On Thursday night, Feb. 24, 2022, hostilities began in Ukrainian sovereign territory. I dread saying it, but it was neither sudden nor unexpected; it was rumored even to be a bit delayed. Yet, an unpardonable war crime against humanity has occurred. And again, the lives of real people will pay for it. Choose Your Side We all read short sentences {…}
(Photo: James Glossop) In the early 1730s the newly established The Opera of the Nobility succeeded in displacing Handel from London’s King’s Theatre, causing him to relocate to the recently built Covent Garden, a theatre furnished with the latest stage machinery, a chorus and dance company. The composer’s response to his new circumstances was to compose a run of successful {…}
The Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has announced the the 2022 Gerdine Young Artists and Gaddes Festival Artists. Among the artists are sopranos Angel Azzarra, Rachel Blaustein, Sydney Dardis, Dorothy Gal, Shelén Hughes, Melissa Joseph, Jayden Goldberg, Natalia González Santaliz, Angel Riley, and Hallie Schmid. The mezzo-sopranos include María Consamus, Daniela Magura, Jazmine Olwalia, Meridian Prall, Elissa Pfaender, Elizabeth Sarian, {…}
On March 25 and 27, 2022, Opera Santa Barbara will present the 50th production of “As One” at the Lobero Theater. The opera shares the journey of Hannah, a transgender woman discovering her gender identity and self-acceptance. Hannah is portrayed by two singers; Hannah before will be sung by Evan Bravos and Hannah after will be performed by Ashley Armstrong. {…}
Chicago Fringe Opera has announced that it will present “Two Remain (Out of Darkness)” starting on March 26, 2022. The opera by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer is based on the journals of Krystyna Zywulska and Gad Beck, two Holocaust survivors. It will be directed by Derek Van Barham with Catherine O’Shaughnessy conducting. Taking on the role of Krystyna is {…}
Carnegie Hall and the Vienna Philharmonic have announced that Valery Gergiev will no longer conduct the performances slated for Feb. 25, 26, and 27. Following threats of protest by Ukrainian activists, the conductor and pianist Denis Matsuev have canceled their engagements. As a result, Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct all three programs which are unchanged. A pianist was not announced at {…}
The Sarasota Opera has canceled the Feb. 24 performance of “Tosca” due to COVID-19. The company announced the news via social media and said, “tonight’s performance of ‘Tosca’ is being rescheduled due to breakthrough COVID exposures in the Chorus. The new performance date is Weds, March 2 at 7:30pm. Tickets for tonight’s performance will be honored on March 2nd.” The {…}
Conductor Valery Gergiev is under fire for his storied support of Putin. Following the Russian leader’s decision to attack and invade Ukraine, many are calling on Gergiev to condemn the leader. In Milan, where the Russian conductor is currently leading “The Queen of Spades,” the Mayor of Milan Beppe Sala ordered the company’s superintendent Dominique Meyer to fire the Russian {…}
Following the attack against Ukraine by the Russian government on Feb. 23, 2022, several Russian and Ukrainian artists are voicing their support for Ukraine and asking for peace. Russian soprano Olga Peretyatko took to social media and posted a picture against war and said, “God, how can I stop this?” Russian Tenor Maxim Mironov also took to his social media {…}
The George London Foundation Competition has announced the finalists for the 2022 edition. Bass-baritone Joseph Parrish will sing “Aprite un po’quegli occhi” from “Le Nozze di Figaro” while tenor Eric Ferring will take on “Una furtiva lagrima” from “L’Elisir d’Amore.” Soprano Erika Baikoff will perform “No word from Tom” from “The Rake’s Progress” and baritone Erik Grendhal will present “Pierrot’s {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Don Giovanni.” The company noted that bass Alex Rosen will replace Leonard Bernad in the role of Il Commendatore, who has had to cancel due to personal reasons. Rosen will also perform the role of Masetto in the production. He made his international debut with {…}
