Geraldine Farrar was the Met Opera’s leading lady at the start of the 20th century. Born on Feb. 28, 1882, she was born in Massachusetts and began studying music at age five. By 14, she was already giving recitals and eventually, she went off to New York and then Berlin to study voice. She had a successful debut at the {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment will take a look {…}
Opera Atelier is set to showcase its production of “Idomeneo” starting on April 4 and running through April 13. The production will feature soprano Measha Brueggergosman as Elettra in her return to Toronto after 10 years. She will be joined by Colin Ainsworth in the title role and Wallis Giunta as Idamante. Meghan Lindsey takes on the role of Ilia {…}
Update: Paul Lewis was originally scheduled to perform the Piano Concerto but canceled. The second concert of Orchestra of St. Luke’s 2018-19 Carnegie Hall Series will take place on Feb. 28, 2019. Principal Conductor Bernard Labadie will lead the ensemble. Soprano Ying Fang will be featured, performing the aria “Non temer, amato bene,” K. 490 from the 1786 Vienna version of {…}
The New Camerata Opera is now an official member of Opera America. The company made the announcement via its social media channels, noting that “it is an honor to be part of an organization that furthers the cause of this great art form through the support of the most innovative and engaging opera companies in the country.” New Camerata has {…}
The Harry T. Burleigh Society and the Fisk Jubilee Singers will celebrate the leaders of the concert spiritual tradition during a Carnegie Hall concert on March 2, 2019. A conference exploring the intersection of power, race, and virtuosity in America will follow on March 3. The program will feature composers/singers Ella Sheppard and Harry T. Burleigh, “whose compositions – crossing racial, {…}
Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva has withdrawn from the final three performances of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at Teatro alla Scala on March 12, 14, & 17, 2019, according to the company’s website. Yoncheva will be replaced in the role of Violetta by soprano Angel Blue. Blue has recently sung the role with both the Royal Opera House and Manitoba Opera. Other {…}
Marian Anderson is an iconic figure, noted for how her immense talent and perseverance enabled her to break major barriers. The mezzo-soprano was born on February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia and displayed immense vocal ability as a child. Unfortunately, her family could not afford to pay for formal training. In her early years of life, supportive members of her church congregation {…}
Mirella Freni, born on Feb. 27, 1935, would go on to become one of the renowned Italian sopranos of her generation. Freni’s musical talent was recognized from an early age as she performed “Un bel dì vedremo” on a radio competition. She made her opera debut in her hometown on March 3, 1955 in “Carmen,” taking on the role of {…}
Charlotte “Lotte” Lehmann was one of the great interpreters of the German repertory. Born on February 27, 1888 in Perleberg, she was encouraged by her father to take up a more “practical” career, but she was determined to study singing. After some troubling experiences finding a suitable instructor, she finally found Mathilde Mallinger to teach her. After less than a {…}
“La Forza del Destino” is one of Verdi’s most unusual works. It had its world premiere on Nov. 10, 1862 in St. Petersburg, but the revised version (which is the one largely performed these days) had its premiere on Feb. 27, 1869 in Milan. The opera’s first version is radically different from a narrative standpoint, the ending less hopeful and {…}