Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Sarah Richmond on Her Forthcoming Role as Olga for Northern Ireland Opera

(Photo: Ross Kavanagh) This September, Northern Ireland Opera premieres its new production of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin”, with its quality cast members directed by Cameron Menzies, and conducted by Dominic Limburg. This production looks certain to be another hit with local audiences, following its sell-out productions of “La Traviata” and “Tosca.” OperaWire met up with one of its stars, mezzo-soprano Sarah {…}

Aug 13, 2024

Artist of the Week: Kathryn Lewek

This week the Salzburg Festival opens a new production of “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” with an all-star cast that includes some of the best performers of the work. Among them is Kathryn Lewek, who will be taking on the challenge of portraying all four heroines, something that has always been seen as rare and complex. In preparation for the roles, Lewek {…}

Aug 12, 2024

Q & A: Angel Blue on Verona Incident, BBC Proms & Living in the Present

(Credit: Dario Acosta) American soprano Angel Blue is widely considered to be one of the most influential sopranos before the public today. The two-time Grammy Award winner, 2020 Beverly Sills Award recipient, and the 2022 Richard Tucker Award winner is celebrated worldwide for her honeyed soprano and affecting deliveries of many of the most beloved roles in the operatic repertory, {…}

Jul 21, 2024

Q & A: Rachel Fitzgerald on Stepping into Santa Fe Opera’s ‘Don Giovanni’

For many young opera singers, the dream of performing at a major theater in a lead role is one that they work many years to achieve. For some it comes through moving through young artists programs, and ensemble programs while for others it works through competitions. And for some, the breakthrough comes with an unexpected call. Think Angela Meade, who {…}

Jul 19, 2024

Q & A: Soprano Karen Slack on the Challenges & Excitement of Creating ‘African Queens’

(Credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Few sopranos have managed to build as diverse a career as Karen Slack has over the past few years. Throughout the pandemic, Slack made numerous premiere digital performances with such companies as the Houston Grand Opera, Madison Opera, and Minnesota Opera. She launched her digital talk show “#kikikonversations.” She’s been a massive advocate for new works, {…}

Jul 16, 2024

Q & A: Santiago Ballerini on Bel Canto, French Opera & Celebrating 15 Years Singing

(Credit: Lucas Sanchez) Argentinian/Italian tenor Santiago Ballerini is one of the leading tenors in the Bel Canto repertoire. He has performed at many of the major opera houses throughout North and South America from Opera Nacional de Chile, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Canadian Opera Company, Bellas Artes in Mexico City, and Dallas Opera. He has also performed in Europe {…}

Jun 29, 2024

Q & A: Tenor Russell Thomas on His Career’s Journey in Opera, Advocacy for Opera Singers & Life That Happens in Between

(Credit: Fay Fox) Content Warning: Please note the following includes some explicit language. American tenor Russell Thomas is now one of the most sought-after tenors of his generation having established his reputation in key lyric roles such as Don Carlo, Manrico in “Il trovatore,” Don Alvaro in “La forza del destino,” and Pollione “Norma.” As an alumnus of the Metropolitan {…}

Jun 25, 2024

Q & A: Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha on Verdi, Great Conductors & How Her Mother Inspired Her Artistic Journey

After years at the University of Cape Town followed by a stint as a Young Artist with the Cape Town Opera and a 2019 audience award at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha shone in the spotlight of the 2021 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, becoming the first African to win the coveted {…}

Jun 23, 2024

Q & A: Erika Grimaldi on Puccini, Verdi & Her Growing International Career

(Credit: Victor Santiago) Erika Grimaldi is quickly rising to the top as one of the most acclaimed Verdi and Puccini sopranos in the world. Her voice has been praised for its rich and round voice and has been heard at such theaters as the Teatro alla Scala, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Deutsche Oper in Berlin, Teatro {…}

Jun 14, 2024

Q & A: Mark Padmore on Music at Paxton & Experience in Recitals

(Credit: Marco Borggreve) Mark Padmore has established himself as an important recital and concert singer who has performed around the world in many of the greatest theaters in a diverse repertoire. He has been an Artist in Residence with the Bayerische Rundfunk Orchester, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and Wigmore Hall and has served as an artistic director for the St. Endellion Summer Music {…}

Jun 2, 2024

Q & A: Soprano Gabriela Scherer on Singing Mozart, Strauss & Wagner & The Challenges of Her Career

Swiss soprano Gabriela Scherer is in high demand for her lyric German roles with her Arabella and her Senta in “Der fliegende Holländer” among her most popular warhorses. But she isn’t letting anyone put her in a box. The soprano is leading her career on her own terms and performing roles that speak to her. This season she made her {…}

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