Nonstop Action – Baritone John Chest on Singing Two Different Operas In Two Cities Simultaneously

Imagine doing a rehearsal in one city until 10 p.m. and then having to fly to another city, to do another rehearsal for another opera, just 12 hours later. Well, that is what John Chest faces right now, as the baritone takes on Benjamin Britten’s “Billy Budd” in Berlin and John Harbison’s “The Great Gatsby” at the same time. The {…}

May 24, 2017

Q&A: Neeta Helms on Classical Movements & The Prague Summer Nights Festival

Neeta Helms is the founder and owner of Classical Movements, a premiere concert tour company for the world’s great orchestras and choirs, creating meaningful cultural experiences through music in 145 countries. During her 25 years with Classical Movements, Helms has worked with some of the most prestigious orchestras and concert artists in the world. She has traveled to 80 countries {…}

May 23, 2017

Bel Canto Breakthrough – Cecilia Violetta López On Her First Rossini & Donizetti Operas

When audiences headed to see Rossini’s “Otello” this past March at LoftOpera, many were looking forward to seeing the rare bel canto opera and its famed three tenor roles. But when all was said and done, the consensus seemed to be quite surprising – soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez owned the run. Here at OperaWire, we singled out her work as {…}

May 22, 2017

Q & A: Experiencing Haydn’s ‘Creation’ At St. Ignatius Loyola in NYC

Haydn’s “Creation” is one of the great musical masterworks of all time, the ambitious oratorio relating the creation of the world as told through “Genesis.” Since its premiere in 1799, Haydn’s masterpiece has been a fixture at every major concert venue around the world, including some sacred locales around the world. This week, the oratorio will be showcased at the {…}

May 20, 2017

Q&A: Kate Lindsey Delves Into Her Debut Album ‘Thousands of Miles’

For years Kate Lindsey has been dominating the operatic scene with her endearing characterizations in some of the most famous pants roles in the repertoire, particularly the character of Nicklausse in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” This year, audiences will finally be able to see Lindsey in a very different light as she explores the world of Kurt Weill and his contemporaries {…}

May 18, 2017

Q&A: How SIGN & SING Transforms The Opera Experience for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Communities

A few weeks ago, I sat in a small theater at the National Opera Center for a preview of some of the works being offered at this year’s New York Opera Fest. While there were both traditional and unique experiences showcased that evening, I was particularly drawn to a powerful moment during which three different people came onstage to perform {…}

May 16, 2017

Not Just Vocal Fluff – Soprano Irina Lungu On The Dramatic Depth of The Bel Canto Repertoire

While the bel canto repertoire is among the most popular in the operatic canon, most people are quick to dismiss the genre’s overall quality, noting that the works themselves are simply a vehicle to show off a singer’s virtuosity. But Irina Lungu could not disagree more. The Russian soprano, who has dedicated the first five months of 2017 to immersing {…}

May 11, 2017

Three in One – Mezzo-Soprano Dolora Zajick On Balancing Three Careers And Paving A Way For The Future

How do you balance three different careers? That is the question that Dolora Zajick is asking herself as she steps into a new phase of her career. “I’m running my organization, I’m singing and I’m composing. And I’ve got to find a way to reorganize myself so I can do everything I want,” she told OperaWire during a conversation in {…}