Q & A: Soprano Linda Ballová On Her Career Path, ‘Salome,’ & the Challenges for Slovak Singers in Europe

(Photo: Tamara Cerna SofiG) Immediately after the curtain came down on Brno National Theater’s excellent production of Richard Strauss’ “Salome,” OperaWire nipped around to the stage door for an interview appointment with Slovakian soprano Linda Ballová, who had just produced a stunning performance in the titular role. It is unlikely that many opera-goers in Western countries will have heard the {…}

Dec 8, 2023

Meet the Person Behind the Voice: Soprano Linda Ballová

(Photo: Attila Nagy) Following Linda Ballová’s compelling performance in the title role of “Salome” at the Brno National Theatre, OperaWire thought it would be interesting to interview the Slovakian soprano. After which, we had a short chat to find out more about the person behind the voice. OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Linda Ballová: It was “Carmen” {…}

Dec 6, 2023

Q & A: Bass Giorgi Manoshvili on How He Moved From Folk Music to Opera

In 2022, the Georgian bass, Giorgi Manoshvili, made a big impression performing the role of Caliban in Halévy’s opera “La Tempesta” at the Wexford Festival Opera. He also thrilled the audience with a recital on the main stage. This year, he returned to the festival and, once again, was a big hit with audiences. He did this while learning his {…}

Dec 3, 2023

Meet the Person Behind The Voice: Mezzo-soprano Na’ama Goldman

(Photo: Janina Laszlo) The big hit at this year’s Wexford Festival Opera was undoubtedly Marco Tutino’s opera “La Ciociara,” which tells the story of two women’s desperate bid to survive during the turmoil of the allied invasion of Italy. The star of the performance was Israeli mezzo-soprano Na’ama Goldman in the role of Cesira. Over a coffee, OperaWire quizzed the {…}

Dec 1, 2023

Q & A: Lawrence Brownlee on Rossini, Bel Canto & His Grammy-Nominated ‘Rising’

(Credit: Zakiyah Caldwell Burroughs) On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Washington Concert Opera will present the first of its two performances this season with a showcase of Rossini’s rarely-performed “Ermione.” While the cast features Angela Meade in the title role, the other main attraction is tenor Lawrence Brownlee who has made Rossini a specialty of his, taking on dozens of roles {…}

Nov 30, 2023

Q & A: James Adler & Victoria Livengood on the New Album ‘That Star in the Picture’ & Breathing New Life Into ‘Memento mori: An AIDS Requiem’

(Photo credits: Ben Livengood & Frank Gimpaya) Composer James Adler and Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood met with OperaWire to discuss the new album, “That Star in the Picture,” which features a re-recording of “Pie Jesu” from Adler’s “Memento mori: An AIDS Requiem” (2001). In recognition of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, we began by discussing “Memento Mori.” The {…}

Nov 24, 2023

Q & A: Composer Pauchi Sasaki on Her Multi-Platform Opera ‘ARTEMIS’

Operas take years to compose as evidenced by some of the greatest works the art form has to offer. But in most cases, audiences don’t hear the opera until it’s finished. Peruvian composer Pauchi Sasaki is taking a different approach to opera creation. Over the last few years, Sasaki has been in the process of creating the multi-platform opera “ARTEMIS” {…}

Nov 5, 2023

In Less Than Five Minutes Get To Know Soprano Ava Dodd

As a follow-up to OperaWire’s recent interview with Irish soprano Ava Dodd, we thought it would be a bit of fun to ask her a few light-hearted questions that might shed a bit of light on other aspects of her career and personality. OperaWire: What was the first opera you attended? Ava Dodd: “Die Zauberflöte.” OW: What was the last {…}

Nov 5, 2023

Q & A: Soprano Francesca Aspromonte & Violinist Boris Begelman on the Creation of ‘Un’Alma Innamorata’

“We met on the job around 10 years ago, for a few projects over some years. The first time not a word, the second a few, the third ‘Hey, would you like to do a concert program together’ and the fourth… was the last and here we are! It took me many hours in the kitchen, but I got him {…}

Nov 4, 2023

Q & A: Adam Smith on Gounod’s ‘Roméo et Juliette’ & His Washington National Opera Debut

(Credit: Vimagazino/Nikos Kokkas) This week the Washington National Opera is set to present a new production of “Roméo et Juliette” with a cast of recognized singers, including rising star Adam Smith. Smith has gradually made a name for himself in the opera world with his passionate singing reminiscent of the golden age. The tenor has performed major roles in both {…}

Oct 25, 2023

Q& A: Soprano Elly Kace on Transcending Boundaries from Opera to Experimental Pop

Elly Kace was in Italy as the pandemic began ripping through the country’s population. She was there to improve her craft as a classical vocalist, taking lessons, and the beauty of her surroundings. When things became dire, she had to leave. People were dying in horrific numbers and lockdowns were closing nations’ borders. Her social media posts’ emotional honesty revealed {…}

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