Q&A: Kristine Overman On Singing The Countess in ‘Le Nozze Di Figaro’ And Returning To Prague Summer Nights

The Prague Summer Nights Festival, presented by Classical Movements, continues this weekend in Salzburg. One of the artists performing this week includes Kristine Overman, a 21-year-old soprano who is currently studying at the University of Michigan and who is singing her second major opera role. Having performed with the Michigan Opera Theater as a young child, Overman has always been {…}

Jul 6, 2017

Q&A: Anna Kozlakiewicz On Fulfilling A Dream In Salzburg & Pamina’s Challenges

The Prague Summer Nights festival, presented by Classical Movements, continues this week in Salzburg where young artists will have the chance to perform at the legendary Mozarteum. Among the young artists is Anna Kozlakiewicz, a lyric soprano who studied voice at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and Art History at the UKSW Warszawa. She is currently studying at Indiana University, {…}

Jul 5, 2017

Q&A: Dominic Veilleux On Papageno, Mozart And Singing In Prague

The Prague Summer Nights Festival, presented by Classical Movements, is a program with a mission to develop the next generation of opera singers and allow young artists to perform in historic venues and find a platform to begin their careers. Baritone Dominic Veilleux is new to the program this year. The baritone, who is portraying Papageno in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte,” {…}

Jul 3, 2017

Q&A: John Holland On His Work with The Prague Summer Nights And Career Development

Baritone John Holland is returning to the Prague Summer Nights Festival for the third with his participation this year. As an alumnus of the program, the baritone has performed numerous roles including Masetto in “Don Giovanni” at the Estates Theatre in Prague, Vodník in “Rusalka” in the Czech Republic, Belcore in “L’Elisir D’Amore,” Alberich in “Der Ring Des Nibelungen” with {…}

Jul 2, 2017

A Tenor’s Progress – Paul Appleby on Developing His Understanding of Stravinsky’s ‘The Rake’s Progress’ & Being Part of Opera’s Future

A few years ago, tenor Paul Appleby made headlines for a potent and powerful showcase in Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress.” Little did he know that that role debut would turn out to be a major calling card in his career. He is now heading into his third major production of the opera at the Festival Aix-en-Provence and is finding the {…}

Jul 1, 2017

More Than Vocal Fireworks – Tenor Celso Albelo on Musical Structure in ‘Rigoletto,’ The High F in ‘Puritani’ & Complex French Operas

Celso Albelo possesses a glorious instrument that allows him to sing a wide range of bel canto operas with great ease. But in speaking with the tenor, it became very clear that he doesn’t take a single thing for granted. He might be able to whip up a few phrases without thinking about it or throw off the highest of {…}

Jun 27, 2017

Crossing Vast Oceans – Musa Ngqungwana’s Journey From South Africa To Rising Operatic Stardom

From South Africa to America. Between those two countries is a vast ocean and traversing from the former to the latter presents a number of major challenges, not only physical, but emotional and economic. Opera is rife with characters battling the ocean on their way to success or tragedy. Just to name a few are the characters in Jake Heggie’s {…}

Jun 24, 2017

Voice Tasting – How Matt Burns & Magnvm Opvs Tasting Concerts Bring Singing & Wine Together

Creamy. Sweet. Intense. Warm. Thick. Bubbly. Dark. Light. Potent. Vibrant. Any one of those words could be used to describe an operatic voice. But as Matt Burns, founder of Magnum Opus Tasting Concerts (spelled officially Magnvm Opvs” to emphasize “voice” and “vine”), could tell you, they can also be used to represent wine. With his project, founded rather recently, the {…}

Jun 22, 2017

Discovering Cultures – Olga Peretyatko Sings Her First French Role, Explores Russia & Returns To Bel Canto

Opera requires a singer to perform in numerous languages. This can be daunting for anyone who does not speak any given tongue or does not have a connection to the corresponding culture. While some singers overcome this challenge by learning as much as is needed for a given piece, others feel that total immersion is the key to success. Case {…}

Jun 17, 2017

Q&A: Maria Agresta Talks Verdi, The Royal Opera House’s ‘Otello’ & Her Upcoming ‘Il Trovatore’ At The Met

Maria Agresta has quickly risen to fame in the opera world. She has made debuts in all the great theaters including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, and Royal Opera House. She has also become the go-to soprano for the Verdi repertoire singing roles in “I Due Foscari,” “Il Trovatore,” “I Masnadieri,” “La Traviata” and “Simon Boccanegra.” This month she {…}

Jun 15, 2017

Conquering Verdi – Liudmyla Monastyrska on Dominating Verdi’s Most Challenging Roles for Dramatic Soprano

Liudmyla Monastyrska is one of the most in-demand Verdi sopranos of her time. Just look at her repertoire and engagements and you will see that the Ukrainian soprano has run the gamut of the great composer’s repertoire. From the earliest works to “Aida,” Verdi’s final dramatic soprano role, Monastyrska has deep knowledge of Verdi’s artistic development. Among the roles that {…}

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