On March 23, 2020, Andreas Pieske passed away at the age of 91, as confirmed by the Leipzig Opera. From 1960 to 1990, Pieske served as choir director for the Leipzig Opera, where he was credited for making it into one of the best choirs in German-speaking countries. He was also director of the Gewandhaus Choir from 1964 to 1980. {…}
For this week’s round of puzzles we turn to the world of “Aida” and many of the great sopranos to interpret the role over the years. 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 {…}
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra has announced that member violist Vincent Lionti has died of COVID-19. The orchestra announced the news via social media stating, “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of our own. Vincent Lionti passed away due to complications related to Covid-19. ‘Vinnie’ joined the viola section of the MET Orchestra in 1987. We {…}
The Salzburg Easter Festival is launching a streaming platform in collaboration with Unitel. From April 4 through 16, the dates of the festival, there will be free videos of the opera productions from the era of Christian Thielemann/Staatskapelle Dresden from 2013 to 2017. The program kicks off with a 2017 recording of “Die Walküre,” in a production by Vera Nemirova {…}
The LA Opera has unveiled the slate for its “LAO at Home” program for the week between April 6-10. The weekly streaming service will kick off on Monday with a living room recital headlined by soprano Janai Brugger. The recital starts at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET. On Tuesday at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, the {…}
On April 5, 2020 Pacific Opera Victoria will present their “Inside Opera” program, a discussion between host and Curator of Public Engagement Robert Holliston, and Timothy Vernon, the company’s Artistic Director. The podcast will go live at 10 a.m. PT, at pacificopera.ca. As Holliston and Vernon discuss their favorite operas and composers, listeners will also receive a link to a {…}
(Credit: Suzanne Vinnik) On Saturday, April 4, 2020, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges will perform a live concert through OurConcerts.live with all proceeds going to Artist Live Tree. The showcase kicks off at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and will also feature clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianists Emanuel Ax and Jon Kimura Parker, violinist Rachel Barton Pine, and harpist Bridget Kibbey. {…}
The Atlanta Symphony has announced its 2020-21 season. For this article we will highlight the vocal performances. Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” will be conducted by Robert Spano with soloists Jessica Rivera, Kelley O’Connor, Thomas Cooley, and Nmon Ford. Performance Dates: Nov. 19 & 21, 2020 Handel’s Messiah will be conducted by Norman Mackenzie and the ASO Chamber Chorus. Performance Dates: Dec. 17 & {…}
Herbert von Karajan may have been a controversial figure, but there is no doubt that as far as conductors go, he was one of the finest ever. While his symphonic output is often his most beloved, his operatic interpretations also have become legendary. So for this edition of the quiz, we turn to Karajan’s opera career with some fun questions {…}
(Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) To supplement its popular Met Opera Nightly Streams, the Metropolitan opera is launching Free Student Streams, a new program that provides free opera for students and teachers around the world. Per a press release, the company will draw from its extensive library of operas and materials to provide students a cross-curricular experience that includes live virtual {…}
This week three CDs will be available to stream featuring some of the greatest soloists in the world. Check these out! Dvořák Requiem Jakub Hrůša and Jiri Belohlavek lead the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Prague Philharmonic Choir in Dvořák’s Requiem, Biblical Songs, and Te Deum. The album, which is being released by Decca, includes soloists Ailyn Pérez, Christianne Stotijn, Michael {…}