Q & A: Soprano Vivica Genaux on Mentoring Hasse Artaserse at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg

(Credit: RibaltaLuce-Studio) Celebrated as one of the preeminent mezzo-sopranos of her generation, Vivica Genaux is a definitive champion of the baroque and bel canto repertoires. Renowned for her instrumental role in the modern revival of Johann Adolf Hasse, she was honored with the Hasse-Preis by the Hasse-Stiftung Hamburg in 2025. She is actively collaborating with HfMT Hamburg as a mentor {…}

Feb 6, 2026

Q & A: Christopher Tin on a New ‘Turandot’ Ending & His Relationship to Puccini’s Final Opera

(credit: Andy Wilkinson) The ending of “Turandot” recording has always been a point of contention for opera goers. The opera is traditionally performed with an ending constructed by Alfano following Puccini’s death, but over the years, composers and librettists have taken a stab at reconsidering this iconic and controversial work. That list includes the likes of Luciano Berio, Derrick Wang, {…}

Feb 4, 2026

Q & A: Soprano Brittany Renee Reflects on ‘Porgy and Bess’ and the Changing Landscape of Opera

(Photo: Daniel W) Soprano Brittany Renee is a Grammy Award-winner who has built up an impressive international career, performing at the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Teatro Regio di Torino, Semperoper Dresden, and Teatro Petruzelli, among others. The soprano is set to {…}

Feb 3, 2026

A Rescue Mission – General Director Maria Todaro on Rebuilding Florida Grand Opera

In 2014, Florida Grand Opera accumulated a $19.4 million deficit. The company was in chaos, warning that the cancelation of its 2015-16 season in Broward County could be imminent if the organization was unable to secure $400,000. The future of the organization, which was founded in 1941, was uncertain and insecure. Fortunately an anonymous donor pitched in to erase the {…}

Feb 2, 2026

Q & A: Jason Duika on Being a Verdian Baritone & His Upcoming ‘Rigoletto’ Debut

(Photo: @MontePhoteaux) Jason Duika has been steadily making a name for himself as an up-and-coming American Verdi Baritone, having sung with over ten companies in the US to critical acclaim. He has sung over 20 operatic roles professionally, including the title role of Verdi’s “Nabucco,” in October of 2019 with West Bay Opera, in California, where the reviews said, “Baritone {…}

Feb 1, 2026

Q & A: Prof. Mark Tucker & Prof. Isolde Kittel-Zerer on Reviving Hasse’s ‘Artaserse’ at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg

Prof. Mark Tucker is a distinguished interpreter of the Baroque repertoire with a prestigious career performing and recording under conductors such as Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and René Jacobs. For over 20 years, he has taught at Hochschule für Musik und Theater (HfMT) Hamburg, specializing in Italian vocal repertoire from 1600 to 1800 within the Historical Performance Practice {…}

Jan 30, 2026

Q & A: Ana María Martínez on the Oscar Nominated Song ‘Sweet Dreams of Joy’ from ‘Viva Verdi’

(Credit: Ashkan Roayaee) In early January, “Sweet Dreams of Joy,” the song in the documentary “Viva Verdi,” was shortlisted in the 15 finalists. However, no one gave it a chance as the field included such stars as Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, Billy Idol, Stephen Schwartz and Nine Inch Nails. But on Jan. 22, 2026, when the Academy announced the nominees {…}

Jan 28, 2026

Q & A: Alvise Casellati on Leading Teatro Massimo di Palermo & Opera’s Social Power

Alvise Casellati was born in Padua, Italy, to a Venetian musical family with important ties to the top classical music composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Rossini, Wagner, and Boito, among others. He is the founder and Music Director of Opera Italiana is in the Air (OIA), created in 2017 to bring opera concerts with with superstar singers {…}

Jan 27, 2026

Q & A: First Countertenor Patrick Dunachie & Baritone Chris Bruerton on The King’s Singers

(Photo: The King’s Singers press) The King’s Singers, a beloved ensemble, will be performing at NYC’s St. Bartholomew’s Church on February 4th at 7:30pm, and the Washington National Cathedral in DC on February 6th and 7th, 2026 at 7 p.m. These will also be some of the last performances with first countertenor Patrick Dunachie (after 10 years in the group) {…}

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