Q & A: Opera Carolina’s Dr. Shanté Williams on Passionate Leadership & Her New Role at Opera Carolina

Entrepreneur extraordinaire Dr. Shanté Williams, is a notable businesswoman, intellectual property strategist, specialist in neuro-oncology and pharmacology, and the first woman and person of color to lead Opera Carolina in the role of General Director. Dr. Williams talked with OperaWire about her unique journey to the opera world, her leadership style, and plans for the company. OperaWire: You hold degrees {…}

Jun 28, 2024

Q & A: Gregory Spears on Faith, Religion, ‘The Righteous’ & Santa Fe Opera

On July 13, the Santa Fe Opera is set to present the world premiere of “The Righteous” by Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith. The opera explores the tension between genuine faith and the fraught world of 1980s politics. Spears’ eighth opera represents the 19th world premiere for the company. Over the years, Spears’ acclaim as a contemporary composers has {…}

Jun 24, 2024

Q & A: CEO Guy Verrall-Withers on the Waterperry Opera Festival’s Past, Present & Future

Most opera enthusiasts across the world know about the Glyndebourne Festival. They may also know about other high-profile festivals set in country houses across England, such as The Grange Opera and the Longborough festivals. Few, however, will have heard of the Waterperry Festival, situated close to the city of Oxford. Established in 2017, the festival opened its doors the following {…}

Jun 21, 2024

Q & A: James Robinson on His New Production of ‘Galileo Galilei’ & Philip Glass

Since 2008, James Robinson has served as the Artistic Director of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL). He has emphasized a great deal on bringing modern works to the company and has directed such operas as Terence Blanchard’s “Champion” and “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” John Adams’ “The Death of Klinghoffer,” Marc Blitzstein’s “Regina,” Jack Perla’s “Shalimar the {…}

Jun 17, 2024

Q & A: Soprano Julie Fuchs on Baroque Music & Expanding Her Operatic Career

(Photo: Olivier Metzger) French soprano Julie Fuchs has been busy thrilling opera audiences all over Europe with her wide-ranging repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary. She is currently making her American debut in the title role of Händel’s “Partenope” at San Francisco Opera. A lifelong singer, Fuchs began her musical training in Avignon before going on to study at the Conservatoire {…}

May 31, 2024

Q & A: David B. Devan on His Time With Opera Philadelphia & Why It’s Time to Move On

Spring was in the air in Philadelphia when I met with David B. Devan in Opera Philadelphia’s Center City offices. Warm temperatures and flowers heralded a new season, as clearly as the empty offices signaled change for the opera company. Devan is stepping down as Opera Philadelphia’s general director at the end of May. It was a decision prompted in {…}

May 23, 2024

Q & A: Composer Layale Chaker on Creating ‘Ruinous Gods’ & Her Journey in Music

(Photo Credit Anna Rakhvalova) A violinist. A composer. A polyglot whose musical world combines classical contemporary music with jazz, Arabic music, and improvisation. This is Layale Chaker, whose blossoming career, which has seen her work performed by such organizations as the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, is set to take another step when her {…}

May 8, 2024

Q & A: Eugene Brancoveanu on Rigoletto, Modern Music & Opera San Jose

(Photo credit: David Allen) Romanian baritone Eugene Brancoveanu recently returned to Opera San Jose for the title role of “Rigoletto” as a Resident Artist Emeritus. It’s a role he has performed on numerous occasions and one that he continues to explore with each production. His return to Opera San Jose was also special as he has been with the company {…}

May 7, 2024

Q & A: Advocating For Women On and Off Stage With Rebecca Krynski Cox & Maria Todaro

(Photo credit: Leonor Anthony) Hours before her final debut performance as Mimì in Florida Grand Opera’s “La Bohème,” soprano Rebecca Krynski Cox announced via Instagram that she is nine months pregnant. Cox and Florida Grand Opera’s General Director Maria Todaro spoke with OperaWire about working together through this process and on the importance of supporting women and pregnant people within {…}

Apr 16, 2024

Q & A: Ricky Ian Gordon Revisits ‘The Grapes of Wrath’

(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 {…}

Apr 9, 2024

Q & A: Raphael Fusco & His New Cantata ‘Un’alma inamorata’

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 {…}

Behind the Scenes