Opera Now - February 2023

Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov is among the most engaging singers in opera today. Immersed in theatre from an early age, he tells Opera Now how he strives for dramatic authenticity, thrilling audiences with his insights into some of opera’s most psychologically complex characters.

Plus, Yukiko Kishinami reports from the 25th anniversary of the New National Theatre in Tokyo, transforming the fortunes of opera in Japan; composer Alexander Raskatov shares some of his thoughts on the genesis of his latest opera, Animal Farm, and the historical and personal influences that have informed his approach to adapting George Orwell’s classic satire into a provocative opera; Ben Woodward, artistic director of Regents Opera, describes the challenges he faced in making a new orchestral reduction of Wagner’s Ring; Colin Clarke applauds a hidden gem of the French Baroque in an Italian guise: Francesco Sacrati’s La finta pazza, reviewed in performance and on disc; Korean baritone Gihoon Kim, the current title-holder of Cardiff Singer of the World, explains how a traditional Korean mask keeps him smiling; The Hours at the Met; Donizetti Festival report; reviews of the latest recordings and new book releases; and our Worldwide Opera Guide to the best upcoming performances.