Baroque opera’s popularity is growing every year. You’ve felt it. I’ve felt it. I think everyone in the opera world is feeling it. Everywhere you look, major companies are putting on more works by Handel or Monteverdi. And if those big names aren’t producing them, then you are starting to see smaller companies take on the responsibility of presenting some {…}
The Atlanta Opera is on the upswing and becoming one of the most exciting opera companies in America. This is best evidenced by the company’s upcoming 2018-19 season which will feature an assortment of modern and classic works. The opera’s growth and expansiveness could be directly attributed to the man in charge, Tomer Zvulun, whose reforms to the company since {…}
Over the past few years, the Berkshire Opera Festival has seen tremendous expansion at the hands of Artistic Director Brian Garman and General Director Jonathon Loy. “The festival has grown in several different ways even though we continue to produce one MainStage show,” Loy told OperaWire in a recent interview. “The growth is both internal and in the community. I {…}
Sesto Quatrini made his Italian debut, conducting Verdi’s “Un giorno di regno,” at the Festival della Valle d’Itria, July 20, 2017, a little over one year ago. Since then he has debuted at, amongst other venues, La Fenice and Verona. It has been a rapid rise for the young conductor who, at the age of 34, seems destined for the {…}
Jennifer Williams started off her own artistic career as a composer. But soon enough she found that her voice could only come to full fruition as a director. With a Ph. D. from Cornell University, as well as degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Chicago, she quickly built up a career in both {…}
Nic McGegan and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (PBO) have accomplished a plethora of amazing experiences together. McGegan, who has been the music director of the orchestra, since 1985, has made numerous recordings with the organization, particularly of early works including Handel’s “Messiah,” “Dido and Aeneas,” and the concertos of Corelli, among many others. But McGegan and his orchestra may have topped {…}
Last year, Francesca Zambello went in depth about her work at the Glimmerglass Festival and her position at Washington National Opera, roles that require tremendous dedication on the iconic director’s part. Her busy slate makes it essential that she have a strong team surrounding her to provide strong support. Enter Eric Sean Fogel. He’s worked as choreographer on a number {…}
What was it like to see Maria Callas? There are still many that can recall the experience of seeing the great diva take the stage, but there will come a time when they will no longer be around. Many are already resigned to watching old videos or listening to old recordings, but there are some that have different ideas. In {…}
For years, British composer Thea Musgrave has been a major figure in the classical world. She has been a pioneer of the “dramatic-abstract” in the contemporary musical landscape and has composed over 160 pieces, including 13 operas, 11 choral works, and 21 orchestral works. Musgrave recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a concert that included many of her renown works {…}
Next to William Shakespeare, Richard Wagner is one of the most written about figures in human history. His enigmatic qualities coupled with his unquestionable genius make him someone who fascinates as much as he bewilders and antagonizes. Volumes have been written about the composer from virtually every conceivable angle, whether it be his family, his adventures, his psychology, his philosophy, {…}
We all know that the future of art in any country resides with the younger generations. Achieving that passing of the torch is far easier said than done and few embark fully on said commitment. Lydia Kontos, Executive Director of the Kaufman Music Center, is one such person who has made it her life to champion music education and develop {…}