German Culture Minister Monika Grütters has announced that the German government will help cultural institutions and artists who have suffered major financial disruption as a result of cancelations made for coronavirus precautions. Most cultural institutions have been shut down over the last few days to help with containing the spread of coronavirus. As a result, many artists have found their {…}
Composer Charles Wuorinen has died at the age of 81. The composer died on March 11 from complications after sustaining a fall in September 2019. Born in New York on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Wuorinen graduated from Trinity School in New York City as valedictorian in 1956 and later received a B.A. and M.A. in music from Columbia University. {…}
Luca Targetti has died at the age of 62 from the coronavirus. The Teatro alla Scala announced the new via a press release that stated, “Sovrintendente Dominique Meyer, Music Director Riccardo Chailly, all the artists and staff of Teatro alla Scala together with the Academy Teatro alla Scala have learnt with dismay of Luca Targetti’s sudden passing after a short {…}
Jonas Kaufmann has canceled his appearance in the March 13, 2020 performance of Beethoven’s “Fidelio” in London. The Royal Opera House announced that due to illness, Kaufmann will not be able to perform. According to his official instagram, he been fighting an infection since before the opening night. As a result David Butt Philip will sing the role of Florestan. {…}
Mezzo-soprano Kathie Kane is the first place winner of 2020 International Collegiate Singing Championship. She was selected from among a total of 11 finalists. Kane sang her first operatic lead at age 19 and went on to study at Crane School of Music and Eastman School of Music. She is currently a Resident Professional Artist at the Ohio Light Opera. {…}
Barbara Hannigan is set to receive the 2020 Glashütte Original Music Festival Award at the 43rd Dresden Music Festival. The ceremony will take place on May 28, 2020 at Kulturpalast Dresden following her performance with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. She will be endowed with 25, 000 euros. In addition to being a renowned soprano and conductor, she has been a {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced six new members to its 2020-21 HGO Studio. The new participants of the studio include baritone Blake Denson, tenor Ricardo Garcia, bass Cory McGee, mezz-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce, soprano Raven McMIillon, and pianist Bin Yu Sanford. There will also be five returning artists including mezzo-soprano Lindsay Kate Brown, pianist Alex Munger, bass-baritone Nicholas Newton, bass {…}
Bare Opera has announced that it will be launching The Bare Opera Artist Relief Fund to support artists during the financial hardship they are likely to face during the pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to the closure of almost all major opera companies around the world, leaving artists without a salary or job protection. Given the circumstances, Bare Opera {…}
The Chicago Opera Theater, despite being forced to cancel several performances due to Coronavirus, will still honor its agreed upon fees, regardless of the Force Majeure clause. Per The Middle-Class Artist, “despite the financial hardship, Chicago Opera Theatre is ignoring the #Forcemajeure clause and paying its artist the full fee. One singer involved told me, she’s ‘grateful they’re in a {…}
Lincoln Center campus has suspended all performances. The campus announced that in “light of the circumstances involving the COVID-19 virus, the performing arts institutions will suspend public performances and screenings as of 5 PM Thursday night for the month of March. This is in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 virus, and to prioritize the health of our {…}
The Portland Opera has announced that its performances of “Bajazet” at the New Mark Theatre have been canceled due to precautions taken against the spread of COVID-19. The performances were slated for March 20-28, 2020. The cancelation was made in compliance with a mandate issued by Oregon State Governor Kate Brown. This was to be the U.S. professional company debut {…}