“The Wonderland Series” will make its digital premiere on Sept 16 and 26 as part of the Rochester Fringe Festival. The experimental multimedia opera by Anna Heflin was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and will feature violinist Shannon Reilly performing and acting as she “weaves between every imaginable multimedia form.” “Shannon is one of the most hardworking people {…}
(Credit: Julia Wesely) After a performance of “Elektra” on August 17, 2020, conductor Franz Welser-Möst was awarded with the Ruby Festival Brooch at the Salzburg Festival. The award was presented to the conductor on his 60th birthday by Salzburg Festival President Helga Rabl-Stadler. Welser-Möst made his debut with the Festival back on August 29, 1985 in a concert featuring works by {…}
We are now entering the final weeks of summer, which means that opera companies in Europe will be in full swing while many opera companies in North America will start to test the waters with their brand new digital seasons. Nonetheless, the streaming has continued at a steady clip with another set of unique offerings coming your way this week. {…}
Massenet’s opera “Thaïs,” set in 4th century Alexandria, focuses on two individuals with diametrically opposed outlooks and lifestyles. There is the hedonistic courtesan Thaïs, who seeks only love—although for no longer than a week at a time—and there is a cenobite monk named Athanaël, an ascetic, whose aim is to turn the courtesan to the path of righteousness. While he {…}
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have endorsed Joe Biden for President of the United States. Both AFM and IATSE represent musicians and stage employees of major opera companies and orchestras around the United States. In a report made by Deadline, AFM reached its decision to support the Democratic candidate via a {…}
(Credits: © Algirdas Bakas / Julian Baumann) The Wiener Staatsoper has confirmed that it will reopen on September 7, 2020. Vienna’s operatic behemoth will restart its performances after a six-month hiatus with the production “Madama Butterfly.” The strict COVID-19 rules for the audiences will include mandatory facemasks at all times, except when seated during the performance, and at least one {…}
Cincinnati Song Initiative has announced its 2020-21 season which will feature all-digital performances. The season will feature mainstage projects including “A World of Song,” “Winter Song Festival,” and “Let it Be New.” A World of Song The main slate will kick off with “For the Dream Unfinished” starring Jasmine Habersham, Nicole Heaston, Nicholas Newton, Blair Salter, and Rolando Salazar. The {…}
The Dutch National Opera has revamped its fall season. The company announced that due to the current crisis, the planned season opener “Mefistofele” will be replaced by “Faust [Working Title],” a pastiche based on Goethe’s “Faust.” The program will include a large-scale performance with choir, orchestra, soloists, and a wealth of music, from classical to lesser-known repertoire. Performance Dates: Sept. {…}
Audiences will have the opportunity to hear the award-winning composer, vocalist, and producer, Lisa Bielawa’s “Broadcast from Home” song cycle in its entirety during a two-part listening event on Thursday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. EDT and Friday, August 21 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The program is presented by Kaufman Music Center. Bielawa began “Broadcast from Home” on April 9, {…}
(Credit: Pittsburgh Festival Opera Facebook page) The Pittsburgh Festival Opera has announced its incoming Fall Online Program. The lineup will feature PFO’s Young Artists in the short online scenes. For the project that was named “Opera Without Walls,” these online scenes will be incorporated into a variety of TV and movie genres. Short episodes will showcase opera-themed ads, as well {…}
Opéra Monte Carlo has announced a new concert tour entitled “Farinelli and his time” which will take place across Europe between August 18 – Sept. 1, 2020. The concert will feature Cecilia Bartoli and Les Musiciens du Prince-Monaco as they perform music by Handel, Porporal, Hasse, Telemann, and Vivaldi. The tour will start on August 18, 2020, at the Festival {…}