Ekaterina Semeunchuk will no longer sing in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” Semenchuk was initially announced to portray the role of Preziosilla when the 2023-24 season was presented but the website currently lists the role as TBA and has not announced a replacement. The mezzo-soprano recently performed a “Tribute to St Petersburg” at the {…}
The Queen Sonja Competition has eliminated soprano Anastasiya Taratorkina because she is a double citizen of Russia and Germany. OperaWire has received official emails from the soprano in which the competition states that no person with a Belorussian or Russian passport will be allowed to participate. The email read, “This year’s regulations do not allow participants with Russian or Belarusian {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Ryan Speedo Green is the winner of the 2023 Beverly Sills Award; this is the second time that he receives the distinction following a victory in 2021 when he was named alongside four other artists. The honor comes with a $50,000 cash award that recognizes major singers with rising Met Opera careers. Green is {…}
(Credit: E.-Moreno-Esquibel) The Tutto Verdi International Awards has announced its 2023 winners. Taking home the prize for best conductor was Riccardo Frizza. Best Stage Direction went to Emilio Sagi while Daniela Barcelona won for Best Female singer for her work in “Il Trovatore.” Best Male singer went to Juan Jesús Rodríguez. Pier Luigi Pizzi was given an award for {…}
Photo credit: S. Richards Photography Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and the Nu Deco Ensemble’s recording of Chris Rogerson’s multimedia work “Sacred Earth” premieres on YouTube on April 20, 2023. “Sacred Earth” explores “nature, spirituality, and the human connection to the natural world.” The work is sewn together musically by J’Nai Bridges and the Nu Deco Ensemble. It also features elements of {…}
Vocal Arts DC has announced its 2023-24 season, which will feature some of opera’s biggest stars. It all kicks off with a recital featuring Anthony Roth Costanzo and Bryan Wagorn performing songs and cantatas. Performance Date: Sept. 21, 2023 Next up is Jonah Hoskins and pianist William Woodard presenting a program of music by Heggie, Lee Hoiby, and Erike Satie. {…}
The Tulsa Symphony’s Executive Director and CEO has resigned from his position. Keith C. Elder, who has led the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra for the past four years will leave immediately and will be replaced by Ron Predl, who will serve as an interim executive director while the orchestra’s board of directors begins a national search. According to an official press release, {…}
The Philharmonia Orchestra has announced the appointment of Sir John Eliot Gardiner as Principal Guest Conductor Emeritus from the 2023-24 season. The orchestra noted that the relationship with Gardiner reignited during the COVID lockdowns with a streamed performance of Elgar’s Enigma Variations. The conductor also performed with the orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. The recent successes moved the musicians {…}
O Mon Bel inconnu (11.IV.2023) Today, Reynaldo Hahn is remembered less for his music than for his friendships and relationships. In my mind, one of the main reasons for this oblivion is that he managed to surround himself with his friends who often outshone him—who could be wiser than Proust, after all? We are tempted to believe that Hahn composed {…}
To celebrate its 53rd Anniversary, Regina Opera Company will hold a concert featuring orchestral and opera works. Leading the operatic portion of the concert are sopranos Brooke Schooley and Tate Chu, tenors Paolo Buffagni and Percy Martinez, and baritone Brian Montgomery. Pianist Catherine Miller and flutist Richard Paratley will accompany the singers. They will be joined by the Regina Opera {…}
The Dutch National Opera is set to present a new production of Dvořák’s “Rusalka.” The production will be directed by Philipp Stölzl, who is having a career in film as well as opera. He will present a new reading of this dark fairy tale about the ill-fated water nymph. His Rusalka will center on a woman who is hoping to make {…}