Kelly Guerra, Derek Chester, Aaron Sheehan, Hadleigh Adams Headline West Edge Opera’s 2025 Summer Festival

https://operawire.com/kelly-guerra-derek-chester-aaron-sheehan-hadleigh-adams-headline-west-edge-operas-2025-summer-festival/

West Edge Opera has announced its 2025 summer festival. First on the slate is Nicolás Lell Benavides and Marella Koch’s “Dolores,” which was developed through the company’s Aperture Program. It explores the journey of activist Dolores Huerta and her work with the United Farm Workers during the Delano Grape Strike, among other major events. The opera stars Kelly Guerra, Phillip {…}

News, Streaming

Maya Kherani, Amanda Forsythe & Aaron Sheehan Headline Baroque Streams For Holidays

https://operawire.com/maya-kherani-amanda-forsythe-aaron-sheehan-headline-baroque-streams-for-holidays/

(Credit: https://www.wgbh.org/music/baroque-christmas-bemf) Boston Baroque and Boston Early Music Festival will stream several baroque pieces for the holidays, including Händel’s celebrated “Messiah.” First up, soprano Maya Kherani, counter-tenor Christopher Lowrey, tenor Aaron Sheehan, and bass-baritone Kevin Deas perform “Messiah.” Boston Baroque Music Director Martin Pearlman conducts. The concert was recorded and streamed live on IDAGIO on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 in {…}

Reviews

Musikfest Bremen 2025 Review: The Dragon of Wantley

https://operawire.com/musikfest-bremen-2025-review-the-dragon-of-wantley/

(Credit: Patric Leo) John Frederick Lampe’s “The Dragon of Wantley” (1737), with libretto by Henry Carey, is one of the sharpest English burlesques of the 18th century. By dressing up absurd English verse in the grand musical gestures associated with Handel, it gleefully mocked the Italian operas that had dominated London. The parody was so effective—and so popular—that it undercut {…}

IndieOpera

Kelly Guerra to Headline Opera Southwest’s ‘Dolores’

https://operawire.com/kelly-guerra-to-headline-opera-southwests-dolores/

Opera Southwest will present “Dolores” this October. The opera, which explores the story of civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, will take the stage of the National Hispanic Cultural Center-Journal Theatre on Oct. 26, 31, and Nov. 2, 2025. The work is set in 1968 during the Delano grape strike’s third year as farmworkers in California built a unified movement to {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Boston Early Music Festival 2025 Review: Octavia

https://operawire.com/boston-early-music-festival-2025-review-octavia/

(Photo: Kathy Wittman) Once every other year, Boston becomes THE city to be in if you are a hardcore early music addict. While many festivals claim to focus on early music, they often stick to the usual crowd-pleasers—Bach, one of the Scarlatti’s, Vivaldi, etc. The Boston Early Music Festival (BEMF) offers something stronger. Under the leadership of Paul O’Dette and {…}

Season Announcement

Renée Fleming, Kathryn Lewek, Joyce DiDonato, Lauren Snouffer, Samantha Hankey Headline Oratorio Society of New York’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/renee-fleming-kathryn-lewek-joyce-didonato-lauren-snouffer-samantha-hankey-headline-oratorio-society-of-new-yorks-2025-26-season/

Oratorio Society of New York has unveiled its 2025-26 season. First up is Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor and John Corigliano’s “Fern Hill” starring Jennifer Zetlan, Samantha Hankey, Alex Richardson, and Joseph Parish. The performance takes place at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Performance Date: Nov. 10, 2025 Then comes the “Messiah” in time for the holidays. The {…}

News, Season Announcement

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale Unveils 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/philharmonia-baroque-orchestra-chorale-unveils-2025-26-season/

The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale has announced its 2025-26 season. “The 2025-26 Season is rooted in discovery—of voices from the past and present, of beloved favorites, rarely heard works, and fresh perspectives… Through thoughtful community engagement initiatives to develop new audiences and future supporters, we’re offering everyone a chance to experience this music with renewed depth, curiosity, and joy,” {…}

News

Washington Bach Consort Announces 2024-25 Season

https://operawire.com/washington-bach-consort-announces-2024-25-season/

The Washington Bach Consort has released the details of its 2024-25 season. For the purposes of this article only vocal works are included. Opening the ensemble’s 47th season is Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion.” Aaron Sheehan sings the Evangelist, with Jonathan Woody as Jesus. Sopranos include Clara Rottsolk and Margot Rood, Kristen Dubenion-Smith and Rhianna Cockrell sing the alto parts, with tenors Jacob {…}