Q&A: Karine Babajanyan Talks About Puccini Heroines, Vocal Techinque & Her Verdi Wish-List

Karine Babajanyan is well known for her wide-ranging repertoire in the lirico-spinto fach, performing the works of Verdi and Puccini and many of the Verismo composers. She has particularly become well-known for her interpretations of “Madama Butterfly,” “Tosca,” “Aida,” Amelia in “Un Ballo in Maschera” and has travelled to many of the leading theaters including the Berlin Staatsoper, the Hamburg Staatsoper, {…}

Nov 5, 2017

Q & A: 59 Productions Director Mark Grimmer on Working At Metropolitan Opera & Nico Muhly’s ‘Marnie’

One of the more interesting developments in the opera world is the convergence of the theatrical experience with the audiovisual arts. At the Metropolitan Opera, this has been particularly noticeable in such works as “Satyagraha” and “The Enchanted Island,” where video projections are an essential part of the operatic experience, not only creating the environment, but also commenting on it. {…}

Nov 4, 2017

Q & A: Soprano Joelle Harvey on Mozart, Motherhood, and ‘The Marriage of Figaro’

From November 4th – 12, Pittsburgh Opera will be performing Mozart’s comedic opera “The Marriage of Figaro.” This production will feature not only many of Pittsburgh Opera’s veteran performers, but a number of singers making their debuts with the company, such as bass-baritone Tyler Simpson in the role of Figaro, and soprano Joelle Harvey in the role of Susanna. OperaWire {…}

Nov 3, 2017

Q & A: Bass-Baritone Wayne Tigges on ‘The Flying Dutchman’ At Atlanta Opera

Music was always a major part of bass-baritone Wayne Tigges’ youth. As the youngest of 10 kids, his father was part of a professional barbershop quartet and the majority of his family members were singers in one way or another. The young Tigges was also a lead singer in a heavy metal band called Aftershock. From there he would eventually {…}

Nov 1, 2017

Q & A: Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo on Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater,’ Handel & Philip Glass

Most countertenors make their careers out of singing traditional baroque repertoire. The voice type, so popular during the art form’s formative years, was extremely popular in its day with the major composers assigning leading roles to the countertenor. But that is no longer the case today, the countertenor is seen more as a novelty than a bonafide fixture in the {…}

Oct 31, 2017

Q&A Ellie Dehn On Her Role Debut As ‘Manon’ At The San Francisco Opera

Over the past years, Ellie Dehn has received critical acclaim for her exceptional performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House, Bayerische Staatsoper, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and Houston Grand Opera among other theaters. Dehn has also been hailed for her versatility in repertoire and as also emerged as a specialist in works by Mozart. {…}

Oct 29, 2017

Q & A: Soprano Lisette Oropesa on ROH Debut, Met Opera Return & Social Media

Soprano Lisette Oropesa is one of the most exciting artists in the world. At just 34, the New Orleans native has already had a storied career, winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions at the age of 22, rising through the ranks of the Met Lindemann Young Artist Program, and then going on to sing at all the major houses {…}

Oct 25, 2017

Q&A: Brian Mulligan On His Debut Solo Album And Collaborating In The Studio

American baritone Brian Mulligan has become sought out by the world’s leading opera houses and orchestras, singing a unique variety of repertoire from works by Argento, Meyerbeer, Puccini, Spears, Verdi and Wagner. Throughout the past few years, Mulligan has appeared at the San Francisco Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, the Metropolitan Opera, Opernhaus Zürich, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera and Oper {…}

Oct 15, 2017

Q & A: Met Opera Guild Podcast Co-Host Stuart Holt On Engaging New Audiences & Future Plans

Over the last two years the Metropolitan Opera Guild has attempted something that few, if any, other companies have given a look at – podcasts. The increasingly popular form of media has seen tremendous growth over the last few years, becoming the go-to source for information and entertainment for busy morning commuters. Unlike videos or other forms of media, podcasts {…}

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