Opera Profile: ‘Champion,’ Terrence Blanchard & Michael Cristofer’s ‘Opera in Jazz’

https://operawire.com/opera-profile-champion-terrence-blanchard-michael-cristofers-opera-in-jazz/

(Credit: Ken Howard) Terrence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer’s “Champion” is termed an “opera in jazz,” a unique choice of words. There are a lot of operas in the history of the artform that have gone under the designation of “jazz opera,” but the choice here speaks to Blanchard’s decision to use the full range of jazz expression in the context {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Lyric Opera of Chicago 2023-24 Review: Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’

https://operawire.com/lyric-opera-of-chicago-review-terence-blanchards-champion/

(Photo: Michael Brosilow) Fresh from a Metropolitan Opera premiere last spring (and its subsequent Grammy Award victory), Terence Blanchard’s first opera in jazz, “Champion,” enjoyed its Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere in James Robinson’s vivid and effective staging, a co-production on January 27th, 2024. A dazzling cast led by Justin Austin as Emile Griffith made a powerful case for repeated {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2022-23 Review: Champion

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2022-23-review-champion/

Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer’s “Champion” made its Met Opera premiere on April 10, 2023 to a nearly sold-out crowd. Just entering the main lobby, you were met with a 10-minute line to pick up tickets. But most importantly, you could feel the buzz in the space, a massive, diverse audience, ready to take in what is undeniably a major {…}

News

The Metropolitan Opera to Present Premiere of ‘Champion’

https://operawire.com/the-metropolitan-opera-to-present-premiere-of-champion/

(Credit: Zenith Richards / Met Opera) Terence Blanchard’s “Champion,” based on the true story of the troubled former middleweight boxing champion Emile Griffith, will make its highly anticipated Metropolitan Opera premiere. The opera, which opens on April 10, will be performed nine times through May 13. The work, with a libretto by Michael Cristofer, will be conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin {…}

News

Works & Process to Present ‘Champion’

https://operawire.com/works-process-to-present-champion/

Works & Process at the Guggenheim is set to present “Champion,” an opera by Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer on March 20, 2023. The event will feature performances by members of the cast and a moderated discussion about the work’s forthcoming company premiere at the Metropolitan Opera. Met General Manager Peter Gelb will moderate a discussion with the creative team, {…}

News

Boston Lyric Opera to Present ‘Champion’

https://operawire.com/boston-lyric-opera-to-present-champion/

Boston Lyric Opera’s is set to present a new production of “Champion: An Opera in Jazz” by Terence Blanchard and libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Cristofer. The contemporary opera will be directed by theater director Timothy Douglas and conducted by Kwamé Ryan. “The story of Champion is one of a desire to find a sense of belonging,” says Acting Stanford {…}

News, Streaming

Four Opera Companies Commission ASL Series From NYC Artist Collective

https://operawire.com/four-opera-companies-commission-asl-series-from-nyc-artist-collective/

The Boston Lyric Opera alongside Opera Omaha, Opera Columbus, and Portland Opera have commissioned a new work. In an ongoing effort to make the art form more accessible, relevant, and resonant for a diverse audience, the companies have commissioned a work from New York artist collective UP UNTIL NOW a series of short, American Sign Language-based films of opera arias. {…}

News

Metropolitan Opera to Present Premiere of Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-to-present-premiere-of-terence-blanchards-champion/

(Credit: Henry Adebonojo) The Metropolitan Opera has announced that it will stage Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer’s opera “Champion” in April 2023. The announcement comes on the heels of a very successful run of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” which opened the company’s 2021-22 season. “Champion” is based on the life of African American boxer Emile Griffith. The opera {…}

News

J’Nai Bridges, Gordon Hawkins & Deborah Voigt Lead Boston Lyric Opera’s 2021-22 Season

https://operawire.com/jnai-bridges-gordon-hawkins-deborah-voigt-lead-boston-lyric-operas-2021-22-season/

The Boston Lyric Opera has announced its 2021-22 Season marking a return to live, on-stage opera, and continuation of the company’s on-screen programming throughout the year. Productions The season will open with Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana“ starring Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges in her BLO and role debut as Santuzza. The production will also star Alfred Walker and Sarna Lapine will direct. BLO {…}

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Opera Profile: ‘Champion,’ Terrence Blanchard & Michael Cristofer’s ‘Opera in Jazz’

Lyric Opera of Chicago 2023-24 Review: Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’

Metropolitan Opera 2022-23 Review: Champion

The Metropolitan Opera to Present Premiere of ‘Champion’

Works & Process to Present ‘Champion’

Boston Lyric Opera to Present ‘Champion’

Four Opera Companies Commission ASL Series From NYC Artist Collective

Metropolitan Opera to Present Premiere of Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’

J’Nai Bridges, Gordon Hawkins & Deborah Voigt Lead Boston Lyric Opera’s 2021-22 Season