Semi-Finalists Announced for Inaugural Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition

(Credit: Hallé Concerts Society) The Hallé has announced the names of the 10 semi-finalists in the inaugural Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition. They have been selected from a pool of 287 applicants representing 55 countries across six continents. Conductors that will be taking part in the semi-finals include Joel Sandelson (British), Delyana Lazarova (Bulgarian), Andres Kaljuste (Estonian), Antoine Petit-Dutaillis and {…}

Jan 15, 2020

Aline Kutan to Star in Orchestra Classique de Montréal’s ‘An Afternoon in Vienna’

(Image Provided by Alain Labonté Communications) The Orchestre Classique de Montréal will present “An Afternoon in Vienna” on Feb. 16, 2020. The concert, which will take place at the Victoria Hall in Westmount, will feature soprano Aline Kutan and maestro Boris Brott in a wide range of music. Among the pieces on the program will be “Mein Herr Marquis” from {…}

Jan 15, 2020

‘Tosca’ Highlights Glow Lyric Theatre’s 2020 Festival

The Glow Lyric Theatre has announced its 2020 festival season, which will be the company’s tenth overall. As per usual, the GLT will feature an opera, a musical theatre piece, and an operetta, all connecting to a specific theme. In recent years, the company has showcased such operas as “Romeo et Juliette,” “Fidelio,” “Carmen,” and “The Crucible,” among others. This {…}

Jan 15, 2020

OPERA America To Host Panel Discussion With The Librettist Initiative

The Librettist Initiative will appear at OPERA America as part of the New Works Forum on Jan. 16, 2020 in an effort to spread word on its purpose. The group will hold a panel discussion and Q & A with Lynn Nottage, Stephen Schwartz, and Jeanine Tesori and will also feature the premiere of a short film created by librettists Mark Campbell {…}

Jan 15, 2020

Artist Profile: Albert Niemann, One of Wagner’s Preferred Tenors

Albert Neimann was born on Jan. 15, 1831 in Erxleben, and would go on to become one of Germany’s greatest tenors. He lost his father at an early age and was raised by his mother. Initially he was trained to be an engine-maker but ran away to Dresden to create his own life, eventually becoming a singer. His debut came {…}

Jan 15, 2020

Hup! Productions Set to Present ‘For the Love of Friends’ in NYC

Director Cara Consilvio and Hup! Productions are set to present “For the Love of Friends” at the West End Theatre at Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew in New York on Jan. 24, 25, and 26. The work tells the story of Brent Nicholson Earle who began the American Run for the End of AIDS, a 9,000-mile run around {…}

Jan 15, 2020

Canada’s Royal Conservatory Names New 2020 Honorary Fellows

(Credit: The Royal Conservatory of Music) Internationally acclaimed conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, philanthropists James and Louise Temerty, and musician Chilly Gonzales have been named Honorary Fellows of Canada’s The Royal Conservatory of Music for 2020, according to the statement by the institution. “The Honorary Fellow is The Royal Conservatory’s highest designation and is awarded to those who have had a profound {…}

Jan 14, 2020

Metropolitan Opera Announces ‘Breaking The Waves’ At BAM in 2020

(Credit: Marylene Mey) The Metropolitan Opera and Brooklyn Academy of Music have announced a collaboration to present Missy Mazzoli’s “Breaking the Waves.” The opera will be performed starting on June 23- 30, 2020 with Sydney Mancasola as Bess McNeill, Wallis Giunta as Dodo, and Duncan Rock as Jan. The Metropolitan Opera announced that Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct the opera with {…}

Jan 14, 2020

Royal Opera House Announces Cast Change For ‘La Traviata’

The Royal Opera House has announced that Jonathan Tetelman and Charles Castronovo will replace Rame Lahaj in the company’s production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” on Jan. 22, 25, 30 and Feb. 1, 2020. Tetelman will make his house debut during the Jan. 22 showcase and will also appear on the 30th of January and on Feb. 1. Castronovo will sing {…}

Jan 14, 2020

Ruzan Mantashyan’s Representation Addresses Semperoper Ball Controversy

(Source: Ruzan Mantashyan Official Website) Ruzan Mantashyan’s representation has issued a statement regarding the soprano’s involvement or lack of involvement in the Semperoper Ball. Initial reports stated that she had been fired because tenor Yusif Eyvazov would not perform alongside her due to her Armenian nationality. The Operball then issued a statement stating that the soprano had never been contracted. {…}

Jan 14, 2020

Opéra de Paris Cancels Second Performance of ‘Il Barbiere di Siviglia’

(Credit: Opéra de Paris) Opéra National de Paris has canceled the second performance of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” due to the national strike against the French government’s pension reform. The company announced that it was forced to cancel the performance after the strike notice came into effect. According to the statement, “given the right of employees to declare industrial action {…}