How do you create an image that captures the essence of a person? That is the constant question that photographer Dario Acosta always questions when he is shooting a singer in his New York studio. “Ideally I don’t want to be a part of that world. I want you to look at the photo and not think I was there. {…}
For Javier Camarena, the start of 2017 has been a blending of the past, present and future. His year started with an operatic goodbye and the month of February he will slide into comfortable repertoire that he feels will be his meat and potatoes in the immediate future. And in March, he ventures into unknown terrain that might just prove {…}
Robert Neu was not expecting to be named the new artistic director of the Skylark Opera Theatre. But sure it was hard to not see it coming. The company announced the director’s new position as part of unveiling its new season, which will feature two new productions of opera staples. “Not only does Bob bring us extensive directing and production {…}
How does one discover opera? Is it through recordings, family or through music in schools? The answer is never a simple one and at times it is merely by coincidence. For some it is about discovery and curiosity. That’s Michele Angelini’s story. Discovering Opera “It was the movie ‘Amadeus.’ Specifically June Anderson singing the Queen of the Night,” Angelini revealed {…}
Every major discipline has its proverbial “Mount Everest,” the pinnacle achievement. The moment of “arrival” in which the person can feel a sense of accomplishment that few others, or only the true greats, have accomplished. In the soprano operatic repertoire, Bellini’s “Norma” is often viewed as that proverbial peak due to its taxing and wide-ranging nature. Lili Lehmann, one of {…}
At age 14, Riccardo Frizza decided he wanted nothing to do with opera. The catalyst? Bellini’s “I Puritani.” “I was studying in the conservatory and they took us to see ‘I Puritani,’” the famed conductor told OperaWire in an exclusive interview. “I thought it was so boring. It was a mistake to take me to see that first before any {…}
What do Giuseppe Di Stefano, Mirella Freni and Fritz Wunderlich have in common? While the three opera stars never collaborated, they had a massive impact of Joel Prieto’s formative years. The tenor recently told OperaWire, in an exclusive interview, about how these three icons of opera transformed his life completely and still do in many ways. Early Turning Points It {…}
This article was a joint collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar. “I like playing the villain.” That quote, as generic as it is, has been uttered in some variation by numerous actors throughout history. There is an excitement that comes with being the bad guy or girl. Of committing acts onscreen or onstage that you could never imagine doing out {…}
Every young artist has a role model. That person that drew them to their vocation and inspired their respective journeys. Most of them don’t expect that hero or heroine to crop up on that path toward success, much less play a hand in it. But a few young singers will see that wish come true at the Opera Naples this {…}