Earlier this year, American soprano Merissa Beddows stepped into the nation’s spotlight when she made her debut on the popular television show America’s Got Talent, stunning the audience and judges with her fluid and funny impressions of various artists. A recent graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, the last few years have seen Beddows win or take home prizes {…}
In September, mezzo-soprano Teresa Iervolino got a call from the Bayerische Staatsoper to perform “La Cenerentola” on short notice. The mezzo, who was already scheduled to perform at the house later in the month immediately said yes and began her season earlier than expected. A rising star in the opera world, Iervolino has already made her name performing Bel canto {…}
Originally hailing from New York City and born to a family of music lovers (her mother is the second oboist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and her father an avid operatic aficionado), the bubbly and affable soprano Melanie Spector is a shining example of the benefits of musical exposure as a child, and the long-term advantages of increasing access to {…}
Arizona Opera’s upcoming production of “The Falling and the Rising” is an operatic story of the unique service of those in the military who face danger, often paying the price of a great sacrifice. Staff Sergeant Ben Hilgert, serving in the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, is the visionary of the piece. His passion to tell this {…}
(Photo: Noah Shaye) OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Raffaele Pe: Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” in Parma, when I was 11. OW: What was the last opera you appeared in? RP: Vivaldi’s “Giustino” in Drottningholm, Stockholm. OW: What role are you currently performing? RP: Apollo in Mozart’s “Apollo et Hyacinthus” in Venice OW: In which opera are {…}
San Diego Opera presents the world premiere of “El último sueño de Frida y Diego / The Last Dream of Frida and Diego” on October 29, 2022, by Grammy Award-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Nilo Cruz. The show features mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Paz in the lead role as iconic painter Frida Kahlo and baritone Alfredo Daza as {…}
Born in Castro, Chile, but adopted from a very early age, Jonathan Tetelman grew up in New Jersey. He studied at Manhattan School of Music and the New School of Music and has been described as the most “exciting tenor discovery since Jonas Kaufmann,” “a total star,” and “a lyrical revelation,” among many other plaudits. Tetelman has established a very {…}
(Photo: House of Photography – Mark Ivory) There can be few singers with such a diverse and impressive CV as that of the Irish soprano Deirdre Masterson. Having made her stage debut at the age of 12 in the role of the Spirit in Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” and followed the usual training programs, she seemed destined for a successful {…}
Renée Fleming continues to push the boundaries as an artist. She has been an influential opera singer, recitalist, and mentor, and has built one of the most significant discographies of her generation. Her voice has been featured in many films and she has even done some cross-over work in jazz and rock. Now the soprano brings her artistic vision to {…}
Credit: Michele Monasta Over the past years, María José Siri’s status in the opera world has grown due to her historical performances all around the world. At the Ópera de Palmas, she became the first soprano to encore with the company. She subsequently became the first soprano in the Arena di Verona’s history to perform both roles in “Cavalleria Rusticana” {…}
(Credit: © Alex Schröder) This summer, after 40 years onstage, legendary soprano Nelly Miricioiu said goodbye to her performance career with concerts at Wigmore Hall and in Bucharest. The Romanian soprano was well-known for her interpretations in the bel canto and verismo repertoire and performed at all the leading opera houses in the world including the Teatro alla Scala, Metropolitan {…}