa y la Sierra cycle from 1919: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eQ...
Last Friday, on the eve of #WorldOperaDay, we were very happy to join fellow founding members of the new UK Opera Association (UKOA) to celebrate the announcement of Baroness @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Read more here: opera-rara.com/opera-rara-w...
Read more here: opera-rara.com/opera-rara-w...
October 27, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Last Friday, on the eve of #WorldOperaDay, we were very happy to join fellow founding members of the new UK Opera Association (UKOA) to celebrate the announcement of Baroness @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Read more here: opera-rara.com/opera-rara-w...
Read more here: opera-rara.com/opera-rara-w...
We hope you don't mind slipping into your feed... once a month now with our newsletter so we can keep you up to date on everything we do 🗞️
We look forward to seeing many of you over on our YouTube channel this Sunday for our stream featuring Germán Enrique Alcántara 🎶
➡️ mailchi.mp/b94c75f9ed73...
We look forward to seeing many of you over on our YouTube channel this Sunday for our stream featuring Germán Enrique Alcántara 🎶
➡️ mailchi.mp/b94c75f9ed73...
October 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
We hope you don't mind slipping into your feed... once a month now with our newsletter so we can keep you up to date on everything we do 🗞️
We look forward to seeing many of you over on our YouTube channel this Sunday for our stream featuring Germán Enrique Alcántara 🎶
➡️ mailchi.mp/b94c75f9ed73...
We look forward to seeing many of you over on our YouTube channel this Sunday for our stream featuring Germán Enrique Alcántara 🎶
➡️ mailchi.mp/b94c75f9ed73...
📢 A message to our Spanish-speaking friends and followers around the world 🗺️ from Germán Enrique Alcántara. We hope to see many of you online this Sunday 26 October for the stream of Germán's recital recorded earlier this month at Temple Music Foundation 👋🎶
🔗 ow.ly/xbpq50XgPAU
🔗 ow.ly/xbpq50XgPAU
October 23, 2025 at 11:39 AM
📢 A message to our Spanish-speaking friends and followers around the world 🗺️ from Germán Enrique Alcántara. We hope to see many of you online this Sunday 26 October for the stream of Germán's recital recorded earlier this month at Temple Music Foundation 👋🎶
🔗 ow.ly/xbpq50XgPAU
🔗 ow.ly/xbpq50XgPAU
'What criteria do you use to decide which operas to restore?' Watch the full clip to find out how Roger answers this million dollar question: ow.ly/L9cW50Xgigx
Ahead of the launch of Lives in Song: Puccini, remember to send your #AskOperaRara Qs to ask@opera-rara.com❓
Ahead of the launch of Lives in Song: Puccini, remember to send your #AskOperaRara Qs to ask@opera-rara.com❓
October 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
'What criteria do you use to decide which operas to restore?' Watch the full clip to find out how Roger answers this million dollar question: ow.ly/L9cW50Xgigx
Ahead of the launch of Lives in Song: Puccini, remember to send your #AskOperaRara Qs to ask@opera-rara.com❓
Ahead of the launch of Lives in Song: Puccini, remember to send your #AskOperaRara Qs to ask@opera-rara.com❓
And if you're a Classical Music subscriber, you can read all about our international partnership with the Donizetti Opera Festival in the latest issue.
The 2 concerts this year will be sung by six young artists 📸 of the Festival's Bottega Donizetti programme: www.classical-music.uk/news/article...
The 2 concerts this year will be sung by six young artists 📸 of the Festival's Bottega Donizetti programme: www.classical-music.uk/news/article...
October 21, 2025 at 11:21 AM
And if you're a Classical Music subscriber, you can read all about our international partnership with the Donizetti Opera Festival in the latest issue.
The 2 concerts this year will be sung by six young artists 📸 of the Festival's Bottega Donizetti programme: www.classical-music.uk/news/article...
