Orchestergraben Interview
Keri-Lynn Wilson needs no introduction. The Canadian conductor can look back on an impressive career in both opera and symphonic music. At very short notice, it has now been announced that she will conduct „La Traviata“ at the Bavarian State Opera starting June 16. I was very happy to take the opportunity to interview her, and because of Wilson’s broad repertoire, our opera expert Isabella Steppan fortunately came to my aid for the interview.
La Traviata at the Bayerische Staastoper
Keri-Lynn Wilson returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper to conduct La Traviata this June, a result of the sudden reopening of theaters in Germany. Ms Wilson had been scheduled to conduct Rigoletto there earlier in the season, but those performances were cancelled during one of the pandemic shutdowns. Ms. Wilson most recently conducted La Traviata at the Bolshoi earlier this month.
La Traviata at the Bolshoi Theatre
Maestro Wilson returns to the Bolshoi Theatre — one of the few opera houses that has remained open without interruption throughout the pandemic — this May to conduct five performances of Verdi’s La Traviata. A frequent guest conductor at the Bolshoi, Ms. Wilson’s past performances there include Un Ballo in Maschera, Don Carlo, La Bohème, Manon Lescaut, Iolanthe and Tosca.
Un Ballo in Maschera at the Bolshoi Theatre
In March, Maestro Wilson returns to the Bolshoi, where she is a frequent guest, to conduct performances of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera. The cast includes Anna Nechaeva (Amelia), Vladimir Stoyanov (Renato), Oleg Dolgov (Richard), Elena Manistina (Ulrica), and Anna Aglatova (Oscar).
Mozartwoche 2021
Even though there is currently a complete lockdown in Austria, not all of the scheduled performances of the January Salzburg Mozartwoche have been cancelled. Maestro Wilson’s debut, conducting the opening concert of the festival on January 21st, will take place as scheduled – although it will now be broadcast at a later date since no audience will be permitted inside Salzburg’s historic Mozarteum for the performance.
Carmen at Opéra national de Paris
cancelled due to Covid-19
When the President of France announced last week that theaters will reopen on December 15, it created the scenario that Keri-Lynn Wilson’s highly anticipated debut at the Opera national de Paris conducting Carmen, scheduled for December 16, would take on even greater importance by being the first opera performance to take place on the stage of the Bastille since the pandemic halted performances last March.
Maestro Wilson Nominated as “Conductor of the Year 2o2o”
Maestro Wilson has just been nominated for an Opus Klassik 2020 Award as "Conductor of Year," in recognition of her work on the recording of Rossini's Sigismondo. The album was recorded live in Munich with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks and soloists Marianna Pizzolato, Hera Hyesang Park, Kenneth Tarver, Rachel Kelly, and Gavan Ring. The recording received three additional nominations: The Münchner Rundfunkorchester for "Orchestra of the Year," Hera Hyseang Park for "Singer of the Year," and "19th Century Opera of the Year." The awards will be announced in October.
Spotify Playlist
During the health crisis, Ms. Wilson has been sharing the music and the composers who have helped her get through these fallow days in a series of posts #inspiredby. In these posts, Ms. Wilson has been highlighting an excerpt of a different composition each week, works worthy of observation and celebration, whether they be in the mainstream or are less widely known. Happy to expand on her choices, Ms. Wilson has curated a playlist of her selections on Spotify here where you can listen to the full versions. Even when she isn’t on the podium, Ms. Wilson believes it’s the duty of a performing artist to connect art and people. We hope you enjoy Ms. Wilson’s #inspiredby playlist.
A Personal Message from Ms. Wilson
During this difficult time, Ms. Wilson sends her support to all those who are affected by the virus, and promises to keep an active presence on social media to remain in contact with her community.
The website will be updated regarding concert and event cancellations as information becomes available. In the event of a cancellation, please contact the theater directly for additional details and ticket refunds.
Debut at Opéra national de Paris
Ms. Wilson makes her debut at the Opéra national de Paris this December conducting Carmen. This production by Calixto Bieito stars Varduhi Abrahamyan in the lead role, opposite Charles Castronovo as Don José. Ms. Wilson recently conducted Carmen at the Royal Opera House, to critical acclaim: “Under Keri-Lynn Wilson’s direction, the chorus and orchestra were superb.” (The Independent, London) For dates and further information, click here.
