Ars Minerva is set to present the North American premiere “Messalina.” The work, which was created by composer Carlo Pallavicino and librettist Francesco Maria Piccioli, will be presented at the ODC Theater in San Francisco between Nov. 19 through 21, 2021. The opera, which tells the story of the wife of Emperor Claudius who was young enough to be his {…}
The Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary this fall. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be mainly on vocal and operatic performances. The ensemble will present “Die Zauberflöte” and “Die Schauspiedirekotrin,” conducted by Kenneth Montgomery. The showcase will present a unique take on the two Mozart works, with Roberta Alexander taking {…}
North Carolina Opera has announced that it has received $250,000 commitment from NCO Board member and former Board President C. Thomas Kunz. The aim of the gift is to allow the company to present opera in the Triangle and explore its audience development initiatives. “We are extremely touched by and grateful for the generous, heartfelt and meaningful support from Tom {…}
Musica Viva NY has announced its 2021-22 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on vocal performances. First up will be “Songs of Struggle, Compassion, and Redemption” which will include music by Bach, Thompson, and Betinis. Among the pieces showcased will be Thompson’s “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” and the Cantata BWV 4 “Christ lag {…}
AUTUMN ARRIVES Lolita Valderrama Savage Oil-on-canvas, 40×40 inches *From a private collection. Courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Aureo Sales, New York USA. Teatro Grattacielo and Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy have announced a unique collaboration with artist Lolita Valderrama Savage on “Tableaux of Amico Fritz.” Savage’s first international group exhibit took place at the Palazzo Strozzi in 1975 and she has {…}
Starting on August 1, 2021, Music of Remembrance will stream a new performance of “Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope,” by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. This new song-cycle is inspired by the Violins of Hope, a collection of restored string instruments which belonged to Jews living through the Holocaust. The songs explore the voyages of these {…}
Northern Ireland Opera is set to celebrate the return of live performances with a new staging of “La bohème” in September. The production will be the first to be done by Cameron Menzies since he joined as NIO’s new Artistic Director in February. Menzies is known for his work spanning opera, musical theatre, cabaret, and filmmaking, and has been seen {…}
TENET Vocal Artists has announced its 2021-22 season which will mark a return to in-person concerts. The new series is entitled “Keeping Time” and features several concerts zeroing in on a major baroque composers. All concerts will be presented in person, but will also be made available online for three days followed each performance. First up will be a performance {…}
Carson Gilmore has unveiled a series of short-film aria adaptations. The series includes the recently released “MON COEUR,” a 1931 setting of the famed “Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix” from “Samson et Dalila” which stars mezzo-soprano Roksana Zeinapur, Kelly Curran, and David Conley. Gilmore’s aim with the series is to present the arias as “thematic blueprints” for a film. {…}
Chicago’s Ear Taxi Festival has announced its slate of artists and performances appearing at the 2021 festival, which runs from Sept. 15 – October 4, 2021. This year’s theme, “Hear Chicago,” once more celebrates the diversity and richness of styles that make Chicago a city for music lovers of all kinds. For this article, OperaWire has focused specifically on vocal {…}
On July 30, 2021, award-winning composer-librettist duo Lisa DeSpain and Rachel J. Peters will premiere their newest opera, “Staggerwing,” at the Kansas Aviation Museum. This new work follows the historic aviatrixes Louis Thaden and Blanche Noyes as they compete in the transcontinental 1936 Bendix Trophy Race. The music will draw from the Wichita region’s Midwestern heritage, with influence from blues, {…}