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 {…}
(Credit: Julia Wimmerlin) Olga Kulchynska is currently starring in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Le Nozze di Figaro.” The soprano made her Met debut six years ago and has already performed over 20 times with the company in “La Bohème” and Turandot.” This season, she will get her first Met Live in HD with her interpretation of Susanna in Mozart’s {…}
(Photo: Beata Nykiel) Russian mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina is universally hailed as one of the most exciting opera singers in a generation. Called “The New Netrebko” by renowned critic David Mellor, she is the “Carmen du Jour” and is in demand by opera houses around the world. She sings with a rare, coloratura mezzo voice. A luminary of the Jette Parker {…}
On April 17 & 18, 2025, the LA Philharmonic is set to present Carlos Simon’s “Good News Mass.” The work is a transcendent musical experience merging gospel and classical traditions, spoken word, and visual art. Composer Carlos Simon has become one of the most important voices in classical music, becoming the current Composer-in-Residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for {…}
(Credit: Photo courtesy of Opera San José) On April 19, Opera San Jose is set to present “Zorro,” an opera about the famed masked vigilante set in the early 1800s in el pueblo de Los Angeles, still a colony of Spain. The opera will feature a Latin American cast and will be led by David Radamés Toro, a director who {…}
(Photo: Craig Gibson) Freddie De Tommaso is an Anglo-Italian tenor from Tunbridge Wells who received universal acclaim in 2021 when he stepped up to rescue an ailing Bryan Hymel, substituting his Cavaradossi halfway through the Royal Opera House’s performance of “Tosca.” The Times described the occasion as a “had to be there moment.” He repeated the role for his Metropolitan {…}
Pene Pati is having a breakout season, making important debuts at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera. The tenor has been hailed for his “extraordinary gift for producing a golden thread of sound” and his “round and sunshine-filled voice.” He has won numerous awards around the world including the Opus Klassik Newcomer of the Year Award, Best {…}
(Credit: Olivia Kahler) Alasdair Kent made a name for himself performing in opera houses around the world, but his upcoming role as Frederic in West Australian Opera’s “The Pirates of Penzance” marks his principal debut in his home city of Perth, Western Australia. The role is one of many exciting firsts for the singer this year, who following his performance {…}
In February, soprano Fotina Naumenko was nominated for a Grammy for her album “Bespoke Songs.” The album was dedicated to showcasing contemporary vocal chamber music, featuring four world premiere recordings of newly-written musical works for soprano voice and mixed instrumental ensembles, with lyrics by female authors. Naumenko is a singer who performs art song, oratorio, opera, choral, chamber, and new {…}