On Jan. 6 the New Orleans Opera is set to present “An Homage to Josephine Baker,” an evening that will include Tom Cipullo’s “Josephine” and the world premiere of the ballet “Josephine.” The performances are sold out and are part of New Orleans Opera’s mission to increase access to the art form for all New Orleanians and to produce more {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) On Dec. 31 the Metropolitan Opera will premiere a new production of “Rigoletto” featuring Met veterans and newcomers. It will also mark the first time, Quinn Kelsey, one of the Met’s stars headlines a production. Kelsey, who made his Met debut in 2008 as Schaunard in “La Bohème,” has appeared in over 70 performances {…}
Over the past few weeks we have returned to an old end-of-year tradition, spotlighting some of our standout artists of the year. And we will conclude that series with a return to our spotlight of the year’s best performances. As in the past, we have compiled the efforts of different members of our staff to create a list of our {…}
After a year and a half of limited performances and shut downs, 2021 marked the year during which performers were able to bring their artistry to the stage and to the audiences. And now 2021 is bringing down its curtain. There were so any memorable moments in the year and there were truly some historical performances. Like previous years, OperaWire {…}
Photos: Frances Marshall “At Home With… ” is a collaboration between OperaWire and photographer Frances Marshall of Marshall Light Studio, combining original photography with insightful interviews that reveal the human side of those we see on stage. Star Scottish tenor Nicky Spence and his fiancé, accompanist Dylan Perez, have a big day ahead of them. The two will marry on {…}
“Page to Opera Stage” looks at stories – real-life or fiction, old and new – that have inspired operas, and the ways these narratives have been edited and dramatized to fit a new medium. This month, we return to Goethe, this time with Jules Massenet’s poignant adaptation of his name-making novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” The following contains discussion {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox/Jaclyn Simpson/Lynn Lane) It’s been a tough 2021. After some hope settled into the opera world with the reopening of most companies around the globe, the end of the year seemed to revert to what we saw for much of 2020 – more lockdowns, more COVID, more cancelations. But despite what seems like a dark ending to the {…}
(Credit: Teatro alla Scala / Brescia – Amisano) One of the most important days on the opera world calendar is the opening of the Teatro alla Scala. Big stars. New productions. At the close of the calendar year. All at the world’s most legendary opera house. No surprise that this year is as big as any other with the company {…}
So for those wondering what this is, we are trying something a little new at OperaWire. Chris Ruel, one of our long-time writers, is in the midst of publishing his very first novel “Come to Me Darkness.” And what do you know? It’s set in the opera world and spotlights two singers, their love affair, their tortured pasts, and a {…}