The 2 concerts this year will be sung by six young artists 📸 of the Festival's Bottega Donizetti programme: www.classical-music.uk/news/article...
Last Friday Germán Enrique Alcántara and Anna Tilbrook kicked off our 55th season with a recital of rare Italian and Argentinean songs.
Next Sunday 26 October from 5pm CET, we'll be streaming their
full recital on our YouTube channel.
Here's a taster to whet your appetite: ow.ly/p0Fn50XcM1K
Next Sunday 26 October from 5pm CET, we'll be streaming their
full recital on our YouTube channel.
Here's a taster to whet your appetite: ow.ly/p0Fn50XcM1K
October 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Last Friday Germán Enrique Alcántara and Anna Tilbrook kicked off our 55th season with a recital of rare Italian and Argentinean songs.
Next Sunday 26 October from 5pm CET, we'll be streaming their
full recital on our YouTube channel.
Here's a taster to whet your appetite: ow.ly/p0Fn50XcM1K
Next Sunday 26 October from 5pm CET, we'll be streaming their
full recital on our YouTube channel.
Here's a taster to whet your appetite: ow.ly/p0Fn50XcM1K
We're happy to reveal that you can now listen to the FULL Lives in Song: Donizetti series on your favourite streaming platform or simply via our website. Hosted by Flora Willson with Donizetti expert Roger Parker, and produced by Jason Caffrey of Creative Kin.
Explore here: opera-rara.com/podcasts
Explore here: opera-rara.com/podcasts
October 16, 2025 at 1:04 PM
We're happy to reveal that you can now listen to the FULL Lives in Song: Donizetti series on your favourite streaming platform or simply via our website. Hosted by Flora Willson with Donizetti expert Roger Parker, and produced by Jason Caffrey of Creative Kin.
Explore here: opera-rara.com/podcasts
Explore here: opera-rara.com/podcasts
Thank you Germán (Enrique Alcántara) for sharing this wonderful encore performed with Aigul Akhmetshina & Anna Tilbrook last Friday - Carlos Guastavino's 'Pueblito mi pueblo'.
In Germán's words, 'This song is not just about a place... but about a moment when we were happy without even knowing it'
In Germán's words, 'This song is not just about a place... but about a moment when we were happy without even knowing it'
October 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Thank you Germán (Enrique Alcántara) for sharing this wonderful encore performed with Aigul Akhmetshina & Anna Tilbrook last Friday - Carlos Guastavino's 'Pueblito mi pueblo'.
In Germán's words, 'This song is not just about a place... but about a moment when we were happy without even knowing it'
In Germán's words, 'This song is not just about a place... but about a moment when we were happy without even knowing it'
Over a decade ago our journey began with Michael Spyres who sang in Donizetti's Les Martyrs. Our latest venture is Donizetti Songs Volume 3 dedicated to the composer's French songs (and one German!) with our AD Carlo Rizzi
Thank you to The Recording Academy once again for your consideration 🙏🎶
Thank you to The Recording Academy once again for your consideration 🙏🎶
October 14, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Over a decade ago our journey began with Michael Spyres who sang in Donizetti's Les Martyrs. Our latest venture is Donizetti Songs Volume 3 dedicated to the composer's French songs (and one German!) with our AD Carlo Rizzi
Thank you to The Recording Academy once again for your consideration 🙏🎶
Thank you to The Recording Academy once again for your consideration 🙏🎶
We continue our For Your GRAMMY Consideration series with a focus on our world premiere studio recording of the original 1857 version of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra - nominated already for a Gramophone award and an International Opera Award
Thank you to The Recording Academy for its consideration 🙏
Thank you to The Recording Academy for its consideration 🙏
October 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
We continue our For Your GRAMMY Consideration series with a focus on our world premiere studio recording of the original 1857 version of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra - nominated already for a Gramophone award and an International Opera Award
Thank you to The Recording Academy for its consideration 🙏
Thank you to The Recording Academy for its consideration 🙏