Opera Lafayette will close out its 2023-24 season with “The Era of Madame de Maintenon.” The showcase, scheduled for May 3 – 9, 2024 in New York and Washington D.C., will explore the life and times of the last mistress and secret wife of Louis XIV. First up will be “Les Fêtes de Thalie” in Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center on {…}
(Photo credit: NBC) On Feb. 5, the NBC Nightly News ran a feature on OperaCréole and Opera Lafayette on their efforts to produce the earliest known opera by a Black American,”Morgiane.” NBC Nightly News traveled to New Orleans to film a segment on OperaCréole’s Artistic Director Givonna Joseph and her work to bring restorative justice to American opera through presentations {…}
Nearly thirty years ago, Ryan Brown created Opera Lafayette (OL), an organization dedicated to exploring baroque opera and its history via implementing period-instruments. But after being at the helm of the company and shepherding its growth into one of the major torchbearers for early opera performance tradition around the world, he’s decided to step away in 2025. In his place {…}
Opera Lafayette has unveiled its 2023-24 season, titled “Era of Madame de Maintenon.” It all kicks off with “Couperin le Grand” at The Kennedy Center and the Kosciuszko Foundation. The concert, which features music by Couperin, will be headlined by conductor Christophe Rousset, bass-baritone Jonathan Woody, and violinist Jacob Ashworth. Performance Dates: Oct. 25 (DC), Oct. 26 (NYC) Next up is {…}
Photo Credit: Opera Lafayette Opera Lafayette announced its Founder and Artistic Director Ryan Brown will step down from the position in 2025. With this announcement, Patrick Dupre Quigley has been named Artistic Director Designate. Quigley’s new role has taken effect. Moving forward, he will work closely with Brown for the next two seasons, along with the musicians, audience, staff, and {…}
Opera Lafayette opens its 2022-23 season with two Baroque recitals given by Czech mezzo-soprano Markéta Cukrová and harpist Christa Patton. The season kickoff event will also include remarks by Artistic Director Ryan Brown on the coming season and the completion of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s never-bever-seen opera “Io.” These recitals will take place on October 24 in New York and Washington, D.C. {…}
Opera Lafayette has announced its 2022-23 season. Starting things off with “Pergolesi,” a program featuring the music of Pergolesi. Conducted by Patrick Dupré Quigly and directed by Nick Olcott, the showcase will star such singers as Gwendoline Blondeel, Sarah Mesko, Hanna De Priest, Jonathan Woody, and Patrick Kilbride. Performance Date: Feb. 2, 2023(Kennedy Center) and May 11, 2023 (Museo del {…}
Opera Lafayette has announced its 2022 season which is entitled “The Era of Marie Antoinette, Rediscovered.” The season will include three showcases starting with Grétry’s “Silvain.” The 1770 opera, the first to be presented in New Orleans in 1796, will get shown at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and at El Museo in New York City. Artistic Director Ryan {…}
Washington D.C.-based Opera Lafayette has announced the lineup for its “Fête de la Musique,” a free virtual 12-hour classical music feast featuring the music of Bach, Britten, Forqueray, Couperin, Rameau, and Roussel, among others. “Fête de la Musique” kicks off on June 20 and runs from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. EDT. The event coincides with the first day of {…}
During the first week of the year audiences can check out a debut album or a rarely performed version of a well-known work. As always here this week’s streaming releases. I Wonder as I Wander Baritone James Newby releases his debut album on BIS records. The new album features the works of Beethoven, Britten, Mahler, and Schubert. Joseph Middleton accompanies {…}
With the Easter weekend upon us, many opera companies have taken a break from performances. This week’s installment, as a result, will be a bit more limited. Don Giovanni – Houston Grand Opera Mozart’s masterpiece opens on Saturday at the Houston Grand Opera with an impressive cast that includes Ryan McKinny, Paolo Bordogna, Ailyn Pérez, Melody Moore, Ben Bliss, Dorothy {…}