The 2023 Olivier Awards were held on April 2 at the Royal Albert Hall. The award for Best New Opera Production went to “Alcina” by Richard Jones at the Royal Opera House. Reacting to the news, Lisette Oropesa said, “‘ALCINA’ wins the Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production!!!! Congratulations to our fabulous team at the Royal Opera House for {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) The Schubert Club has unveiled its 2023-24 season. For this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances. The company will present a concert featuring Stile Antico as it honors the works of William Byrd. “England’s Nightingale – The Remarkable Music of William Byrd” will feature such singers as Helen Ashby, Kate Ashby, Rebecca Hickey, Cara {…}
The Opéra Comique has announced its 2023-24 season. First up is Charles Lecocq’s “La Fille de Angot.” Hervé Niquet will conduct a production by Richard Brunel. The opera will star Hélène Guilmette, Véronique Gens, Pierre Derhet, Julien Behr, Matthieu Lécroart, and Geoffrey Carey. Performance Dates: Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2023 For “Macbeth Underworld,” audiences will see Franck Ollu conduct {…}
For its tenth and final season Third Eye Theatre Ensemble will present Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Consul.” Third Eye Theatre Ensemble was intentional in choosing its final piece as it harkens back to the company’s first production ten years ago, Menotti’s “The Medium.” “The Consul” was also chosen for its “themes of political oppression and personal sacrifice.” “The Consul” will {…}
Pacific Opera Project has named Katherine Powers as its new Executive Director. Powers is a well-rounded arts leader. Her stage experience includes leading soprano roles with LA Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and others. Powers was on the voice faculty at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and has taught at Occidental College, California State University Los Angeles, and for the {…}
The Dessoff Choirs will present J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion on May 6 at Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem. Malcolm J. Merriweather and concertmaster Katie Hyun will lead the period orchestra and soloists, tenors Noah Stewart and Elliott James Encarnación, soprano Sonya Headlam, and bass Kevin Thompson. The alto soloist will be announced at a later date. St. John {…}
Tenor Jorge de León and soprano Saioa Hernández were announced as the first recipients of Talía Awards. León received his Talía Award in the Best Male Lyrical Performer category. He was nominated for his Radames in “Aida” at the Teatro Real. Hernández won Best Female Lyric Interpreter for her Abigaille in “Nabucco” also at Teatro Real. The company brought home {…}
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has received the 2023 Polar Prize. The contemporary classical composer’s career includes vocal and sacred choral works, music written for set pianos, and orchestral pieces. He is known best for his creation of “tintinnabuli,” a minimalist compositional technique, and experiments with the twelve-tone technique, serial music, and collage styles. The Polar Prize website reads, “Composer Arvo {…}
Mayor Henriette Reker and Head of Cultural Affairs Stefan Charles announced the appointment of Colombian conductor and violinist Andrés Orozco-Estrada to the position of Music Director of the City of Cologne and Gürzenich Kapellmeister. In his new role, Orozco-Estrada will be responsible for the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and the Cologne Opera. His tenure begins Sept. 2025. Cologne’s Mayor Henriette Reker stated, {…}
Credit: Hanna Barczyk Brian Deedrick’s new production of Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” will close Vancouver Opera’s 2022-23 season. Leslie Dala will lead the Vancouver Opera orchestra and chorus alongside Greg Dahl in the title role. Marjorie Owens will sing the role of Senta, Richard Wiegold as Daland, Wookyung Kim as Erik, Scott Rumble as Steuermann, and Megan Latham will sing {…}
Mark S. Doss will make his Lincoln Center debut in the concert “Here I Stand: Paul Robeson’s 125th Birthday.” Paying homage to the legendary civil rights activist, professional athlete, actor, and bass-baritone Paul Robeson, Doss will sing Spirituals and works by William Grant Still. He will also perform selections from “The Emperor Jones,” “Show Boat,” “Eugene Onegin,” and “Andrea Chénier. {…}