Embracing Tradition & Moving Beyond It – Tenor Russell Thomas On ‘Don Carlo,’ ‘Otello,’ & How To Learn From Artists & Audiences Of The Present & Past

This Saturday, March 3, 2018, the Washington National Opera will be staging a four-act version of “Don Carlo” with a superstar cast. While many might turn to the likes of Leah Crocetto, Jamie Barton, or Eric Owens, for the star power, tenor Russell Thomas is poised to have a big night in his Washington National Opera debut. Thomas recently spoke {…}

Feb 24, 2018

Daughter of the Theater – Soprano Andriana Chuchman on Returning to ‘La Fille Du Régiment’ With The Atlanta Opera & Her Dream Roles

It was 2009 and Andriana Chuchman was a Young Artist at the Ryan Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Then she landed a massive experience to do something she had never done – take on the title role in a major opera in a professional setting. The Edmonton Opera was looking for someone to take on the role of {…}

Feb 23, 2018

Finding His Own Voice – How Lucas Meachem Went From Mimicking His Favorite Artists To Becoming An Opera Star

Who doesn’t love kicking back as a child and copying your favorites singers while imagining that you are that artist and taking the world by storm? That the spotlights are on you and that you have transitioned from a dreaming child to a worldwide star. That’s Lucas Meachem right now. The baritone, who is currently singing the role of Marcello {…}

Feb 14, 2018

Q & A: Shura Baryshnikov on Working With Odyssey Opera as Jeanne d’Arc

Shura Baryshnikov grew up in an unusual situation. As the daughter of Jessica Lange and Mikhail Baryshnikov, she knew that taking a career path in the arts would undeniably lead to comparisons. In a recent talk with OperaWire, she spoke about this major challenge in her life. “I definitely had to overcome the fear of being compared to my parents and {…}

Feb 13, 2018

Making a Big Return – Elizabeth DeShong on ‘Semiramide,’ Riccardo Muti & Future Repertoire

At the start of Rossini’s “Semiramide,” Arsace returns to Babylon after a long time away. For years, Elizabeth DeShong has been a fixture at the Metropolitan Opera singing in such operas as “La Rondine,” “Aida,” “The Enchanted Island,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Madama Butterfly,” and “Lulu.” Then after the 2015-16 season, she did not return until now to take on {…}

Feb 13, 2018

Q & A: Countertenor John Holiday on Bernstein, Breakthroughs, & A Blessed Career

In 2017, countertenor John Holiday took home the distinguished Marian Anderson Vocal Award, which not only recognizes him as an artist with a bright future lying ahead but also allows him to share that zeal in a spirited recital on Thursday, February 15 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Operawire had the chance to speak with John Holiday to {…}

Feb 12, 2018

Q & A: Lawrence Brownlee on Bel Canto Opera & The Debut of “Cycles of My Being”

Lawrence Brownlee is one of the great bel canto tenors of this generation, singing the works of Donizetti, Rossini, and Bellini, among others, to tremendous critical success around the globe. He is currently in the midst of a run in one of his signature roles as Arturo in Bellini’s “I Puritani” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and prepping for {…}

Feb 11, 2018

Q & A: Bass Andrea Mastroni On Handel, His Modernity & Complexity of Interpretation

Andrea Mastroni is not just a bass. The Italian artist actually spent a great portion of his studies as an aesthetic philosopher, working to deepen his understanding of musical texts. In an interview last year with OperaWire, he noted that this was essential to his ability to be a performer and interpreter. “Learning philosophy makes you think constantly about everything you {…}

Feb 11, 2018

Q & A: Soprano Layla Claire On Her First ‘Alcina’ & Expanding Into More Baroque Repertoire

Layla Claire is recognized as one of the rising stars of the opera world, having performed at some of the most acclaimed theaters in the world. A graduate of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, Claire has specialized in the works of Mozart and Handel and has also performed operas by Britten. She is also a {…}

Feb 5, 2018

Enjoying Life His Way – Bass Rene Pape on ‘Parsifal,’ Future Projects, & The Papeduck

René Pape, opera’s most iconic bass had an eventful 2017 and is kicking off the New Year in tremendous style. For those who want a recap – the bass sang in 14 productions throughout the year, mostly in Wagner operas and then ended 2017 by releasing a rubber duck in his image, the famed “Papeduck.” And now he’s back for {…}

Jan 27, 2018

Q&A: Samantha Hankey On Winning The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions & European Debut

American mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey recently won the Grand Finals at the 2017 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and won First Prize winner of the Dallas Opera Guild Competition. Now after winning such prestigious competitions, she is slowly becoming one of the most acclaimed rising stars of the opera world. A recent graduate of the Juilliard School, Hankey has already performed {…}

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