(Photos Courtesy of Pam Chaddon, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs / Taken during rehearsal) Back in February, Eapen Leubner’s Art Song Colorado presented “Voices of the African Diaspora,” a concert dedicated to Black composers throughout the centuries. Audiences had the chance to listen to works by Joseph Bologne, H. Leslie Adams, George Walker, Jessie Montgomery, Andre Myers, and Undine Smith {…}
On June 8, 2022, English conductor David Lloyd-Jones passed away at the age of 87. Born on November 19, 1934, Lloyd-Jones’ family moved from their native London to a farm in West Wales shortly before World War II. After being introduced to Mozart in school, he soon developed a loved for classical music after his father brought him to a {…}
On June 24, 2022, Opera Naples Summer Youth Program will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular operetta, “H.M.S. Pinafore.” Company Director of Education Robin Frank will music direct the production alongside veteran G&S performer and director Louis Dall’Ava. The cast will star students of the Summer Youth Program. Performances will be held on June 24, 25, and 26 at the Wang {…}
Lisette Oropesa has canceled her performance at the Musique & Vin au Clos Vougeot in Burgundy on June 19. The soprano took to social media and said, “I’m devastated not to be able to return to my beloved Burgundy this year after an incredible 10-year relationship with the Festival Musique & Vin au Clos Vougeot. Sadly, I’m still quite unwell {…}
Maria Guleghina is set to return to the stage on June 18 in a production of “Parsifal.” The soprano will sing the role of Kundry at the Sofia Opera in Bulgaria. In a statement, Guleghina said, “Dear friends, I am very happy to invite you to the fantastic production of academia. Kartalov the opera “Parsifal.” Expect beautiful music and fantastic {…}
The New York Philharmonic has announced that it intends to restore its musicians’ salaries to their pre-pandemic rates based on the 2019-20 season scale. The organization noted that this will go into effect starting on Sept. 21, 2022 instead of the previously agreed on Sept. 20, 2024 date as originally established in the Collective Bargaining agreement. “Our Orchestra has weathered {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced date changes for “Ariadne auf Naxos.” The company noted that performances scheduled on June 16 and 18 have been moved to June 27 and 29, 2022. The changes are due to Music Director Daniele Gatti having tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, Gatti has canceled his concert on June 17 and the Maggio Musicale announced {…}
The Mid-Atlantic Symphony has appointed Michael Repper as its new Music Director. The conductor is internationally recognized not only for his work at the podium but also as a pianist and recording artist. Repper is currently the Music Director of the New York Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall, with whom he recorded the works of Jessie Montgomery, Valerie Coleman and {…}
(Credit: © Marc Brenner) “La Gioconda,” or “‘The Ballad singer” to give the opera its usual English translation, actually translates to, “The Happy Woman.” Irony overload, indeed, for an opera infused with sin, bitter revenge, betrayal, adultery, suicide, murder, cruelty and the Roman Inquisition. “La Gioconda” is a bit of a bizarre opera, by any standards. Encapsulating passion, violence and ultimately tragedy it {…}
Washington Performing Arts has announced its 2022-23 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal and operatic performances. The Men and Women of the Gospel Choir, under conductor Theodore Thorpe III, will present “We’ve Come This Far By Faith: A 30th Anniversary Celebration.” Performance Date: Nov. 20, 2022 Tito Muñoz will conduct the Sphinx {…}
The Kennedy Center has announced the 2022-23 season of Renée Fleming’s VOICES series. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on classical music performers. First up will be Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez who will appear at Eisenhower Tower. “In Juan Diego Flórez, we have one of the great bel canto tenors of our time,” Fleming noted {…}
