Courtesy of Opera Idaho Opera Idaho gave new meaning to the phrase “from stage to screen” when sharing a children’s show with Idaho schools during the pandemic. During April and May, they offered “Who Wants To Be An Opera Star?” as a free 30-minute online video for children in K-6. It was adapted from the original 40-minute stage version created {…}
(Credit: Nicolas Repetto) On June 1, “The Sound of Identity” will be released on digital platforms and demand. The documentary follows the baritone, Lucia Lucas, on her historical performances of “Don Giovanni” at the Tulsa Opera. Having premiered at the OutShine Film Festival, the movie went on to win the Programmers Award For Excellence and scored rave reviews from critics {…}
(Credit: Hawai’i Opera Theatre) The new opera, “Hometown to the World” by composer Laura Kaminsky and librettist Kimberly Reed had its digital world premiere on May 21, 2021, at 1 p.m. HST with Hawai’i Opera Theatre. “Hometown to the World” is commissioned by the Santa Fe Opera and co-commissioned by the Hawai’i Opera Theatre. This work centers on the ICE {…}
The year 1637 saw one of operatic history’s defining moments: Venice’s San Cassiano theatre, the world’s first public opera house, opened its doors to the paying public for the first time for a performance of “L’Andromeda” by Francesco Manelli to a text by Benedetto Ferrari. Anyone who could afford the price of a ticket could attend. Opera had escaped the {…}
(Credit: Greg Helgeson) On the other side of the concert stage or recording booth from the singer, another artist is working their magic. This is the music recording artist. They consult about repertoire, prepare for the recording sessions, produce them and later supervise all post-production activities. One of the best in this field is David Frost, who has produced numerous {…}
A few months back, I spoke with members of the MET Orchestra Musicians about their concert series and the state of affairs within the organization. But what of the 80-member world-renowned Met Chorus that delivers show-stopping performances and put the grand in grand opera? Members of this elite group of musicians are dedicated professionals who sing in 15-20 productions per season, {…}
Baritone Keith Phares, renowned as a master of a wide repertoire ranging from Mozart through to today’s most prominent composers, has been recognised as “an authentic contemporary-American-opera divo” in the media. Recently, in this year’s Grammy Awards, he shined as nominee for Best Opera Recording for his soloist role in Carlisle Floyd’s “Prince of Players.” This was a recording of {…}
(Credit: Chris Singer) In Gramophone’s Opera recording of the year, Handel’s “Agrippina” with Erato Records, there are many shinning vocal performances, including those by Joyce DiDonato, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Franco Fagioli, and Luca Pisaroni, to name but a few. Luca Pisaroni wows the listener in the role of the bumbling Emperor Claudio. Pisaroni is perhaps best-known these days for his work {…}
On March 25, María José Siri made history at the Ópera de las Palmas in Spain by becoming the first woman to give an encore at the opera house. The soprano was not only taking on her first performances in the role of “Adriana Lecouvreur” but was also making her house debut at the prestigious Spanish theater. The production was {…}