(Credit: Ken Howard) Terrence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer’s “Champion” is termed an “opera in jazz,” a unique choice of words. There are a lot of operas in the history of the artform that have gone under the designation of “jazz opera,” but the choice here speaks to Blanchard’s decision to use the full range of jazz expression in the context {…}
The Festival Valle d’itria Martina Franca has announced its revised 2020 edition. Opera The first work of the season will be “Il borghese gentiluomo” with music by Richard Strauss. The work based on a comedy by Moliere will star Stefano Massini and Davide Gasparro sharing the title role alongside Vittorio Prato, Ana Victoria Pitts, Barbara Massaro, Manuel Amati, Nico Franchini, {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) Sonya Yoncheva has announced a gala concert at the Roman Theater in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The soprano revealed the event on social media stating “I am very happy to come back to Plovdiv, my home town, and sing for my audience and friends after more than 7 years. I will be presenting an Opera Gala in the majestic {…}
(© Decca / Simon Fowler) Superstar soprano Aida Garifullina has announced her new documentary “My Argentinian Dream.” The soprano revealed the project via social media stating, “Finally I can announce that on June 28th Arte TV will broadcast a 60’ documentary movie about my trip to Buenos Aires, my concert at the Teatro Colon but besides this, you’ll see all {…}
Chandos Records announced the August 7th release of British composer Dame Ethel Smyth’s “The Prison.” The recording features such soloists as soprano Sarah Brailey and baritone Dashon Burton backed by the Experiential Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of James Blachly. The release date coincides with the 100th anniversary of the enfranchisement of women after the passage of the 19th {…}
Operations to renovate certain parts of stage equipment at the Paris Opera has been approved by the organization’s Board of Directors with work slated to begin July 2020. Originally planned for the 2021 off-season, the move advances possibilities for broader programming by mid-2021 when the opera anticipates an environment more conducive to presenting performances. The Palais Garnier stage will be {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) For this week’s puzzle, you are tasked with finding the first name of a number of major black artists. Instructions: You are free to solve the word search directly on your mobile or desktop device; just click the first and last letter of each word for it to appear on the screen. For those {…}
Whether it is a brand new Ferrari or a Rolls Royce cabriolet – the relationship between star singers and their cars has always been something of an amour fou. Piotr Beczała is no exception and the Polish tenor drives a sleek and elegant Jaguar XK150 which, in general terms, might well serve the description of his voice. Timeless, and equipped {…}
La Monnaie de Mont has announced alterations to its 2020-21 season. The Belgium company announced that the world premiere of “The Time of Our Singing” has been postponed until next season, while “The Sleeping Thousand” production has been canceled. As a result, the company will present a Corona-proof alternative, “Is this the end?” The new project is a pop requiem in {…}
Uruguayan composer and conductor Federico Garcia Vigil passed away on June 4, 2020, at the age of 79. Born in Montevideo on January 5, 1941, Vigil attended the Elbio Fernandez school before studying piano at the Guillermo Kolischer Conservatory. In the 1960s, Vigil was hired to work at the Orchester de Ballet Alicia Alsono in Havana Cuba. Here, he met {…}
The Nashville Symphony Orchestra has canceled its 2020-21 season. In a press release, president Alan D. Valentine said, “Today, our Board of Directors voted to suspend all concert and event activity through July 31, 2021, and to furlough a total of 79 musicians and 49 full-time staff members, effective July 1.” He continued, “Like many other businesses and organizations, the {…}
