141 search results for…

News

Royce Vavrek Named New Artistic Director of Against the Grain Theatre

https://operawire.com/royce-vavrek-named-new-artistic-director-of-against-the-grain-theatre/

Against the Grain Theatre has announced the appointment of Royce Vavrek as its new Artistic Director. Vavrek, the librettist behind such works as the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angel’s Bone” “JFK,” “Breaking the Waves,” “Silent Light,” “Proving Up,” and “The Old Man and the Sea,” takes over for Joel Ivany, the company’s founding Artistic Director. “As our new Artistic Director, Royce brings {…}

IndieOpera

National Sawdust to World Premiere Paola Prestini & Royce Vavrek’s ‘Silent Light’

https://operawire.com/national-sawdust-to-world-premiere-paola-prestini-royce-vavreks-silent-light/

National Sawdust is set to present the world premiere of “Silent Light” this September. The opera by Paola Prestini and Royce Vavrek is an adaptation of Carlos Reygada’s film of the same name. Per the official summary, “The opera follows a pious husband and father whose strongly held spiritual obligation to his wife, their family, and community is put to {…}

On This Day, Special Features

One of Opera’s Strangest Plots: David T. Little and Royce Vavrek’s ‘Dog Days’

https://operawire.com/one-of-operas-strangest-plots-david-little-and-royce-vavreks-dog-days/

The phrase “dog days” usually refers to the humid, heavy days of summer when the weather is abrasive and too hot to really do anything. Generally temperamental and discomforting, the term comes from the “dog star” Sirius rising over the Eastern horizon during the middle part of the year. It’s a time of great change and great lethargy.  Premiered in {…}

News

Nicole Heaston, Simon Neal, Eirik Grøvedt & Frøy Hovland Headline World Premiere of Missy Mazzoli & Royce Vavrek’s ‘The Listeners’

https://operawire.com/nicole-heaston-simon-neal-eirik-grovedt-froy-hovland-headline-world-premiere-of-missy-mazzoli-royce-vavreks-the-listeners/

The Norwegian National Opera is set to present the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “The Listeners” starting on Sept. 24, 2022. The opera, which runs through Oct. 9, will be directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, the Resident Director at Lincoln Center Theater. Ilan Volkov will conduct a cast starring Nicole Heaston, Simon Neal, Eirik Grøvedt, and Frøy Hovland. {…}

News

Pentatone to Release Missy Mazzoli & Royce Vavrek’s ‘Proving Up’

https://operawire.com/pentatone-to-release-missy-mazzoli-royce-vavreks-proving-up/

Pentatone has announced that it will be releasing the debut recording of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “Proving Up.” The release, which is set for August 21, 2020, will feature the original cast recording from Opera Omaha. Those cast members include Michael Slatter, John Moore, Talise Trevigne, Abigail Nims, Cree Carrico, and Andrew Harris. The opera was co-commissioned by the {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opera Omaha 2017-18 Review – Proving Up: Mazzoli and Vavrek Masterfully Explore Migration Hardship in the Heartland

https://operawire.com/opera-omaha-2017-18-review-proving-up-mazzoli-and-vavrek-masterfully-explore-migration-hardship-in-the-heartland/

Is there a better way to spend an opera festival in Nebraska than to see an opera set in Nebraska?  My weekend at the inaugural ONE Festival presented by Opera Omaha was highlighted by seeing the brand-new “Proving Up” by the dynamic duo of Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek on two occasions. The opera is based on the short {…}

News

Edmonton Opera’s 2025-26 Season to Feature Miriam Khalil, Marion Newman & Jaclyn Grossman

https://operawire.com/edmonton-operas-2025-26-to-feature-miriam-khalil-marion-newman-jaclyn-grossman/

The Edmonton Opera has announced its 2025-26 Season. In a statement, Edmonton Opera’s Artistic Director, Joel Ivany said, “Our 2026/26 season is really about what we inherit, what we keep, and what we redefine. From celebrating opera’s greatest moments to championing new voices and groundbreaking works, we invite audiences to be part of this living legacy that is Edmonton Opera, {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Timothy Long on Modern Opera Audiences, Shorter Works & Education

https://operawire.com/q-a-timothy-long-on-modern-opera-audiences-shorter-works-education/

Timothy Long is a recognized conductor, pianist, and composer who is the Artistic and Music Director of Opera at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester and an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. Throughout his career, he has attempted to redefine opera for modern audiences by breaking traditional stereotypes and making performances shorter, more diverse, and {…}

News, Season Announcement

Opera Columbus Reveals 2025-26 Lineup

https://operawire.com/opera-columbus-reveals-2025-26-lineup/

Opera Columbus unveiled its 2025-26 season. “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is the opener in a production directed by Brandon Shaw McKnight and musical direction by Rolando Salazar. Performance Date: Sept. 19 & 21, 2025 Then comes a production with Beth Morris Projects in the form of “The Old Man and the Sea.” The Paola Prestini and Royce Vavrek work will be directed and {…}