Kathryn Lewek & Sarah Coit Lead Toledo Opera’s 2023-24 Season

Ohio’s Toledo Opera has announced its lineup for the 2023-24 season. For its 65th season, the company will present three much-loved operatic works. First up is Gioachino Rossini’s “Cinderella.” The classic fairytale stars mezzo-soprano Sarah Coit as Angelina (Cinderella) and tenor David Walton as Prince Ramiro. Also among the cast are Adelmo Guidarelli, Keith Phares, Sara Mortensen, Imara Miles, and Jason {…}

Marsha Thompson, Todd Thomas & Keith Phares Headline Charlottesville Opera’s 2023 Season

The Charlottesville Opera has announced the casts and operas for its 2023 season. The season will include Frank Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls” and Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca,” two works never performed by the company. “We are excited to present these classic productions for our audience here in Charlottesville. Both shows exemplify what we all love about musical storytelling, great characters, and {…}

Jill Gardner, Lauren Decker & Alyson Cambridge Lead Toledo Opera’s 2022-23 Season

The Toledo Opera has announced its 2022-23 Season. The company will return to Valentine Theatre and will celebrate its 64th season. The season opens with Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Maestro Geoffrey McDonald conducts the double bill with stage director Keturah Stickann helming. “Suor Angelica” stars soprano Jill Gardner as Angelica and contralto Lauren Decker as the Principessa while {…}

Q & A: Baritone Keith Phares on Recording ‘Prince of Players’ & the Challenges of COVID-19

Baritone Keith Phares, renowned as a master of a wide repertoire ranging from Mozart through to today’s most prominent composers, has been recognised as “an authentic contemporary-American-opera divo” in the media. Recently, in this year’s Grammy Awards, he shined as nominee for Best Opera Recording for his soloist role in Carlisle Floyd’s “Prince of Players.” This was a recording of {…}

Chicago Opera Theater 2017-18 Review – Il Pigmalione and Rita: A Double-Bill of Donizetti Pays Worthy Homage to His Genius

Seasoned operagoers are very familiar with Gaetano Donizetti, although most have only seen a paltry number of his works including the likes of “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Anna Bolena” and “La Fille du Régiment.” Donizetti is known as opera’s most prolific popular composer with over 70 operas to his name with many providing fertile unexplored territory. The innovative Chicago Opera Theater has forged {…}