(Photo ©: pax musica) What if music could do more than move us — what if it could rebuild lives? That’s the vision behind Pax Musica, a bold initiative launched by Hélène Daccord to support displaced musicians in France through mentorship, performance, and cultural exchange. From a random encounter with a young Syrian violinist in Lyon to sold-out concerts {…}
Ronny Michael Greenberg is a pianist, producer, and musical visionary who has performed at many of the great stages in the world, including Carnegie Hall and Vienna’s Konzerthaus. He is also the founder and CEO of Taste of Talent, a nonprofit that has redefined cultural programming through innovative, multi-sensory experiences and has produced for Opera Aloha, a Pacific concert tour {…}
(Photo: Federico Melis) Federico Fiorio is a male soprano, specializing in the baroque. I first came across him on his professional debut in 2018 when he was performing at Venice’s Teatro Malibran, in which he impressed with his “high degree of vocal control and versatility.” Since then, and almost by chance, I have had the opportunity of reviewing many of {…}
This year marks the 90th anniversary of George and Ira Gershwin’s folk opera, “Porgy and Bess” on Broadway. Many major opera houses around the country have planned productions, including the Washington National Opera, the Houston Grand Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. While there are many biographies about Gershwin that include chapters devoted to “Porgy and Bess,” the only book that {…}
(Photo credit: Faymous) From the title role in “Carmen,” one of the most coveted mezzo roles, to Dorabella in “Cosi fan tutte,” a traditional soprano role, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey sings it all. In her interview with OperaWire, Hankey discussed her nonconformist approach to repertoire and the technique behind her success. Hankey will be singing the role of Donna Elvira in {…}
Director Omer Ben Seadia has become known for her inventive, thoughtful, and socially conscious productions. The director has led production at some of the leading theaters in the world including the Israeli Opera, Portland Opera, Curtis Institute of Music, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Chautauqua Opera Company, Houston Grand Opera, Calgary Opera, Utah Opera, Cincinnati Opera, The Florentine Opera, Hawaii Opera {…}
Throughout the years, the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Youth Opera Company has created a free program that gives students the chance to learn music and drama in one of the world’s most important opera houses in the world. Made for children between the ages of nine and 13, the Company offers students from all different backgrounds the chance to pursue {…}
(Photo: Victoria Elmas) (Warning: this article contains explicit language) Danish soprano Laura Helene Hansen trained at the Royal Academy of Music, Copenhagen, and the Opera Academy of the Royal Danish Opera, where her roles included Cio-Cio-San, Contessa Almaviva, Manon Lescaut, Die Marschallin and Elisabetta. She was also a subject of the TV series The Next Diva in Denmark last year. {…}
(Photo: Mattia di Pasquale) Genoese Soprano Benedetta commenced her international career at the age of just twenty. After pursuing piano and vocal studies in her home city, she is now continuing her training and specialization with esteemed soprano Barbara Frittoli. A recipient of several awards, and described as a “rising star,” she has achieved much critical acclaim, especially for her Mozart {…}