On March 26, award-winning composer Evan Mack’s new album of art song, “The Travelled Road” released worldwide on all major streaming platforms. The recording came about organically after Mack invited mezzo-soprano Megan Marino and pianist John Arida to Skidmore College in New York State to noodle around and explore some ideas. Marino and Arida had worked together, and with Mack, {…}
(Photo credit: Alisabeth Von Presley) For opera artists around the world, COVID-19 was a major blow. Not only did they lose the opportunity to work, but in most cases, they have often been the last to get the chance to make their return. While several industries around the world have opened and closed repeatedly with the differing waves of the {…}
(Credit: Silvia Lelli) The Teatro Real de Madrid is one of the few theaters in the world that is currently performing for live audiences. The company has worked with performers and audiences to ensure the safety of everyone and still be able to bring culture in a socially distanced fashion. Annalisa Stroppa is one of the performers who is currently {…}
On March 18, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying is set to open a production of Verdi’s immortal “La Traviata,” which will be performed for a live audience. For many opera singers, the possibility of returning to the stage in front of a live audience is something truly unique and special, and this is undoubtedly the case for {…}
Four characters across generations come to terms with their identities as a major coming-out story was playing out on television. That is at the core of “The Puppy Episode,” a new work set to be showcased by Chicago Opera Theater as part of its Vanguard Emerging Opera Composer Residency. The work was composed by Matthew Recio in collaboration with librettist {…}
When La Monnaie was forced to postpone its planned “Bastarda” project, which would have featured the Tudor trilogy and Donizetti’s rarely performed “Il castello di Kenilworth,” the company had to opt for an alternative. The company decided to perform two rare works by Donizetti and Rossini; “La Favorita” and “Elisabetta, regina d’Inghilterra.” However, it would only be highlights of the {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) In the fall of 2020 Eleonora Buratto made a trimuphant role debut as Elvira in Verdi’s “Ernani.” The soprano’s performance at the Verdi Festival were one of the few opportunities for Buratto (and almost any singer) to perform for a live audience. Critics raved about her “stylistic purity” and her “intensity.” There seemed to be hope at {…}
In 2016, while still studying at the Royal College of Music in London, Swiss soprano Marie Lys was offered the role of Asteria in Buxton Festival’s production of “Tamerlano.” Although it was her first professional stage performance she gave a noteworthy presentation, with critics applauding her “impressive range,” “sweet singing” and “appealing, flexible tone.” Since then her career has been {…}
Last month the Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s inaugurated the Opera Kanikapila session. The new series pairs opera singers with local musicians from different cultures to explore and combine their artistic abilities. Native Hawaiian Quinn Kelsey, one of opera’s leading baritones, inaugurated the series alongside Taimane Tauiliili Bobbie Gardner with a program of diverse operatic and Hawaiian music. Kelsey is well known {…}
I first heard the Welsh lullaby “Suo Gân” watching Steven Spielberg’s 1987 film, “Empire of the Sun.” The moving piece is perfect for cinematic use, and if you live in the United Kingdom, you can hear it as the title song for the new television series “The Pembrokeshire Murders.” (The show is also available in the United States on Britbox.) {…}
(Photo: Kaupo Kikkas) The recent performance of “Eight Songs for a Mad King” from Bayerische Staatsoper provoked so many thoughts in my head. It questioned the humanity and sanity in our world. It reflected modern times so vividly. It struck with the intensity of a live performance, so I could not take my eyes away. The evening teased the discoveries {…}