A Titan Among Opera Singers – Baritone Michael Hewitt Discusses Fitness, His Appearance on ‘The Titan Games,’ and Opera’s Marketing Challenges

“I am Khumn!” These were the first words ever spoken on stage by baritone Michael Hewitt. The phrase is one you might expect from the Narrator in “Akhnaten” but not in a fifth-grade educational history play about ancient Egypt. According to Hewitt, his entrance was dramatic and well-received. He recounted striding to center stage, dressed from head-to-toe in black and shrouded in dense fog. {…}

Jul 7, 2020

Q & A: Candice Hoyes on ‘Tom-Tom,’ Caramoor & Finding Her Voice

On July 9, the Caramoor Festival will present a Livestream event entitled “Listening to Tom-Tom.” The event will be an in-depth exploration of Shirley Graham Du Bois’ opera, “Tom-Tom,” the first opera written and staged by an African American woman. The work has not been produced since its initial run in 1932 and all that survives of the score is {…}

Jun 30, 2020

Q & A: Chair of the MET Orchestra Committee Brad Gemeinhardt on New Fundraising Campaign

Since the members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra were furloughed, the orchestra has launched a fundraising initiative in order to channel its energy into education and engagement through teaching and performing. The fundraising campaign was created in order for the orchestra to be able to do outreach programs and to create new events and concerts during these times of COVID-19. {…}

Jun 16, 2020

Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Arlene Belli Provides a Young Singer’s Perspective on Establishing a Career Under Lockdown

(Photo: Riccardo Scrocca) The coronavirus has had a huge impact on theaters and live performances, and opera has certainly not been immune from its consequences. With the theatres closed, singers, directors and musicians, set and costume designers and conductors, to name but a few, have all seen their work come to an abrupt halt. For the stars, this may be {…}

Jun 13, 2020

Q & A: Latonia Moore on ‘Aida,’ Racial Equality in the Opera World, ‘Dead Man Walking’ & COVID-19

The moment Latonia Moore stepped onstage during the Opening Night performance of “Porgy and Bess,” launching the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-20 season, the audience was mesmerized. The soprano stole the show with her potent rendition of “My man’s gone now.” She received arguably the most applause of the evening and critics praised her for her “intensity.” Moore made her Met debut {…}

Jun 7, 2020

Q & A: Varduhi Abrahamyan On ‘Carmen’ & Her Upcoming Metropolitan Opera Debut

“Allure” and “brightness” have been some of the words used to describe mezzo-soprano Varduhi Abrahamyan. The Franco-Armenian mezzo is one of today’s rising stars, having performed at many of the leading theaters in the world including the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Opéra de Marseille, and Opernhaus Zürich. She is recognized for her Bel Canto interpretations in {…}

May 28, 2020

Q & A: Maria Bengtsson on Quarantine & Returning to the Stage at the Oper Frankfurt

(Credit: Monika Rittershaus) On May 29, Oper Frankfurt will reopen its theater with its first concert in nearly 3 months. To celebrate the occasion, the company chose acclaimed soprano Maria Bengtsson to lead the performance in an all-Strauss program. The soprano was supposed to be performing a production of “Der Rosenkavalier” in Frankfurt. Bengtsson is a well-known soprano who has {…}

May 22, 2020

Q & A: Michael Volle & Gabriela Scherer on their Return to the Stage in Wiesbaden

On May 18, the Staatstheater Wiesbaden opened its doors after a nearly two month lockdown in Germany. The theater re-imagined its May Festival and programmed recitals and semi-staged selections of operas. For the concerts, the theater was able to engage some of the world’s greatest soloists including real-life couple, Michael Volle and Gabriela Scherer. Originally scheduled to perform in the {…}

May 21, 2020

How Internal Transformation Transcends the Voice – Soprano Hera Hyesang Park on Her Spiritual Journey, New Album Signing

(credit: Junseob Yoon) Last week, Hera Hyesang Park virtually performed at Berlin’s Meistersaal with pianist Sarah Tysman to announce the signing of an exclusive agreement with Deutsche Grammophon. The Yellow Label’s “Moment Musical” includes songs by Purcell, Handel, Hahn, Duparc, and Schubert. Park also performs Jin Choi’s “Leaning on Time,” arranged by Seulki Chungi, “Like the Wind that Met With {…}

May 12, 2020

Q & A: Keri-Lynn Wilson on ‘Inspired by,’ Repertoire & Wagner

(Credit: Erik Berg) Over the last 20 years Maestro Keri-Lynn Wilson has developed one of the most distinguished careers as a conductor. She has led some of the greatest orchestras and opera companies and has worked with some of the world’s most renowned soloists and singers. Her repertoire is vast and ever-expanding as her curiosity to explore new works can {…}

May 5, 2020

Q & A: Marie Karall on ‘Carmen,’ Theater Dortmund & Stylistic Differences

(Credit: Mat Ninat Studio) Mezzo-soprano Marie Karall has gained recognition throughout the past years for her “distinguishable dark colors” and for her “highly dramatic tone and emotional involvement.” The French mezzo has steadily raised her profile throughout the world performing at major theaters as the Chorégies d’Orange, Bordeaux National Opera, Montpellier National Opera, Avignon Opera, and the Théâtre des Champs {…}

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