Marina Costa-Jackson, Zachary Nelson & Nicole Cabell Lead North Carolina Opera’s 2022-23 Season

North Carolina Opera has announced its 2022-23 season, featuring two company premieres and audience favorites. Here’s what the company has in store for audiences. NCO will present its season opener and company premiere of Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” in concert for one night only. The presentation stars Marina Costa-Jackson, Jonathan Burton, Levi Hernandez, and Donald Hartmann. NCO’s presentation of Puccini’s devastating {…}

Nov 5, 2021

Metropolitan Opera Announces Cast Change for ‘Porgy and Bess’

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its performances of the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess” on Nov. 6 and 10, 2021. The company noted that Maria will be sung by Tichina Vaughn, replacing Denyce Graves. Vaughn will return to the role which she stepped into earlier this week on Nov. 3 for the second performance of the run. {…}

Nov 3, 2021

Metropolitan Opera Announces Cast Change for ‘Porgy and Bess’ Performance

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its performance of the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess” on Nov. 3, 2021. The company noted that Maria will be sung by Tichina Vaughn, replacing Denyce Graves. Vaughn made her Met debut in 1990 as Lily in “Porgy and Bess” and has performed in “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto.” This season she is performing {…}

Nov 2, 2021

Metropolitan Opera 2021-22 Review: Porgy and Bess

(Credit: Evan Zimmerman) On October 31, 2021, the Metropolitan Opera opened this season’s run of the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess.” This revival of James Robinson’s acclaimed, 2019 production saw nearly the entire cast return to Catfish Row for a truly powerful opening night, led by conductor David Robertson. The set featured a rotating, framework of the boarding house which struck {…}

May 15, 2021

Q & A : Classical Musical Producer David Frost on The Art of Recording Music

(Credit: Greg Helgeson) On the other side of the concert stage or recording booth from the singer, another artist is working their magic. This is the music recording artist. They consult about repertoire, prepare for the recording sessions, produce them and later supervise all post-production activities. One of the best in this field is David Frost, who has produced numerous {…}

Apr 18, 2021

Q & A: Soprano Angel Blue on the Balancing Her Personal & Professional Life

Soprano Angel Blue has become an operatic sensation. She recently had a stellar turn as Bess in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-20 season opener of “Porgy and Bess”. This year the recording won a Grammy for Best Opera Recording, with Angel Blue giving the acceptance speech onscreen. A natural on camera, she has also launched and hosted an online chat show {…}

Mar 31, 2021

Q & A : Conductor David Robertson on ‘Porgy & Bess,’ Listening, & The Future of Opera

A former chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and former music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, David Robertson has served in numerous artistic leadership positions. To this day he occupies some of the most prominent platforms of the international music scene and has been named an “American musical visionary.” His work in opera has reached new heights {…}

Sep 26, 2020

Sarai Elizabeth Cole & Rebecca L. Hargrove Discuss the Black Community’s Love-Hate Relationship With ‘Porgy and Bess’

***Editorial Note: This article has been modified from its original version. (Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) “Porgy and Bess” is arguably America’s most celebrated and beloved opera. Following its premiere in 1935, the opera by George Gershwin about an African-American community in Charleston, South Carolina has become a mainstay of opera houses across the world, receiving major productions at {…}

Jun 23, 2020

PBS to Broadcast Metropolitan Opera’s ‘Porgy & Bess’ in July

PBS is set to present “Porgy and Bess” on July 17, 2020, as part of its Great Performances at the Met series. The telecast, which starts at 9 p.m., stars Eric Owens and Angel Blue in the title roles. Other cast members include Alfred Walker as Crown, Frederick Ballentine as Sportin’ Life, Latonia Moore as Serena, Golda Schultz as Clara, {…}

Mar 7, 2020

The Atlanta Opera Makes Major Cast Change to ‘Porgy & Bess’

There has been a major cast change for The Atlanta Opera’s production of “Porgy and Bess,” which opens on Saturday. Per an update to the official website made on March 4, 2020, Talise Trevigne will be taking on the title role of Bess for all performances. She replaces Kristen Lewis, who was originally scheduled. Trevigne has appeared in a number {…}

Jan 27, 2020

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD 2019-20 Preview: Eric Owens & Angel Blue Star in ‘Porgy and Bess’

(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) The Met Opera’s Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season continues this Saturday, Feb. 1, 2019 with a transmission of the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time and is set to end before 5 p.m. local time. It will star Angel Blue and Eric Owens in {…}

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