Q & A: Sophia Baete on Performing ‘Carmen’ & Participating in The Denyce Graves Foundation

The Denyce Graves Foundation began as a way to bridge the past to future by honoring overlooked musical voices and empowering the next generation of world-class artists. Founded by opera star Denyce Graves, the foundation celebrates trailblazing musicians, music educators, and composers of color through community engagement programs, concerts and presentations, creation of new works of art, establishment of young {…}

Sep 28, 2026

Q & A: Teddy Balfour-Austin on the General Voices Program at the Denyce Graves Foundation

The Denyce Graves Foundation began as a way to bridge the past to future by honoring overlooked musical voices and empowering the next generation of world-class artists. Founded by opera star Denyce Graves, the foundation celebrates trailblazing musicians, music educators, and composers of color through community engagement programs, concerts and presentations, creation of new works of art, establishment of young {…}

Sep 24, 2026

Q & A: Marija Jelić on her Debut with the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra, AI in Opera & Future Projects

Serbian Marija Jelić Sid a rising star in opera, having performed at the Belgrade National Theatre, and Serbian National Theater as well as at the Ljubljana Festival, National Opera and Ballet in North Macedonia, Jerusalem Opera Festival, Sigulda Opera Festival, and Riga National Opera Orchestra. In addition to her career on stage, she is the president of the International Opera {…}

Sep 24, 2026

Q & A: Rosa Feola on the Metropolitan Opera, ‘La Bohème’ & Future Projects

(Credit: ©Todd Rosenberg) Rosa Feola is one of the most acclaimed sopranos of her generation and sought-after for her distinct lyric soprano and her impeccable acting. She has sung at many of the most important houses in the world and since 2019 has been at the Metropolitan Opera performing productions of “Le Nozze di Figaro,” “Fedora,” “Rigoletto” and “La Traviata.” {…}

Sep 19, 2026

Q & A: Composer Paola Prestini on ‘Sensorium Ex’ & VisionIntoArt’s ‘Make Make Innovation Festival’

Imagine being trapped inside your own head for 22 years, listening to mental loops playing on repeat all day, without the ability to use your own voice. In composer Paola Prestini and librettist Brenda Shaughnessy’s opera “Sensorium Ex,” Jakob Jordan plays Kitsune, the central character who, with the help of custom-designed AI tools developed with NYU’s Ability Lab, is able to {…}

Sep 17, 2026

Q & A: Sharon Carty on her Position as Artistic Director of the Sligo Baroque Festival & her Role as Mary in Irish National Opera’s Production of “Testament”

(Photo: Frank McGrath/Irish Independent) Mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty is a name familiar to anyone with an interest in classical music in Ireland. Known mainly for her many performances in operas and concerts across the country, she also active in other areas associated with the classical musical scene, not least in her role as the recently appointed artistic director of Sligo Baroque {…}

Sep 9, 2026

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. {…}

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