A forensic review commissioned by Bard College found a “strong substantive basis” for questioning two emails in the Justice Department’s Epstein files. The emails purportedly show former Bard president Leon Botstein corresponding with Jeffrey Epstein about an individual identified as Jane Doe. FTI Consulting delivered its report to Bard’s Board of Trustees on Oct. 19, 2026, responding to an Oct. {…}
Ask an opera audience to name composers working in the 1820s and 1830s, and the answers will come readily: Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Meyerbeer. Ask the audience to name a woman writing opera in those same decades, and the conversation may become quieter. Carolina Uccelli belongs in that conversation. In 1835, her “Anna di Resburgo” reached the stage in Naples {…}
Angelo Taddeo has been named International Artistic Consultant at the Florida Grand Opera. Taddeo is the Artistic Director of the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago and President of the Accademia Pucciniana. He is also an accomplished conductor and cultural leader with an extensive international career and brings a wealth of artistic experience and longstanding relationships with some of the {…}
Following the postponement of “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr,” composer Kamala Sankaram released a statement via social media. The composer said, “My name is Kamala Sankaram, and I’m the composer of ‘The Many Deaths of Laila Starr.’ As you may have heard, the opera was supposed to premiere this weekend but has now been postponed to a future season {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its production of “Un Ballo in Maschera.” The company said that Anna Pirozzi will sing the role of Amelia replacing Anastasia Bartoli. In a statement Pirozzi said, “Thrilled to be back at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, in the most unexpected moment! Sometimes the most exciting news come when you least {…}
(Credit: Musicians Of the Minnesota Opera) The Musicians of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra have released a statement following the postponement of “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr.” The musicians said, “Minnesota Opera management has effectively locked out its audiences, artists and professional orchestra and canceled the October 31 opening night of a world premiere, even as negotiations have continued. The {…}
Placido Domingo’s representative Peter Hofstötter has died. Domingo announced the news on social media horning his longtime friend and representative. He said, “My Dearest Peter, There are no words to describe the great emptiness and sadness that overwhelms me with your passing. We saw each other just a few days ago in Vienna, with the promise to meet again soon {…}
The 2026 Operalia Competition finalists have been announced after the semi-finals. The Finalists Opera are: Alikhan Beisekov, baritone, Kazakhstan Vladyslav Buialskyi, bass-baritone, Ukraine Roman Chabaranok, bass, Ukraine Robert Lewis, tenor, UK Zihao Li, baritone, China Tessa McQueen, soprano, USA Emma Marhefka, soprano, USA Junhyeok Felix Park, baritone, South Korea Sungmin Park, bass, South Korea Kirill Sikora, tenor, Russia Jiazhou Wang, {…}
Cincinnati Opera and 90.9 WGUC, the company’s media partner, will broadcast six performances from the 2026 Summer Festival on Sunday evenings beginning Nov. 1, followed by a live broadcast of the company’s 2027 Season Preview on Jan. 23, 2027. First up is “Salome.” Robert Spano conducts. The cast includes Kathryn Lewek, Alfred Walker, Chad Shelton, Michelle DeYoung, and Zach Borichevsky, {…}
The String Orchestra of Brooklyn will present “Troubled Light” on Nov. 21 at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn. The showcase features pianist Shai Wosner, making his debut with the orchestra, in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482. The Ghostlight Chorus, directed by Evelyn Troester DeGraf, then joins the orchestra for Haydn’s “Lord {…}
(Photos by Andrew Werner) French American Aid for Children (FAAFC) honored Philippe Oddou, co-founder and executive director of Sport dans la Ville, with the Simone Alibert Smith Award at its Fête de l’Opéra Comique gala at the Metropolitan Club in New York on Oct. 20, 2026. The black-tie masquerade benefit supports underserved children and young people in France and the {…}