J’Nai Bridges, Yonghoon Lee, Russell Thomas, Diego Torre, Vanessa Goikoetxea Headline Seattle Opera’s 2024-25 Season

Seattle Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. “The 2024-25 season really offers something for everybody,” said general director Christina Scheppelmann in an official press statement. “We’re bringing in some of our audiences’ all-time favorite operas, like ‘Tosca’ and ‘The Magic Flute,’ in addition to a pair of remarkable new pieces from some of today’s most acclaimed and imaginative creators. And {…}

Jan 4, 2024

Seattle Opera to Present ‘X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X’

Seattle Opera is set to present “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” this February. The famed opera by Thulani Davis and Anthony Davis will be presented in a production by Robert O’Hara and stars Kenneth Kellogg in the title role. He is joined by Joshua Stewart, Joshua Conyers, Leah Hawkins, Ronnita Miller, and Allison Pohl, among others. Kazem {…}

Dec 20, 2023

Seattle Opera Announces Winter Season Youth Programing

Seattle Opera released the details of its youth activities planned for the winter season. The company’s lineup of youth education programs comes swiftly after its $250,000 Hearst Foundations grant. The grant builds on Seattle Opera’s existing in-school K–12 programs, and allows for for developing programs and strengthening partnerships with Highline Public Schools. The Pacific Science Center hosts “Laser Opera.” Dramaturg {…}

Dec 6, 2023

Seattle Opera Unveils Details for Anniversary Gala ‘Windows from the Past, Doors to the Future’

Seattle Opera has announced the lineup for its 60th anniversary concert “Windows from the Past, Doors to the Future.” The event, scheduled for one night only on May 11, 2023 at McCaw Hall, will feature Greer Grimsley as both co-host and singer. He is joined by Ginger Costa-Jackson, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Sarah Coburn, John Moore, Duke Kim, Amitai Pati, and {…}

Nov 15, 2023

Seattle Opera Announces Next Director of Development

Seattle Opera has announced that Chris Burkett will be its next Director of Development. Burkett assumed the role in October 2023 and has been with the company since 2018 when he was hired as an Individual Giving Officer. Then in 2021, he took over the role of Associate Director of Development for Individual Giving. “I am honored to be entrusted {…}

Nov 11, 2023

Seattle Opera to Host Black Artists Market

(Photo credit: Seattle Opera) Seattle Opera is partnering with Intentionalist, ARTE NOIR, and Wa Na Wari to host a Black Artists Market in support and celebration of local Black artisans. Nearly two dozen booths representing Black artists and Black-owned small businesses will fill the halls of the Opera Center. The Black Artists Market coincides with the Seattle Christmas Market, performances {…}

Oct 22, 2023

The Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band and Seattle Opera Veterans Choir to Present ‘Portraits of Service’

On Nov. 3, 2023, the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band and Seattle Opera Veterans Choir will perform the concert “Portraits of Service,” featuring the debut of “The Path,” a new song by composer Damien Geter and lyricist Jerre Dye. “‘The Path’ captures an intimate exchange between two veterans at very different moments in their lives,” said lyricist {…}

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 2, 2023

Seattle Opera Announces Holiday Chorus Concert

Seattle Opera has announced that it will present a series of holiday chorus concerts this December. Slated for Dec. 6, 8, 9, and 10 at the Tagney Jones Hall, the program will feature works by Giuseppe Verdi, Ottorino Respighi, Melinda Bargreen, Pietro Mascagni, Gian Carlo Menotti, Kevin Puts, and P.D.Q. Bach, among others. Michaella Calzaretta conducts. The concert’s duration is {…}

Aug 17, 2023

Seattle Opera 2023-24 Review: Das Rheingold

(Photo credit: Seattle Opera © Philip Newton) Why build an elaborate faux-underwater set for the Rhine scenes in Wagner’s “Ring” when you have an orchestra pit that can make a perfectly plausible stage river? It’s an idea so obvious, you think surely, it must have been tried already. This is the solution found by Brian Staufenbiel, tasked with staging “Das {…}

Aug 1, 2023

Camille Ortiz & Michael J. Hawk Named Resident Artists at Seattle Opera

Seattle Opera has announced that Camille Ortiz and Michael J. Hawk are the company’s new Resident Artists. The Resident Artists positions give singers “salaried, full-season experience with Seattle Opera, where they will receive professional development, performance, and mentorship opportunities along with the stability of a long-term partnership.” “The Resident Artist position offers singers a supportive environment to expand their repertoire {…}