Anthony Roth Costanzo Named General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia

Opera Philadelphia has appointed Anthony Roth Costanzo as its new General Director and President. The Opera Philadelphia Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment which will see Costanzo shape the future of the company, and oversee fundraising and business strategies, audience development, community initiatives, and artistic planning. He will become the seventh General Director since the company was founded in 1975, {…}

Apr 6, 2024

International Friends of Festival Verdi Announces New Executive Director

Michael J. Bolton has been named the new executive director of the International Friends of Festival Verdi. Bolton began in this position on March 18. He now leads the organization in its mission to promote and support the Teatro Regio di Parma’s Festival Verdi, honoring the legacy of the renowned Italian composer. Bolton brings a wealth of experience in arts {…}

Mar 21, 2024

The Apollo & Opera Philadelphia to Partner on New Black America Opera Canon

The Apollo in New York and Opera Philadelphia have announced a multi-year partnership to co-create new Black America operas. The two organizations previously partnered in 2016 and 2017 on such works as “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird” and “We Shall Not Be Moved.” As part of the partnership, they will “share resources, ideas, infrastructure and talent through joint research, artist residencies, workshops, {…}

Mar 20, 2024

Opera Philadelphia to Present New Production of ‘Madama Butterfly’

Opera Philadelphia’s 2023-2024 Season closes with a new production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The new production designed by Yuki Izumihara and directed by Ethan Heard seeks to explore ─ and explode ─ the opera’s core, damaging stereotype of “the submissive, self-sacrificing Asian woman.” In a statement, Izumihara said, “Puccini trapped his Butterfly in a beautiful score. In turn, ‘Madame Butterfly’ {…}

Feb 26, 2024

Opera Philadelphia to Present Karen Slack in ‘To Sit and Dream’

Opera Philadelphia will present Karen Slack in “To Sit and Dream” as part of its Sounds of America series. The concert will be held on March 17, 2024 at Philadelphia’s Tindley Temple United Methodist Church. Appearing in this program alongside the Philadelphia Opera Chorus in partnership with Wharton-Wesley Faith Ensemble, Slack is featured in a program of music by Black {…}

Feb 14, 2024

Opera Philadelphia’s O Festival is on Hold

Opera Philadelphia is putting its O Festival on hold. The news comes as the company announced its 2024-25 season, which included three opera productions. In a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Opera Philadelphia general director and president David B. Devan said, “It worked for a time, and then COVID happened and it’s not working the way it once did. We need {…}

Feb 13, 2024

Opera Philadelphia’s 2024-25 Season to Feature Works by Missy Mazzoli, Joseph Bologne & Mozart

(Photo credit: Erik Berg) Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2024-25 season. First up is the American premiere of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “The Listeners,” an opera based on an original story by Jordan Tannahill. The work explores how far Americans are willing to go to find a “sense of place and purpose, and the way in which confident, charming {…}

Jan 25, 2024

Opera Philadelphia to Celebrate David B. Devan

(Photo credit: Gene Smirnov) Opera Philadelphia is set to hold “Toi Toi Toi,” a fundraising event celebrating David B. Devan’s contributions to the company. Devan, the company’s General Director and President since 2011 has announced the end of his tenure. During his time leading Opera Philadelphia, the opera company has been described as “a hotbed of operatic innovation” by the {…}

Jan 15, 2024

Karen Slack to Perform the Poems of Langston Hughes in Philadelphia

(Photo credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Soprano Karen Slack will present “To Sit and Dream,” a concert comprised of the poems of Langston Hughes on March 17 in Philadelphia. In partnership with the Wharton-Wesley Faith Ensemble and Philadelphia soprano Slack will give a program of music by Black composers centered on four choral settings of Hughes’ poetry. Composers included on the {…}

Oct 17, 2023

New Study Finds Gender Inequality & Non-Standard Work in US Opera Production

(Photo credit: Adrien Coquet) Dr. Caitlin Vincent (University of Melbourne) and Dr. Amanda Coles (Deakin University) have published their findings on the gender inequality and the impacts of non-standard work in the US opera industry. The team tracked women’s representation as conductors, directors, and designers at the 11 largest opera companies in the United States – the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe {…}

Oct 1, 2023

Opera Philadelphia Announces Another Cast Change for ‘Simon Boccanegra’

Opera Philadelphia has announced a new cast change for its production of “Simon Boccanegra” on Oct. 1, 2023. The company said, “Last night, Jennifer Rowley made her Opera Philadelphia debut, jumping into the role of Maria/Amelia last-minute and charming Friday night’s audience. You have another chance to see her at Sunday’s 2:00 p.m. matinee.” Rowley also added, “With a little {…}

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