Long before the curtain rises on “The Song of Sakuntala,” a new opera set to premiere at INSERIES, the sitar has already been telling stories. For thousands of years, its shimmering, many-stringed voice has carried the weight of Indian classical music: its ragas, its spiritual longing, its intricate rhythmic cycles. Now that ancient voice will be at the center of {…}
Winner of the first prize “Carlo Bergonzi” and the special prize “Renata Tebaldi” for the best female voice at the 58th Voci Verdiane International Singing Competition in Busseto in 2022, Italian soprano Sara Cortolezzis’ star is on the rise. Since taking that top prize, her career has expanded rapidly, with high-profile role debuts as Leonora in “Il Trovatore” at the {…}
(Photo: Theo Williams) In July, Paxton House will host the 2026 edition of its festival dedicated to chamber music in all its forms, including solo recitals and small ensembles of instrumental and vocal music from the classical repertoire spanning across the centuries. Yet it is far more than a specialist classical music festival; there are also many cross-over events, including {…}
(Photos: courtesy of the artists) Chamber opera is growing in appeal. Not only with composers, such as Missy Mizzoli and Nico Muhly, but also with producers such as Pocket Opera and West Edge Opera looking for small and untraditional venues in which to present their work. Minimalist opera in small halls invariably attracts new, young, inquiring audiences and companies such {…}
(Photo credit: GSA) Will Liverman is one of the great baritones of his time performing at the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, Atlanta Opera, Minnesota Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Santa Fe Opera. In the midst of his run as Figaro in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” at Houston Grand Opera, Will Liverman took time to talk with OperaWire about “Factotum: The {…}
Alessandra di Giorgio is a critically acclaimed soprano spinto whose rich vocal timbre and dramatic intensity have already earned her a place on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Her repertoire spans some of the most demanding soprano roles in the operatic canon, including Amelia (“Un Ballo in Maschera”), Giulietta (“Les Contes d’Hoffmann”), Manon (“Manon Lescaut”), Brünnhilde (“Siegfried”), Lady {…}
On April 17, 2026, the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University raised the curtain on their mainstage production of Verdi’s comedic opus, “Falstaff.” Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the school has grown from its inception as Rice’s music department through the support of community partnerships and donors, and has developed into a vibrant and effective center of musical education and {…}
Barbara Hannigan is one of the most unique artists in the opera world. Not only is she a leading soprano, but she also one of the leading conductors in the industry. Her versatile artistry has allowed her to develop, over the past three decades, major artistic partnerships with the world’s foremost musicians, composers, directors, choreographers, and ensembles. Among those collaborators {…}
(Photo Credit: Julia Wesely) On April 21, Benjamin Bernheim makes his return to New York City. The famed tenor, who last performed in the Big Apple in the September 2024 production of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann,” will take to the stage at Alice Tully Hall alongside long-time collaborator Carrie-Ann Matheson to present a recital program featuring works by Duparc, Tchaikovsky, Bizet, {…}
Richard Hamrin is currently one of Sweden’s most versatile and sought-after baritones. He has built a career that range spans the full lyric baritone repertoire and large-scale musical theatre. In 2024, he garnered acclaimed for his portrayal of Jasper in “Arv” at Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern in Stockholm and as Sigismund in “Vita Hästen” at Folkoperan. He has also portrayed King {…}
Soprano Amy Broadbent is a founding member of the vocal quartet The Polyphonists. She has performed in ensembles including The Crossing, Seraphic Fire, True Concord, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and the Choir of the Basilica. The Washington Bach Consort will be presenting Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, {…}