Carmen at the Polish National Opera
Ms. Wilson returns to the Polish National Opera to conduct Carmen throughout the month of March with performances on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 28th, 29th, & 31st. In Warsaw, Oxana Volkova sings the title role and Hovhannes Ayvazyan sings Don José in the Andrzej Chyra production.
Click here for additional information and tickets.
February
In February, Ms. Wilson travels to Bulgaria to conduct both the symphony and an opera. On February 6th, she performs Brahms' Tragic Overture, and two pieces by Beethoven in celebration of the composer's 250th birthday. Tickets for this one night only event with the Sofia Philharmonic are available here. On the 21st, she conducts Turandot at the Sofia Opera and Ballet, staring Maria Guleghina in the title role. Tickets and additional information are available here.
La bohème at the Latvian National Opera
Ms. Wilson begins her year in the Latvian capital of Riga conducting La Bohème at the Latvian National Opera on January 11th. A piece Ms. Wilson frequently conducts, she has previously conducted the piece at the Mariinsky Theatre, ABAO Bilbao, the Bolshoi Theatre, Puccini Festival and at the NDR Open-air Concert series. At this performance, Rodolfo is played by Raimonds Bramanis and Mimì by Evija Martinsone.
Manon Lescaut at the Bolshoi Theatre
Ms. Wilson returns to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow to conduct Puccini's Manon Lescaut on December 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15. Directed by Adolf Shapiro, Asmik Grigorian sings Manon, Elchin Azizov sings Lescaut, and Riccardo Massi sings Des Grieux. Tickets and further information are available here.
Rossini - Sigismondo Live Recording
BR Classics has recently released Keri-Lynn Wilson’s recording of Sigismondo, Rossini’s acclaimed, but rarely performed opera. Wilson conducted the BR orchestra and chorus, and a cast that included Hera Hyesang Park, Marianna Pizzolato and Kenneth Tarver.
The live recording is from a performance in Munich’s Prinzregententheater that took place on October 14, 2018.
Critical reaction to the recording has been very positive, including this review from Musicweb International, "Under conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, the versatile Münchner Rundfunkorchester gives a splendidly incisive performance with judicious tempi. It is impressive how the Canadian conductor pulls together all the various threads so well, creating drama and an impressive level of tension when needed.
New Production of Rigoletto in Oslo
Keri-Lynn Wilson is in Oslo, preparing a new production of Rigoletto, directed by the acclaimed Norwegian film, stage and opera director and designer Ole Anders Tanberg. Working with a cast of Ingve Soberg, Lina Johnson and Mario Chang in the three leading roles, it’s all taking place at the Oslo Opera House, known for it’s striking, contemporary architecture on the edge of the harbor. The premiere is on Oct 5th, with seven more performances, ending on Oct 25th.
La Traviata and Sigismondo in Munich
Keri-Lynn Wilson will be doing double duty in Munich this fall, conducting the Rossini rarity, “Sigismondo”, in a concert performance with the BR Munich Radio Orchestra on October 14th, while also conducting performances of “La Traviata” at the Bayerische Staatsoper in October. “Sigismondo”, an early Rossini Opera that bears some similarities to the plot of Otello, will also be recorded for the BR Klassik label.
Covent Garden Debut
Keri-Lynn Wilson will make her debut at the Royal Opera House this fall (November/December) with eight performances of Barrie Kosky's provocative production of “Carmen.” Uzbekistan mezzo soprano Ksenia Dudnikova will be singing the title role for the first time at the Royal Opera. She will be joined by American tenor Brian Jagde as Don Jose and Russian bass baritone Alexander Vinogradov as Escamillo.
Macerata Festival 2018
This July and August, Keri-Lynn Wilson is making her debut at the historic Macerata Festival in Italy, conducting “La Traviata” on the stage of the 19th century outdoor Sferisterio arena. She will be leading the cast of Salome Jicia, Ivan Ayon Rivas, Luca Salsi and Alberto Gazale, and will be joined by the Orchestra Regionale delle Marche and Coro Lirico Marchigiano.
Mozart Requiem in Stephansdom in Vienna
Keri-Lynn had the honor to conduct the Mozart Requiem with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia Chorus on December 1st in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. The performance was broadcast live on Austrian television (ORF) in commemoration of World Aids Day.