Q & A: Gregory Keller on Staging ‘La Bohème’ & Working with the Jacksonville Symphony

On April 29 and May 1, the Jacksonville Symphony will present a semi-staged production of “La Bohème” with world class singers. The semi-staged production will be directed by Gregory Keller, who has helmed acclaimed opera and theater productions across the United States; he recently completed his 26th season as a Guest Stage Director at the Metropolitan Opera. Keller recently spoke with OperaWire about “La Bohème” {…}

Two Lands & an Unquenchable Curiosity – Composer Huang Ruo and his Music

Chinese-born composer Huang Ruo, gifted with the ability to transcend the conventional lines between East and West through aesthetics and cultural symbolism, uses his music to inspire and question assumptions about Western culture, exoticism, and the notion of musical and cultural otherness. Instead of conveying two cultures through music, his compositions are informed by life experiences from two distinct worlds {…}

Q & A: Conductor Daniela Candillari Discusses Her Met Debut Conducting ‘Eurydice’ and Her Approach to Score Study

(Photo credit: Damjan Svarc) Conductor Daniela Candillari makes her Met Opera podium debut on Wednesday, December 8th, pacing Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl’s ‘Eurydice.’ OperaWire connects with Candillari to discuss her creative process leading up to ‘Eurydice’ and how she constructs her perspective.  OperaWire: What moments in Aucoin’s work do you enjoy most and how do they resonate with you? Daniela {…}

Q & A: Conductor Steven Fox on the Clarion Choir, ‘Judas Maccabeus’ & Live Performances

On Dec. 1, the Clarion Choir and Clarion Orchestra will join forces for a free concert with Isabel Leonard and Anthony Roth Costanzo to perform a suite from “Judas Maccabeus” at historic Temple Emanu-El in celebration of Hanukkah. The program will also include arias, duets, and choruses from Händel’s “Esther,” “Israel in Egypt,” and “Rodelinda.” OperaWire had a chance to {…}