Credit: Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera has announced the schedule for its Summer HD Festival. Ten free opera screenings will be projected on the façade of the opera house in Lincoln Center Plaza on Aug. 26-Sept. 4. First up is a special presentation of the film “Moonstruck,” (1987) starring Academy Award-winner Cher, with costars Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, {…}
This week audiences will get rereleases of Maria Callas’ legendary performances as well as DVDs of two modern productions. Man Up / Man Down Sono Luminus releases “Man Up / Man Down,” the debut release from Constellation Men’s Ensemble (CME). Featured on the album are two world premiere recordings, both commissioned by the group for their annual new music weekend, {…}
(Credit: Metropolitan Opera) The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra has announced its first international tour in over 20 years. The company revealed that it would perform concerts in London, Paris, and Baden-Baden. “It has been more than 20 years since the Met Orchestra was last on tour in Europe, and I am so delighted to lead these wonderful musicians in programs that {…}
Pierre Boulez, eminent connoisseur of Berlioz and his oeuvre, has famously declared the French Romantic a key intermediary between Beethoven and Wagner, that is, respectively, the symphonic and operatic composers par excellence. His “Roméo et Juliette,” written in 1839, is by no means an exception as it combines, so to speak, the best of both worlds: a symphonic enacting of {…}
This week audiences will get solo recital albums, an opening night performance at La Scala, and Disney classics with one of the great mezzos of her generation. Shara Nova’s Titration Grammy Award-winning choir The Crossing, led by Donald Nally, releases its 30th album “Titration,” on Navona Records. Premiered at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center in Big Sky, Montana in August {…}
The Kansas City Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances for the season. Eduardo Strausser conducts the Kansas City Symphony Chorus in a program of music by Arvo Pärt, Giuseppe Verdi, and Robert Schumann. Performance Dates: Nov. 17-19, 2023 Michael Stern and Joyce DiDonato ring in the New Year with a program {…}
The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées has announced its 2023-24 season featuring opera, opera in concert, and recitals. Here is a look at the vocal performances of the season. Opera Thomas Hengelbrock conducts Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” in a production by Damiano Michieletto. Marina Viotti, Levy Sekgapane, Edward Nelson, and Peter Kálmán. Performance Dates: Oct. 9-19, 2023 Mozary’s “Die Zauberflöte” will be conducted {…}
A planned concert presentation of Bizet’s “Carmen” at Royal Albert Hall, featuring Joyce DiDonato, has been canceled due to the health of conductor John Nelson. While the nature of Nelson’s health condition has not been disclosed, his doctors have advised him to rest for several weeks before returning to the podium. According to an official press release, the scheduled performances {…}
Superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato has announced that she is canceling her concerts and recording of Bizet’s “Carmen” due to Grammy Award-winning conductor John Nelson‘s health. In a post on Instagram DiDonato wrote, “I am heartbroken to hear the news of John Nelson’s health which has made necessary his withdrawal from our planned concerts and recording of “Carmen.” She stated that Nelson {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its Live in HD series for the 2023-24 season. First up is “Dead Man Walking.” Yannick Nézet-Seguin conducts a cast starring Latonia Moore, Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, and Ryan McKinny. Screening Date: Oct. 21, 2023 Next up is “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X.” Leah Hawkins, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Victor Ryan Roberston, Will Liverman, and {…}
(Credit: Chris Singer) The American Academy of Teachers of Singing has recognized Joyce DiDonato | EDEN with a 2023 AATS Award. The award is “in recognition of artistic projects that model engagement and activism, and that highlight the importance of community.” DiDonato has championed artistic projects that have focused on prison reform, the plight of refugees, our times of war {…}