Q & A: Soprano Linda Ballová On Her Career Path, ‘Salome,’ & the Challenges for Slovak Singers in Europe

(Photo: Tamara Cerna SofiG) Immediately after the curtain came down on Brno National Theater’s excellent production of Richard Strauss’ “Salome,” OperaWire nipped around to the stage door for an interview appointment with Slovakian soprano Linda Ballová, who had just produced a stunning performance in the titular role. It is unlikely that many opera-goers in Western countries will have heard the {…}

Q & A: Martin Glaser on His Directing Style & His Production of ‘The Jacobin’ in Brno

Performances of Antonín Dvořák’s opera “The Jacobin” are certainly rare events, particularly outside the Czech Republic. Whether or not its neglect can be deemed deserved, however, is less certain. Its recent production by the Brno National Theatre, directed by Martin Glaser, would suggest that it has, indeed, been treated unfairly. Sure, it is full of folk melodies, dancing peasants, stock {…}

Q & A: Author & Music Critic Sophia Lambton on the 12-Year Journey of Writing ‘The Callas Imprint’

Since the age of 17, Sophia Lambton has engaged in a full-fledged career as a writer. The writer of the novel, “The Crooked Little Pieces,” she has been published as a music critic with her work appearing in such publications as Musical Opinion, The Guardian, Bachtrack, musicOMH, BroadwayWorld, BBC Music Magazine, and OperaWire. While embarking on numerous projects during that time, {…}

Q & A: James Adler & Victoria Livengood on the New Album ‘That Star in the Picture’ & Breathing New Life Into ‘Memento mori: An AIDS Requiem’

(Photo credits: Ben Livengood & Frank Gimpaya) Composer James Adler and Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood met with OperaWire to discuss the new album, “That Star in the Picture,” which features a re-recording of “Pie Jesu” from Adler’s “Memento mori: An AIDS Requiem” (2001). In recognition of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, we began by discussing “Memento Mori.” The {…}