On June 22, 2024, the Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus presented its Pride Month concert, “Uprising.” The beautifully curated programming by Artistic Director Simone Bernhard featured a balanced mix of songs focusing on themes of protest, adversity, hope, and affirmation. Not only did Bernhard fashion an inspiring set of music, she led the chorus with a spirit of compassion and energy. {…}
American Opera Projects announces “House of Legendary” a new chamber opera to take place at PrideFest 2024. Composer Joe Rubinstein and librettist by Jason Kim’s “House of Legendary” centers on drag performer Dee Legendary as they embark on a passionate love affair with Officer John, whose fascination with Dee takes an unexpected and dangerous turn. Inspired by a true story, {…}
Classical Pride has announced its five-day festival for Pride 2024. Tenor Nicky Spence and “RuPaul’s Drag Race’s” Monet X Change and Thorgy Thor, among other queens, kick off the celebration with “Classical Drag.” This crossover event features drag performances of arias from “Carmen,” “Turandot,” “Tosca,” and more. Following this, the Fourth Choir, conducted by Nicholas Chalmers presents works by Benjamin {…}
(Photo credit: Benjamin Rose Photography) The North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) Opera Project presents a queer telling of Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice.” Artistic Director and Stage Director Brenda Huggins’ “Orfeo ed Euridice,” set in the 90’s gay club scene, depicts the mythical characters as they navigate a place where self-expression and sexuality are free from oppressive ideologies {…}
(Photo credit: Seattle Opera) In celebration of Pride Month, Seattle Opera will host a special crossover recital featuring local drag queen and opera performer Anita Spritzer (AKA John Marzano). Spritzer a rising star in both drag and opera, will bring her big wigs, operatic personality, and luscious tenor voice to a musical program featuring pieces from across the opera and musical {…}
ChamberQUEER has announced its “Constellation Festival,” a celebration of queer community, diversity, and excellence in chamber music for 2024 Pride month. “Constellation” is the organization’s sixth annual Pride month festival. The Fringe Festival-style format will provide a diversity of affordable cultural programming that platforms queer artists during Pride month, including family-friendly, sensory-friendly, and free events. Only vocal events are featured for {…}
It’s Pride Month, so to celebrate we return to the series we began two years. This time we celebrate some of the great composers and librettists of today who have made a great impact in the opera world and whose works have given a voice to the voiceless. Jake Heggie Heggie is one of the most prolific composers of the {…}
While most opera companies were either starting their season ticket sales, announcing new seasons or simply performing, two New York City companies celebrated gay pride. Celebrating the 48th annual New York City Pride, the New York City Opera and OperaRox productions joined 460 other groups to march on the momentous occasion. It was expected to be the largest Pride parade ever with {…}
American Opera Projects is celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month making the 2014 World Premiere production of the opera “As One” available to the public. The opera will be available from June 23-30, 2017 on the AOP website. The opera was written by Laura Kaminsky with an original libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed and has become one of the most-produced contemporary {…}
It’s hard not to applaud the New York City Opera for its return to form. A few years ago the company went into bankruptcy and had to close. It was devastating for opera lovers who wanted an alternative to the Metropolitan Opera and the rather barren New York opera landscape in general. But times have changed and thankfully the company {…}
This week we continue our celebration of pride month. We’ve now looked at some of the most popular LGBT operas and commemorated Harvey Milk and Stonewall. Now OperaWire looks at some of the legendary composers in opera and classical music who were part of the LGBT community. Some of these composers were unfortunately never able to be open about their {…}