On June 18, 2023, Romanian composer, conductor, and musicologist Cornel Țăranu passed away at the age of 88. Born on June 20, 1934 in Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, his father was a violinist and he began to study music from a young age. He studied at the local conservatory, and in 1955 made his debut as a composer with his “Trio {…}
(Credit: ©Gemma Escribano) After having performed all over the world at the Teatro Regio di Parma, Donizetti Opera Festival, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro San Carlo, Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Teatro Regio di Torino, and Royal Opera Muscat, among many others, there can be no doubt that Marko Mimica is one of opera’s rising stars. And this month, the bass-baritone will {…}
The American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra have announced the appointment of Jennifer Ritvo Hughes as its new CEO, effective August. Hughes will build upon the success of her predecessor, Danielle Ames Spivak. Hughes will oversee AFIPO’s daily operations, fundraising efforts, community engagement, and promotion of the globally renowned Israel Philharmonic in the United States. In a statement, Hughs {…}
The 58th International Festival Wratislavia Cantans announced its lineup taking place Sept. 7-17 in Wrocław and Lower Silesia. The title of this year’s edition is “Mother Nature,” inspired by Joseph Haydn’s “The Seasons.” Soprano Iwona Hossa, tenor Pawel Skaluba, and bass Jerzy Butryn serve as soloists in the first concert,“Cosmogony.” The program features Tan Dun’s “Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and {…}
Des Moines Metro Opera Announces its lineup for its 2024 festival. All productions will be performed in rotating repertory at the Pote Theatre at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa. Each opera features English supertitles. The Des Moines Metro Opera Festival Orchestra will accompany all four productions. Starting things off is Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” starring baritone {…}
The information for this article was provided by Martin’s family. Famed Verdi scholar and historian George W. Martin passed away on June 8, 2023. He was 97. Martin famously wrote 12 books on opera, Giuseppe Verdi, and other historical subjects. Martin was born in New York in 1926 to George Whitney Martin Sr., a lawyer, and Agnes Wharton Hutchinson Martin. {…}
If you’re not fully conversant with the tale that is the centerpiece of one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most celebrated and performed works, “Il Trovatore,” then I highly recommend a little further reading and research before attempting to digest this opera. It may well help to alleviate some of the confusion in following the plot. There’s little one can do, however, {…}
UrbanArias has announced that it will be suspending activities in the near future. The company took to social media to make the announcement with co-founder and General Director Robert Wood, and President Susan Derry writing an open letter about the decision. The letter notes that the company is taking a break to “search for a new model for our company, {…}
(Credit: Vincent Peters / Met Opera) Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala have won awards from the Association of Music Critics of Argentina. Netrebko won the award for Best Female Foreign Singer, while Beczala won for Best Male Foreign Singer. The soprano was recognized for her performances of “Tosca,” while the tenor was honored for his acclaimed recital at the famed {…}
Opera on Tap (OOT) has announced that it has received a major grant from Infosys Foundation USA. The grant will be used to fund an addition to the Playground Opera program, “Opera Maker Lab,” a space that allows the organization’s education team to work with Makers and STEM-based educators to help introduce students to STEM/STEAM through operatic means. Per an {…}
On Oct. 28, 2023, Bampton Classical Opera Young Singers’ Competition 2023 will hold the first round of their sixth biennial competition. Launched in 2013, the competition seeks to support some of England’s most promising young singers and their accompanists. The first closed round will take place on Oct. 28 and 29, with the final public round to be held on {…}