Photo Credit: Arnaldo Colombaroli/Teatro Colon. Throughout opera, one can find tales of undeserved execution, unjust torture, and brutal treatment. Yet, one can also find tales of noble bravery, stalwart moral goodness, and uncompromisable virtue. Two sides of human nature, brutality is often not far from humanity and in opera, we are able to see this in spades. These stories, however, {…}
On July 18, the Bayerische Staatsoper will open a new production of Fauré’s rarely performed work “Penelope.” Based on the famed Homer epic poem, The “Odyssey,” the work, will receive a new production by Andrea Berth and will star the rising mezzo-soprano Victoria Karkacheva. The Russian will not only make her role debut in the title role, but she will {…}
This week, teh Festival Aix-en-Provence is set to open a new production of “La Calisto.” The work, which is rarely performed, will see mezzo-soprano Giuseppina Bridelli, who is a highly regarded singer of the Baroque repertoire. The Italian mezzo will make her role debut as Diana a year after making her festival debut in Aix. Regarding the role, Bridelli said, {…}
(Credit: AJ Coots) Wexford Festival Opera has named Suzanne Nance to the position of Executive Director. Nance, who was recently stepped down from her position at All Classical Radio after 10 years with the company, will take up her new role in January 2026, taking over for Interim Executive Direcor Loughlin Deegan. “I am deeply honoured to join Wexford Festival {…}
San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Opera Orchestra, represented by American Federation of Musicians Local 6 have reached a new agreement. The two-year contract, which has a term from August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026, increases wages and enhances retirement packages during each year of the contract, as well as increasing the collaboration between the orchestra and company in {…}
I have just returned from Mexico City after the Latin American premiere of our opera, “I Am A Dreamer Who No Longer Dreams”, which follows the story of two migrants to the United States of America, one of whom is facing deportation. I am proud to have been commissioned by White Snake Projects to compose the piece, working with the {…}
Photo Credit: Lisa Chanell As Pride 2025 comes to a close, it’s helpful to remember the many voices which contributed to the liberated voicing of the LGBT+ community that we’ve heard this month. From the ripples caused by Stonewall, embodied sexual openness and its celebration in many forms, to dramatic stories of frustrated love, opera has become a preeminent venue {…}
This week, the Santa Fe Opera is set to open its 2025 season with a production of “La Boheme” featuring a cast of rising stars, including Emma Marhefka, who will make an unexpected company debut. The soprano, who was a Santa Fe Opera Apprentice in 2024, stepped in at the last minute to sing the role of Musetta, a part she {…}
(Credit: Stephan Rabold) This week, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin is set to present Bernard Foccroulle’s “Cassandra” for the first time. The work combines the figures of the ancient prophetess Cassandra and the popular researcher Sandra. The opera premiered in 2023 to rave reviews and now brings back some of the cast that created the work, including Katarina {…}
