Angel Blue, Corrine Winters & Edgardo Rocha Lead Washington Concert Opera’s 2024-25 Season

The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” starring Corinne Winters, Joshua Guerrero, and Levi Hernandez. Performance Date: Nov. 24, 2024 Tamara Wilson, Edgardo Rocha, Stephanie Doche, and Meridian Prall star in Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito.” Performance Date: March 1, 2025 Angel Blue, Kang Wang, and George Gadnize lead in Verdi’s “Luisa {…}

Feb 28, 2024

Angela Meade & Ailyn Pérez Lead Washington Concert Opera’s 2023-24 Season

The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2023-24 season. The company will present two rarely performed works from the Italian repertoire. Rossini’s “Ermione” is set to star Angela Meade, Lawrence Brownlee, David Portillo, and Ginger Costa-Jackson. Performance Date: Dec. 2, 2023 Ailyn Pérez, Mario Chang, Jonathan Johnson, Deanna Breiwick, Javier Arrey, Tess Ottinger, Natalie Conte, and Melanie Ashkar star in {…}

Jan 14, 2023

Melody Wilson Joins Washington Concert Opera’s Nabucco’

Washington Concert Opera has announced a cast addition for its upcoming performance of “Nabucco.” The company revealed that mezzo-soprano Melody Wilson would be joining the cast as Fenena in her WCO debut. She joins a cast that stars Lester Lynch in the title role, Alexandra Loutsion as Abigaile, Peter Volpe as Zaccaria, and Andres Acosta as Ismaele. Wilson is a {…}

Nov 28, 2022

Washington Concert Opera Announces Cast Change for ‘Roberto Devereux’

Washington Concert Opera has announced a cast change for its performance of “Roberto Devereux.” The company revealed that Andrew Owens will take on the title role, replacing Rene Barbera who will be unable to appear due to unforeseen circumstances. Owens has performed with such companies as the Opernhaus Zürich, the Rossini Opera Festival, the Festival Aix-en-Provence, the Irish National Opera, {…}

Nov 6, 2022

René Barbera & Roberta Mantegna Lead Washington Concert Opera’s ‘Roberto Devereux’

(Credit: Anna Barbera) The Washington Concert Opera is set to open its new season with Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux.” The opera, which will be shown at the Lisner Auditorium on Dec. 4, 2022, is arguably the best opera from Donizetti’s dramatic “Tudor trilogy” and focuses on the Earl of Essex during his service to Queen Elizabeth. The cast will showcase René {…}

Jul 11, 2022

Roberta Mantegna, Lester Lynch & René Barbera Lead Washington Concert Opera’s 2022-23 Season

The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2022-23 season. The company will celebrate the Bel Canto tradition with Donizetti and Verdi with the theme “Stories Through Sound.” The season will open with the WCO Gala at the French Embassy. Performance Date: Oct 12, 2022 The first mainstage production will be Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” starring René Barbera in the title role, {…}

Apr 20, 2022

Washington Concert Opera Announces New Executive Director

The Washington Concert Opera has announced that Meg Sippey is its new Executive Director, effective April 18, 2022. Sippey has held management positions with such organizations as Bay Atlantic Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Opera Theater, and Houston Grand Opera. Additionally, she also performed as a professional flutist prior to work in management. “I am {…}

Nov 25, 2021

Obitutary: Washington Concert Opera Founder Stephen Crout Dies at 77

On Nov. 23, former opera and ballet conductor Stephen Crout died at the age of 77. Crout died a the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Born in Elmira, New York, he was the younger of two sons of Dorothy Frank Bly and Walter Bly, taking the surname “Crout” upon his mother’s second marriage to Norman Crout and the latter’s adoption {…}

Oct 23, 2021

Hindus Urge Washington Concert Opera To Discard ‘Lakmé’

Hindus are urging the Washington Concert Opera in Washington DC to withdraw Delibes’s “Lakmé” from the 2021-22 season. The work is scheduled to be performed on May 22, 2022, and according to Hindi statesman Rajan Zed, the work “seriously trivializes Hindu religion and other traditions.” Zed noted, “that a renowned institution like WCO should not be in the business of {…}

Sep 2, 2021

Washington Concert Opera to Present Opera Outside

On Sept. 12, the Washington Concert Opera will present “Opera Outside.” The performance will be a casual outdoor concert on the upper field of Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park and will feature soloists soprano Ashley Marie Robillard and baritone Efraín Solís accompanied by David Hanlon. The event, which will begin at 11 A.M, will be free of charge with audiences of {…}

Aug 22, 2021

Washington Concert Opera Announces New Health Regulations

The Washington Concert Opera will require proof of vaccination for its upcoming 2021-22 season. The organization announced that it will require all guests, staff, and artists to be fully vaccinated in order to attend performances and events until further notice. The company noted that a “fully vaccinated” person means that either 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose {…}

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