Q &A: Soprano Laura Strickling on her New Album, ‘LEGENDS: Rebellion’

(Credit: Arielle Donson) A brilliant new CD with soprano Laura Strickling, pianist Joy Schreier, and cellist Carrie Bean Stute, makes a touching and important poetic and musical statement about the condition of women in the contemporary world, with moving poetry, original compositions, and stellar performances. “LEGENDS: Rebellion” explores what it means to rebel politically, emotionally, erotically, maternally, and spiritually. These {…}

Aug 22, 2026

Q & A: Maria José Siri on Singing 200 Performances of ‘Aida’

When Maria José Siri sings her performance of “Aida” on Sept. 10, the soprano will have completed 200 performances of the famed Verdi opera. Since 2003, the role has been in Siri’s repertoire. She first sang it in Argentina and would go on to perform it at such major theaters as the Teatro alla Scala, Teatro Massimo, Arena di Verona, {…}

Aug 21, 2026

Q & A: Soprano Stephanie Hershaw on Singing for ‘Amadeus’ & Preparing for Vache Baroque’s Semi-Opera of ‘The Tempest’

(Photo: Viktoria Orel) Experimental operatic powerhouse Vache Baroque has cast Stephanie Hershaw in the role of the spirit Ariel in a new production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” — a “semi-opera” in partnership with multi award-winning theater group Out of Chaos and soundscape artist Dan Samsa. Paul O’Mahony (artistic director of Out of Chaos) and Vache Baroque’s co-founding music director Jonathan {…}

Aug 10, 2026

Q & A: Sebastiano Rolli on ‘Nabucco,’ the Arena di Verona & the Italian Repertoire

Italian conductor Sebastiano Rolli is known for his Italian and bel canto repertoire, having conducted all over the world at such theaters as Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and Teatro La Fenice, among others. Over the years he has conducted such operas as “L’elisir d’amore,” “Giovanna d’Arco,” “La Cenerentola,” “Torquato Tasso,” “Maria de Rudenz,” {…}

Aug 7, 2026

Q & A: Rachael Wilson on the Role of Fatima in Weber’s ‘Oberon’

Admired for her dramatic intensity and vocal versatility, mezzo-soprano Rachael Wilson is rapidly earning distinction across a wide and varied repertoire. A graduate of The Juilliard School, she was a member of the Opera Studio at Bayerische Staatsoper, later joining their Ensemble between 2015 and 2019. Since 2019, she has been a member of the Ensemble at Staatsoper Stuttgart. {…}

Aug 5, 2026

Growth Through Art Song – Steans Institute Singers Reflect on Time at Ravinia’s Young Artist Program

Since 1988, the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Institute has been a major proponent of lifting up the next generation. Since its inauguration the institute has provided coaching, master classes, and performing opportunities for over 1,700 musicians. This year, the program will host 15 classical vocalists, who will get the spotlight for two weeks with a series of masterclasses with such notable {…}

Aug 2, 2026

Q & A: Andrea Sanguineti on Verdi, Mozart & Korngold’s ‘Das Wunder der Heliane’

Andrea Sanguineti is a rising star conductor currently working all over the world and performing a diverse array of repertoire. He was appointed Music Director of the Aalto-Musiktheater and the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra and has also conducted at the Opéra National du Rhin, Opera Zurich, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Landestheater Innsbruck, Teatro Sao Carlos Lisboa, Opéra de Rouen, and Kissinger {…}

Jul 27, 2026

Q & A: Soprano Amy Ní Fhearraigh On Her Rising Profile & Her Role As Cora In The World Premiere Of The Curing Line At The Kilkenny Arts Festival

(Photo: Roberto Santos-Luy) Having just watched the splendid Irish soprano Amy Ní Fhearraigh, one of Ireland’s rising stars, in her role debut as Donna Anna in Blackwater Valley Opera Festival’s production of “Don Giovanni” as well as being scheduled to review her next role as Cora in the world premiere of Michael Gallen’s award-winning new opera “The Curing Line” at {…}

Jul 26, 2026

Q & A: Mattia Olivieri on ‘Eugene Onegin,’ Santa Fe Opera & Returning to the Metropolitan Opera

Italian baritone Mattia Olivieri has become one of the most in-demand singers of his generation performing at major opera houses including the Teatro alla Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Semperoper Dresden, Teatro Massimo in Palermo and Opéra de Paris. He has become renowned for his Italian repertoire in particular the Bel Canto works and has slowly moved into heavier {…}

Jul 21, 2026

Q & A: Brenden Gunnell on the Role of Tristan & New CD Release of ‘The Marshes of Glynn and Song of the Prairies’ by Andrew Downes

(Photo: Michael Cockerham) Brenden Gunnell is standing at the threshold of one of opera’s greatest challenges: Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde.” After building his career through the major heldentenor repertoire, he now sees Tristan not simply as the next role, but as the culmination of years of careful preparation. At the same time, he is championing lesser-known music with the release {…}

Jul 16, 2026

Q & A: Riccardo Frizza on ‘I Puritani,’ his Royal Opera House Debut, Bellini & ‘Aida’

Riccardo Frizza, the Musical Director and Artistic Director of the Bergamo Donizetti Opera Festival and Honorary Conductor of the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir, is widely regarded as one of today’s leading conductors, regularly collaborating with the world’s most prestigious opera houses. He has conducted at many of the major theaters in the world Teatro Comunale, Bologna, ABAO Bilbao {…}

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