(Photo © Aline Paley) Thirty years ago, Martin Engstroem found himself in a place he had always dreamed of. During his formative years in music management, he dreamt of helping build the careers of up-and-coming artists and creating a unique experience. He is full of ideas and works alongside the biggest names in the classical music business, mainly conductors and {…}
Credit: Teatro Real Teatro Real closes the 2022-23 season with 17 performances of Puccini’s “Turandot.” It is a revival of their own Robert Wilson production, which premiered at Teatro Real in 2018, featuring three different casts. The opera will be screened live in several squares all over Spain, will be shown on RTVE (The main Spanish Tv channel), and will {…}
Opera pianist Margaret Singer has died after a long illness. Singer launched her musical career as an accompanist at 12. Accompanying numerous performances of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” during a Southwest tour, she gained invaluable experience. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, she collaborated with prestigious opera companies in New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington, {…}
Michael Fabiano has withdrawn from his performance in “Turandot” at Teatro Real de Madrid on July 14. The tenor announced his cancelation via Instagram. Fabiano explained in the post his decision was due to “being under the weather.” Jorge De León will sing the role of Calaf in place of Fabiano. Also on this performance is Anna Pirozzi as Princess {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has canceled his upcoming performances in Paris and Aix-en-Provence. The tenor took to social media and said, “For several months, I have been struggling with coughing and excessive mucus during my performances. This viscous secretion led to increased irritation when singing and to fatigue of the respiratory muscles. Various attempts to solve this issue were unfortunately unsuccessful, resulting {…}
Modena’s Teatro Comunale Pavarotti-Freni has announced its 2023-24 season. Opera The season opens with Giordano’s “Fedora” in a new production by Pier Luigi Pizzi. Aldo Sisillo conducts a cast that includes Teresa Romano, Yuliya Tkachenko, Luciano Ganci, and Simone Piazzola. Performance Dates: Oct. 13 & 15, 2023 Verdi’s “Don Carlo” will be performed in four acts in a production by {…}
The Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) has unveiled its 2023-24 season. It all kicks off with a few events prior to the official season launch. Among these is “Ocean City Pop’s ‘Opera Superstars of Tomorrow” at Ocean City Music Pier in New Jersey. The showcase stars Jenny Anne Flory and Angel Raii Gomez alongside conductor Vince Lee and the Ocean {…}
Long Beach Opera has named Marjorie Beale as its President of the Board of Directors. She started her tenure on June 28, 2023. She will take over for Dr. Robert N. Braun who held the position since 2016. Beale joined the board of directors in December 2021 and also previously served from 1997-2003. Per an official press statement, “Beale’s track {…}
The Kaufman Music Center announced its programming for the 2023-24 season. Slated are concerts, educational programs, and events as part of their signature series presented at Kaufman’s Merkin Hall. This season’s theme is “Listen Different,” which “spotlights the unique and transformative performance experiences offered by Kaufman Music Center: Audiences experience a direct connection with artists in a welcoming space and {…}
The Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in LA will present “Voices of Unity ROK – U.S. Alliance for the Future” on August 18, 2023 at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The performance will be conducted by Grant Gershon and will also feature the Busan Metropolitan Chorus under the music direction of Kisun Lee. {…}
Photo Credit: Kristen Loken Merola Opera Program presents Benjamin Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” on July 13th and 15th at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, with director Jan Essinger, conductor Judith Yan, and a creative team including intimacy coordinator Maya Herbsman. Merola will also host a special conversational forum, post-performance on Saturday, July 15th with the creative team and {…}