(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera has published a statement addressing its need to do more in favor of racial equality while responding to much of the criticism that has come its way over the past few weeks. Last week, the company put out a statement in support of Black Lives and against racism. The statement, while {…}
The English Touring Opera has announced a revised autumn season. In a press release, the company said, “we are working to produce a live season of lyric theatre this Autumn, touring in October and November. This program is being designed to observe social distancing guidelines in the interest of the safety of our artists and audience. For this reason, we {…}
(Credit: Nadine Benjamin) The Téte à téte Festival has announced the program for its 2020 season “in an imaginary world.” With the cancelation of the actual festival, the company will be replacing it with a more abstract one that may or may not happen in reality. This new concept will now feature several world premieres that reflect that social milieu. {…}
The Verbier Festival has announced that it is teaming up with medici.tv and Radio Télévision Suisse to present the Virtual Verbier Festival between July 16-August 12. The festival will feature several online performances as well as the broadcasting of part events. The medici.tv program includes several major instrumentalists such as Evgeny Kissin, Martha Argerich, Joshua Bell, András Schiff, Gautier and {…}
(Image Source / Credit: Askonas Holt / Dario Acosta / Cecilia Bartoli Official Website) The Salzburg Festival has announced its revised edition. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Opera Franz Welser-Möst Conducts R. Strauss’ “Elektra“ in a production by Krzysztof Warlikowski. The production stars Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, Aušrine Stundyte, Asmik Grigorian, Michael Laurenz Aegisth, and Derek Welton. Performance Dates: August 1- {…}
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. {…}