Premiere Opera Foundation & NYIOP 2019 International Vocal Competition Review: Finals Concert

Saturday, December 7, 2019, saw the finals concert of Premiere Opera Foundation and NYIOP’s International Vocal Competition. The 20 finalists gathered in the resonant First Christian Science Church to share their artistic gifts before a live audience and a panel of distinguished judges, including Paul Hopper of the Metropolitan Opera, Gerald Martin Moore of the Glyndebourne Festival, Pamela Walsh of {…}

Dec 11, 2019

Opéra de Versailles 2019-20 Review: Ercole Amante

A Baroque opera with a goddess riding a flying pig and a sea-god in a submarine? These were just some of the unexpected combinations that you could see if you went to the Opéra de Versailles’ new production of “Ercole Amante.” This co-production of the Opéra National de Bordeaux and the Opéra Comique was performed five times in Paris where {…}

Dec 10, 2019

Donizetti Opera Festival Awarded Major Prize

The Senate budget of Bergamo has approved that Donizetti Opera Festival will be awarded one million euros for the next three years. Antonio Misiani, the secretary of economy announced that the festival will receive a yearly amount for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 festivals. The bill was past in order for the festival to grow in size and in its {…}

Dec 10, 2019

Talents of the World 2019 Review: International Voice Competition Grand Finals

On December 5, 2019, Talents of the World held the grand finals for their third International Voice Competition. Sixteen finalists from across the competition’s regions came together before a panel of judges, comprised of Talents of the World’s directors as well as prominent artistic managers. The opening remarks were delivered by company artistic director Olga Lisovskaya, dedicating this competition to {…}

Dec 10, 2019

Cerise Jacobs and Julian Wachner’s ‘REV. 23’ To Make New York Premiere

Cerise Jacobs and Julian Wahner’s opera “REV. 23” is set to make its New York premiere at the Prototype Festival. “REV. 23,” which had its world premiere in Boston in 2017, adds a satirical twist to an imagined extra chapter in the biblical Book of Revelation. The new production will be conducted by Daniela Candillari and will star soprano Colleen {…}

Dec 10, 2019

Andrea Bocelli Announces Three New Concert Dates

(Credit: Giovanni De Sandre ) Andrea Bocelli has announced three U.S. concerts for 2020. The tenor will appear in three special dates in California beginning with one show at SAP Center in San Jose on June 13 and two shows at the Hollywood Bowl on June 16 & 17. The June 2020 tour will be the first time Bocelli returns {…}

Dec 10, 2019

Opera Australia’s Chorus Master To Exit

(Credit: Albert Comper) Opera Australia has announced that Chorus Master Anthony Hunt will be leaving the Company at the end of the current Melbourne season to return to his hometown of Adelaide with his family. During his time with the company Hunt oversaw the OA chorus for six years, managing rehearsals and guiding the chorus through more than 30 mainstage {…}

Dec 10, 2019

Q & A: Catherine Foster On Vocal Stamina, Taking on Dramatic Roles By Wagner, Strauss, Puccini

Catherine Foster is known as one of the great of Brünnhildes of our time. She has performed the role six consecutive times at the Bayreuth Festival and continues to be in-demand for her interpretation. And while there is no denying that this might be her signature role, it is impossible to discount three other operas that she is also dominating {…}

Dec 9, 2019

Dallas Opera Announces Cast Change For ‘Don Carlo’

The Dallas Opera has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of Verdi’s “Don Carlo.” The company announced that Lucas Meachem will replace Mariusz Kwiecień in the role of Rodrigo. The upcoming production will mark Meachem’s role debut as Rodrigo and his second production at the Dallas Opera this season. He will perform Figaro in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” {…}

Dec 9, 2019

Opéra De Paris Announces Cast Change For ‘Il Barbiere Di Siviglia’

The Opéra National de Paris has announced a cast change for its upcoming revival of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The company announced that Ilya Kutyukhin will take over performances from Jan. 22 through Feb. 12 in the title role replacing Andrzek Filończyk. Additionally, the company announced that Tommaso Barea will replace Davide Giangregorio in the role of Fiorello in all {…}

Dec 9, 2019

Hong Kong Arts Development Council & Asia Society 2019 Review: Mila

(Credit: Ellen Wallop/Asia Society) Since its inception, opera has shifted its focus from gods and kings to the more common and middle class folk. But the domestic worker, while making appearances, is almost never at the core of its stories. “Mila,” an opera presented by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the Asia Society on Dec. 7, 2019 in {…}