The Seattle Symphony has announced Malaysian conductor Tengku Irfan as its new assistant conductor. He will officially begin his tenures from the start of the 2026-27 season. Irfan has appeared around the world as a conductor, pianist and composer and made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting the Juilliard Orchestra and has appeared as a guest conductor with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra {…}
(Photo: Geoffroy Schied) Beethoven’s only opera has always occupied a singular and somewhat anomalous position in the repertory. Despite repeated revisions, the composer never entirely reconciled the conventions of Singspiel with the elevated moral and philosophical aspirations that animated the work. Yet it is precisely this unresolved tension that has guaranteed “Fidelio” its enduring fascination. At once a domestic drama, {…}
(Credit:Kristin Hoebermann) Anthony Clark Evans is saying goodbye to the opera stage. According to Promothean Artists, Evans’ performances as Marcello in Franco Zeffirelli’s production of “La Bohème” at the Metropolitan Opera will “conclude his life on the operatic stage.” On his bio the management company said, “With this farewell engagement, Mr. Evans steps away from performing, carrying with him a {…}
The Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts has announced the appointment of Aren Der Hacopian as its new Executive Director. Der Hacopian joins the organization with more than 20 years of experience in arts administration. He has held leadership positions at Seattle Opera since 2010, overseeing artistic administration, production planning, workforce leadership and financial oversight across major institutional {…}
The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has announced six new appointments, including sopranos Amanda Roocroft and Anna Devin as Professors of Voice. Additionally, Anne Le Bozec and Joseph Middleton join as International Visiting Professors of Piano (Collaborative), Richard Stokes joins the School of Vocal Studies and Opera as a guest tutor, and German pianist Uta Weyand joins as International {…}
YPC National will present its 2026 Summer Choral Intensive from July 22 to July 25 in New York City. The intensive will bring together more than 200 young choristers and over 30 conductors, music educators, and university level music students. The program features two public performances, including “Amistat y Canción: An Evening with the Young People’s Chorus of New York {…}
OPERA America has announced the recipients of its 2026 Commissioning Grants from its Opera Grants for Women Composers program. The grants which total $135,000 will promote the development of new work by women-identifying composers and bring visibility to women composers across the field. Funds up to $50,000 support the composer’s commissioning fee for a full production of a new opera. {…}
Hopewell Festival will present its inaugural concert on August 16, 2026, at Hopewell Valley Vineyards in Pennington, New Jersey. The concert, “Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song,” will feature soprano Latonia Moore with The Guy Mintus Trio, presented in partnership with New York City Opera’s Bryant Park concert series. The program will explore music associated with Fitzgerald and {…}
Opera Carolina has unveiled its 2026-27 season. The company’s 77th season opens with Mozart’s “Requiem” at the Knight Theater, presented in partnership with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Charlotte Master Chorale. The performance commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Performance Date: Sept. 11, 2026 The company then presents Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Medium” at the Halton Theater, {…}
(Credit: Tommi – PHOTOGRAPHER) On July 15, ORF Drei is set to broadcast Oper im Steinbruch’s new production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The production will star Joyce El-Khoury in the title role of Tosca alongside Yongzhao Yu as Cavaradossi and Gevorg Hakobyan as Scarpia. The cast is rounded out by Thaddeus Strassberger directs the new production by Valerio Galli. Th production, {…}
On July 15, Mezzo.TV is set to broadcast Donizetti’s “Lucrezia Borgia” from the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. The recording, which was made on April 18, 2026, was directed by Frédéric Caillierez. Giampaolo Bisanti conducts the production by Jean-Louis Grinda. Jessica Pratt stars in the title role of Lucrezia Borgia alongside Dmitry Korchak as Gennaro, Marko Mimica as Alfonso D’Este, and Julie {…}