Opera Singer and Broadway star Claude Heater passed away on May 28. 2020 from cardiovascular disease. Born in Oakland, California on October 25, 1927, Heater studied as a baritone in Los Angeles, and made his Broadway debut at the age of 23 in “Top Banana.” Two years later, he was the baritone member of the trio in the world premiere {…}
Florentine soprano Jolanda Meneguzzer passed away on June 7, 2020, at the age of 90. Born in 1930, Meneguzzer was in her early teens during the final years of World War II. In an interview with William Burnett, she said of the experience: “During the war I never stopped studying. It was a very difficult period, because Florence was occupied {…}
June 8th marks the start of African-American Music Appreciation Month. While the talent and musical accomplishments of the black community cannot possibly be summarized in one article, we have compiled a list of notable recordings of not only great singers, but also composers whose works have been overlooked for decades, even centuries. In recent years more attention has finally been {…}
(Image Source: Canadian Opera Company) The Toronto Alliance for Performing Arts has unveiled the nominees for the 2020 Dora Mavor Moore Awards. For this article, our sole focus will be on nominations related to the opera world. Tapestry Opera led the way with 13 nominations spread over two different projects, including three nominations apiece in the Outstanding Achievement in Design {…}
The Long Beach Opera is hosting “Latin Heat: Sounds of my Land.” The panel, which will discuss Hispanic Classical Music, will be hosted by Colombian soprano Catalina Cuervo. Soprano Elizabeth Caballero, conductor Jorge Parodi, director José María Condemi, baritone and professor Ricardo Herrera will head the discussion. Andrea Catán, arts administrator, harpist, and promoter of Daniel Catán’s music, will also {…}
On June 15, 2020, soprano Hui He will perform a concert organized by the Music Association VeronaLirica. The concert, which marks one of the first performances in Italy with an audience since the breakout of COVID-19, will be held at the St. Zeno Abbey, Verona. The event will be open to members of VeronaLirica and will be limited to 100 people. {…}
The San Diego Opera has announced the 2020-21 season featuring six productions. Main Stage The season opens with Keturah Stickann’s production of Puccini’s “La Bohème.” Angel Joy Blue stars in the title role with Joshua Guerrero as Rodolfo, Andrea Carroll as Musetta, Alexander Birch Elliot as Marcello, and Scott Sikon as Beniôt/Alcindoro. Valerio Galli conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 24-Nov. 1, {…}
The Grand Théâtre de Genève has announced the reopening of its theater with three programs starting on June 13. Sabine Devieilhe will open the hall in a recital with pianist Mathieu Pordoy. The program will feature music by Mozart and Richard Strauss. On June 19, Jonathan Nott will conduct a Verdi and Wagner program with soloists Andreas Schager, Georg Zeppenfeld, {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) Sonya Yoncheva is set to headline the reopening of Victoria Hall in Geneva on June 21. The soprano will perform in a unique post-COVID version of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. She will join the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the chorus of the Grand Théâtre de Genève, and the Zürcher Sing-Akademie. Jonathon Knott will conduct the symphony, which {…}
The Verdi Festival in Parma has announced a newly revised program. Due to social distancing regulations, the festival will now be held outdoors in order to accommodate as many audience members as possible. The season will now open with a concert performance of Verdi’s “Macbeth” in French. Ludovic Tézier and Davinia Rodríguez star in the lead roles with Riccardo Zanellato {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice has announced that this year’s live opera staging, typically the highlight of its annual summer music festival will be a drive-in performance of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The performance, set for August 29, will take place at Tech City in Kingston, New York. As with drive-in movie experiences, audience members will drive {…}