Q & A: Michał Sławecki on His Dresden and Munich Philharmonic Debut

Polish countertenor Michał Sławecki has become known for his contemporary music interpretations and incorporates prominent Polish composers: Paweł Mykietyn, Agata Zubel, Wojciech Błażejczyk, Rafał Ryterski, Bartek Chajdecki, Maciej Zieliński, and Andrzej Zarycki amongst others. He has performed with the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Philharmonics in Szczecin, Gdańsk, and Bydgoszcz, the Silesian Opera in Bytom, the Polish National Opera, the Opera {…}

May 21, 2025

Q & A: Ștefan Pop on ‘Faust’ & How a Singer’s Repertoire Determines Their Career

(Photo: c. StefanPop.com) Romanian tenor Ștefan Pop is considered among today’s leading lyric tenors and he is best known for bel canto repertoire. He is the recipient of several awards including, in 2010, Plácido Domingo’s Operalia competition and the Seoul International Music Competition. Born in Bistrita, and having a strong musical background after studying the violin for twelve years, he {…}

May 15, 2025

Q & A: Composers Amy Beth Kirsten & Jeremy Beck on Their Unique Double for City Lyric Opera

On May 15, City Lyric Opera will premiere a unique double bill. The two chamber operas, “Black Water,” by Jeremy Beck, and “Savior” by Amy Beth Kirsten, explore female agency across time. “Black Water” is an adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ novella of the same name, while “Savior” takes on the story of Joan of Arc from a contemporary lens. {…}

May 15, 2025

Q & A: Jack Swanson on His Metropolitan Opera Debut & Rossini’s ‘Il Barbiere di Siviglia’

On May 16, Jack Swanson will make his Metropolitan Opera debut. The American tenor has become one of the most in demand for his work in the Bel Canto repertoire singing at major houses like the Staatsoper Hamburg, Houston Grand Opera, Rossini Opera Festival, Opéra National de Paris, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Arena di Verona, and {…}

May 7, 2025

Q & A: Reginald Smith Jr. on Curating a Repertoire, His Love of Teaching, & His In-Depth Knowledge of Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’

(Photo credit: Jiyang Chen) Grammy and Emmy Award-winning baritone Reginald Smith, Jr. met with OperaWire to discuss his exciting 2025-26 season. Throughout the conversation, Smith details his dedication to reaching diverse audiences and explains how his background in music education enhances his performance career. Later this month, Smith will make his long-awaited role debut as Porgy in Francesca Zambello’s production of {…}

May 4, 2025

Q & A: Soprano Anastasiya Taratorkina on Her Rapid Rise & Hopes for the Future

(Photo: Anastasiya Taratorkina) Prior to the performance of Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne’s rarity “Phèdre” at the Badische Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, Operawire met up with one of its stars, the young Russo-German soprano Anastasiya Taratorkina, who was performing the role of Oenone. Although only in her third year as a professional singer, she is already building a reputation as a fine singing actress {…}

May 1, 2025

Q & A: Contralto Alessandra Visentin on Her New CD, ‘Tre Liriche’

(Photo: S Ghini.) Naxos released a CD entitled “Tre Liriche,” featuring songs by Ottorino Respighi performed by the Italian contralto Alessandra Visentin with the New York Chamber Orchestra under the direction of maestro Salvatore Di Vittorio. The title of the CD refers to three songs, “Notte,” “Nebbia” and “Pioggia,” which have never been performed or recorded with a large orchestra, {…}

Apr 24, 2025

Q & A: Damien Geter, Jessica Murphy Moo, Adam Turner on Creation of ‘Loving v. Virginia’

In 1959, Richard Loving, a white man, and his wife Mildred Loving, a woman of color were convicted of violating the Racial Integrity Act of 1924 in Virginia. They were sentenced to prison by Judge Leon M. Bazile, but the sentence was suspended on the condition that they leave their home state and never return. The Lovings appealed their case {…}