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Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Soprano Mary Dunleavy On ‘Dinner At Eight,’ Critics & More Strauss

https://operawire.com/q-a-soprano-mary-dunleavy-on-dinner-at-eight-critics-more-strauss/

This year, Wexford Festival Opera presented the European premiere of William Bolcom and Mark Campbell’s opera “Dinner at Eight,” an operatic version of the stage play and Hollywood film of the same name. At the center of the opera is Millicent Jordan, who was portrayed in this version by soprano Mary Dunleavy. The American soprano has sung all over the {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts 2026 Review: A Hundred Years On

https://operawire.com/highmark-mann-center-for-the-performing-arts-2026-review-a-hundred-years-on/

(Photo Credit: Jordan August Photography, Courtesy of Highmark Mann.) When an artistic institution plans a 250th U.S. birthday concert in a political atmosphere like the one we find ourselves in today, the question is: where do they plan to fall on the balancing act spectrum of patriotism and honesty? It’s exceedingly hard to nail, and despite putting on a truly {…}

News

Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts to Present World Premiere of ‘A Hundred Years On’

https://operawire.com/highmark-mann-center-for-the-performing-arts-to-present-world-premiere-of-a-hundred-years-on/

The Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts is set to present the world premiere of Peter Boyer and Mark Campbell’s oratorio “A Hundred Years On” on June 17, 2026. The work, which is about the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, will be performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Crossing, under Anthony Parnther and Donald Nally. The cast includes {…}

News

Marin Alsop Leads Highmark Mann in 50th Anniversary Celebration

https://operawire.com/marin-alsop-leads-highmark-mann-in-50th-anniversary-celebration/

(Photo credit: Brandon Patoc) For its 2026 season, Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary at Fairmount Park. This article only features classical music events. Highmark Mann’s newly commissioned oratorio, “A Hundred Years On” by Peter Boyer and Mark Campbell celebrates the 1876 Centennial Exposition, which took place in Fairmount Park. Soloists include sopranos Mary Dunleavy, {…}

News

Des Moines Metro Opera to Present ‘American Apollo’

https://operawire.com/des-moines-metro-opera-to-present-american-apollo/

Des Moines Metro Opera is set to present the world premiere of “American Apollo.” The new opera by composer Damien Geter and librettist Lila Palmer, which was originally conceived as a 20-minute chamber opera in 2021 as part of Washington National Opera’s American Opera Initiative, was expanded and transformed into a full-length work. The cast will include baritone Justin Austin {…}

News

Des Moines Metro Opera Announces Casting Updates

https://operawire.com/des-moines-metro-opera-announces-casting-updates/

The Des Moines Metro Opera has announced casting updates and an additional performance for the company’s 2024 Festival Season. The company noted that due to strong early ticket sales, there will be an additional performance of Damien Geter and Lila Palmer’s world premiere opera, “American Apollo.” The added performance will occur on Friday, July 19 at the Blank Performing Arts {…}

News

Obituary: Influential Conductor, Vocal Coach & Pianist Thomas Muraco Passes Away

https://operawire.com/obituary-influential-conductor-vocal-coach-pianist-thomas-muraco-passes-away/

Musician Thomas Muraco has died. According to the Manhattan School of Music, where Muraco was a faculty member, the esteemed teacher and musician passed away on Feb. 3, 2024, after a sudden illness. He was surrounded by his sister Lorraine, partner Thomas, and close friends and colleagues. Muraco began his conducting career as an assistant to Leonard Bernstein, John Nelson, {…}

News

Des Moines Metro Opera Festival 2024 Announces Lineup

https://operawire.com/des-moines-metro-opera-festival-2024-announces-lineup/

Des Moines Metro Opera Announces its lineup for its 2024 festival. All productions will be performed in rotating repertory at the Pote Theatre at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa. Each opera features English supertitles. The Des Moines Metro Opera Festival Orchestra will accompany all four productions. Starting things off is Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” starring baritone {…}

News

Ailyn Pérez, Matthew Polenzani Among 100 Singers Join Forces for Campbell & Moravec’s ‘Light Shall Lift Us’

https://operawire.com/ailyn-perez-matthew-polenzani-among-100-singers-join-forces-for-campbell-moravecs-light-shall-lift-us/

Over 100 singers came together for a video performance of “Light Shall Lift Us,” a work by librettist Mark Campbell and composer Paul Moravec. The duo, which has worked together on “The Shining” proposed the idea to Marc Scorca of Opera America, who embraced the idea and helped put together the 107 artists who would eventually record their individual parts {…}