Q & A : Dingle Yandell on Digital Opera & Popular Music Videos With ‘What Power Art Thou’

(Credit: Zen Grisdale) The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) is actively creating new life in the digital realm of opera by evolving the genre’s traditional standards and exploring alternate creative interpretations to share with audience members at a broader level through a new series called “music video remake” films. The aesthetic concept underlying OAE’s recent film which features bass-baritone {…}

May 9, 2021

Q & A: Met Chorus Artist Ross Benoliel Talks Life Offstage

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, {…}

May 6, 2021

Q & A: Baritone Keith Phares on Recording ‘Prince of Players’ & the Challenges of COVID-19

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 {…}

May 1, 2021

Q & A: Luca Pisaroni on Why His ‘Personal Idea of Hell is Repeating the Same Thing’

(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 {…}

Apr 29, 2021

Q & A: Maria Jose Siri on ‘Adriana Lecouvreur,’ Performing for a Live Audience & Verismo

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 {…}

Apr 25, 2021

At Home With… Bass Brindley Sherratt in the Surrey Hills

(Photo credit: Frances Marshall) “At Home With… ” is a series collaboration between OperaWire and photographer Frances Marshall of Marshall Light Studio, combining original photography with insightful interviews. Between New York City and the stunning scenery of England’s Surrey Hills, a rumble like a temblor traveled across the Atlantic. On the Surrey side was the renowned bass, Brindley Sherratt. After the {…}

Apr 18, 2021

Q & A: Soprano Angel Blue on the Balancing Her Personal & Professional Life

Soprano Angel Blue has become an operatic sensation. She recently had a stellar turn as Bess in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-20 season opener of “Porgy and Bess”. This year the recording won a Grammy for Best Opera Recording, with Angel Blue giving the acceptance speech onscreen. A natural on camera, she has also launched and hosted an online chat show {…}

Apr 12, 2021

Q & A: Francesco Meli on COVID-19, the Arts & His New Academy of Advanced Professional Training

(Photo Credit: Victor Santiago) Francesco Meli is one of the world’s leading tenors and has performed some of the most demanding Italian repertoire at every major international opera house. During the pandemic Meli has remained visible thanks to many online concerts performed both from his home and from the concert hall. He has also been busy in the recording studio {…}

Mar 31, 2021

Q & A: Composer Evan Mack on His New Album ‘The Travelled Road’

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, {…}

Mar 17, 2021

Q&A : Mezzo-Soprano & Composer Lisa Neher on Creating the One Voice Project Micro Opera Festival

(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 {…}

Mar 16, 2021

Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Annalisa Stroppa on ‘Norma’ & Returning to Live Performances at the Teatro Real

(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 {…}

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