(Credit: Fay Fox) Few works of American literature have had quite the impact of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” Published in 1939, the seminal Pulitzer Prize-winning novel focuses on a poor family of tenant farmers, the Joads, as they are driven from their homes and forces to face the difficult world of the Great Depression. The film received an {…}
No stranger to the rapidly changing world of classical music, composer and musicologist Raphael Fusco has found a novel way to blend his skills as a music researcher and a composer. Previously he was interviewed about his first chamber opera, “inSOMNIA,” a fairytale opera which blended his ear for different musical genres. This time, in his new cantata for countertenor {…}
For the past 20 years, Luke McEndarfer has been the Artistic Director, President, and CEO of the National Children’s Chorus. Under his leadership, the organization has become one of the fastest-growing and most successful youth arts organizations in the United States. It has performed at Royce Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, and the {…}
Later this month, audiences in Riyadh will bear witness to “Zarqa Al Yamama,” “the first Grand Opera produced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” The opera will star Dame Sarah Connolly. She is joined by Khayran Al Zahrani, Sawsan Albahiti, Reemaz Oqbi, Aleksandar Stefanowski, Amelia Wawrzon, Serena Farnocchia, Paride Cataldo, and George von Bergen. The libretto by Saleh Zamanan tells {…}
Photo credit: Cory Weaver Opera Parallèle was founded in 2007 by conductor Nicole Paiement to develop and produce contemporary opera. It continues to pioneer the commissioning of new works and exploring underperformed musical creations and landscapes. Coming up in April 2024, Opera Parallèle (OP) joins with SFJAZZ to present “Birds & Balls,” a program of multimedia opera, pairing two short {…}
“Sometimes the worst behavior has the best soundtrack” says the title for Episode 21 of “Classics Explained,” an animated video series by Ben Levy that you can watch right now on YouTube. In fact, before we continue with the interview, check out the video right here. Much like Levy’s other videos in the series, this one gives viewers an enjoyable {…}
(Photo: Stéphane Gallois) Through his uniquely compelling performances, Rolando Villazón has firmly established himself as one of the music world’s most critically acclaimed and beloved stars and as one of the leading artistic voices of our day. It was as the winner of several prizes at the “Operalia” Competition in 1999 (including the audience award and the Zarzuela prize) that {…}
Ethan Krasnoo is a partner of RPJ Law who represented Samuel Schultz in the case which is believed to be the first time that a same-sex rape by and of adults has been prosecuted in Houston, if not the State of Texas. Throughout his career, Krasnoo has been a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community having provided pro bono services {…}
Tenor Pietro Adaíni knows his Rossini; the voice has an ethereal touch, with quick tops and loads of definition that make this Sicilian native tackle his coloraturas with nonchalance and an unusual air of ease. But there is more: Adaíni resonates with audiences. Like his role model Pavarotti, he communicates swiftly and, in his delivery, brandishes the proverbial smile. OperaWire {…}
Michael Schade is one of the leading tenors of our times who has appeared at many of the greatest theaters in the world including the Wiener Staatsoper, Metropolitan Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Hamburg State Opera, and the Berlin State Opera, among others. Throughout his career, he has performed a diverse repertoire that includes the music of Strauss, Rossini, Wagner, and {…}
Anyone who has cast their eye on the state of opera in the Republic of Ireland over recent years will no doubt be aware of the renaissance that has taken place there. Yet, far fewer people will know of the recent progress that has been made north of the border, where Northern Ireland Opera has emerged from Covid with an {…}