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News

Bard College Opens Up Investigation into Leon Botstein and Epstein’s Ties

https://operawire.com/bard-college-opens-up-investigation-into-leon-botstein-and-epsteins-ties/

Bard College has opened up an investigation into Leon Botstein’s ties to Epstein. The Guardian is reporting that the college’s board of trustees retained the outside law firm of WilmerHale to conduct an independent investigation of the “full scope of these communications,” financial contributions connected to Epstein, and any related matters. The board also noted that once the investigation was {…}

News

Bard College Trustees Hold Emergency Meeting Regarding Leon Botstein

https://operawire.com/bard-college-trustees-holds-emergency-meeting-regardng-leon-botstein/

The Bard College board of trustees has allegedly called an emergency meeting following the revelation that Leon Botstein was in frequent contact with Jeffrey Epstein. The Mid Hudson News is reporting that meeting was held on Feb. 16 and was about the Epstein files. While Botstein has not been accused of any wrongdoing, students have condemned Botstein for engaging with {…}

News

Leon Botstein Was in Contact With Epstein After Accusations Resurfaced; Emails Show Epstein Was Opera Aficionado

https://operawire.com/leon-botstein-in-contact-with-epstein-after-accusations-resurfaced-emails-show-epstein-was-opera-aficionado/

Newly reviewed emails from the Jeffrey Epstein Files are indicating that Leon Botstein was aware of previous allegations against Epstein. According to an email uncovered by the Times Union on Jan. 4, 2015, Botstein offered Epstein words of condolences a day after The Guardian published a story about Epstein’s ties to then-Prince Andrew. The email read, “When I sent you {…}

News

Conductor Leon Botstein Appears in Epstein Files; Conductor Responds

https://operawire.com/leon-botstein-appears-in-epstein-files-conductor-responds/

(Credit: Ric Kallaher) Following the release of 3.5 million Epstein files, it was revealed that conductor Leon Botstein was in contact with the child sex offender, serial rapist, and human trafficker across numerous email communications. According to a search from OperaWire, Botstein appears in 1000s of emails regarding meetings with Epstein that trace back 2012, years after Epstein had pleaded {…}

News

Stephanie Blythe & Leon Botstein Headline Fisher Center at Bard’s World Opera Day Celebration

https://operawire.com/stephanie-blythe-leon-bostein-headline-fisher-center-at-bards-world-opera-day-celebration/

Fisher Center at Bard will celebrate World Opera Day on Oct. 25 with a conversation between conductor Leon Botstein and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe. The two artists will discuss the world of opera today with a focus on its adaptation to current challenges and circumstances. “Opera is immune to technological reproduction and is a unique amalgam of the visual language and {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Leon Botstein On The American Premiere Of ‘Das Wunder der Heliane’ & The Future Of Opera

https://operawire.com/q-a-leon-botstein-on-the-american-premiere-of-das-wunder-der-heliane-the-future-of-opera/

(Credit: Chris Kayden) The Bard Summerscape has been known for programming unknown works that are either rarely performed or have never been showcased in the United States. This year the festival dedicated its program to Korngold, one of the foremost composers of the 20th century. Continuing its tradition of performing one fully staged opera production, Bard is presenting the American {…}

News, Season Announcement

Bard SummerScape & Music Festival Announces 2026 Season

https://operawire.com/bard-summerscape-music-festival-announces-2026-season/

The Bard SummerScape and Music Festival has announced its 2026 season. Here is a look at the vocal selections. Opera/SummerScape Courtney Bryan and Gideon Lester’s “Suddenly Last Summer” will make its world premiere in a production by Daniel Fish. Nathan Koci conducts the work with a cast that includes Mikaela Bennett as Catharine Holly and Tina Benko as Mrs. Venable. Performance Dates: {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

American Symphony Orchestra 2025-26 Review: Requiem & Revelation

https://operawire.com/american-symphony-orchestra-2025-26-review-requiem-revelation/

(Photo: Matt Dine) American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) performed “Requiem & Revelation” at St. Bartholomew’s Church led by conductor Leon Botstein, featuring the Bard Festival Chorale and soloists soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer, mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann, tenor Eric Taylor, and bass Harold Wilson. The evening showcased the US premiere of Peter Cornelius’ “Stabat Mater” (1849) and Luigi Cherubini’s “Requiem in C minor” {…}

Reviews

Bard’s Summerscape Festival 2025 Review: Dalibor

https://operawire.com/bards-summerscape-festival-2025-review-dalibor/

Many who visit OperaWire regularly have their various interests in what one might call, operatic “rarities”–works that have achieved, to an extent, legendary status despite being seldom staged. As an avid lover of Hector Berlioz’s archetypal romantic career, I devoured both the Barzun and Cairns biographies of the composer more than once. And such a rarity mentioned was Spontini’s “La {…}