August 28, 1850 was the world premiere of Wagner’s “Lohengrin,” an opera that would catapult the master to his next phase. “Lohengrin,” for many, is his most Italian work, notable for how the famed composer utilizes differing structures from Italian opera and molds them to his musical and artistic means. The opera has a fascinating performance history, which is what {…}
Regina Opera Company will showcase a free concert at Sunset Park in Brooklyn on Sept. 15, 2019. The one-hour concert is free to all attendees and will feature soprano Jennifer Gliere, mezzo-soprano Maayan Voss de Bettancourt, tenor Paolo Buffagni, baritone Rockower, and pianist Maxine Feldman. The ensemble will perform music from opera and Broadway. Voss De Bettancourt previously performed with {…}
The Vienna State Opera has made a statement regarding Plácido Domingo’s future with the company. The company revealed that it will maintain its relationship with the famed singer and that his performances planned for October 2019 and June 2020 will take place. The company noted that it did not see any “legally tenable reason” to not fulfill its existing contracts {…}
There won’t be a ton of opera during Labor Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean that opera lovers can’t get their fix one way or another. So this weekend’s recommendations will buck the trend a bit with the recommendations. Opera Night – Fellini’s Café Every Monday night, the Fellini’s Café puts on its opera night with restaurant goers getting a {…}
The Manhattan School of Music has announced its fall 2019 performance season which will feature a number of orchestral, musical theater, and opera showcases. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the vocal and operatic performances. The first major vocal showcase will be Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street.” The production {…}
(Credit: Royal Swedish Opera / SF- © Silvia Lelli/Teatro Municipal de Santiago) This weekend is filled with a number of classic works from the baroque era and classical period. There is also a highly anticipated Ring Cycle and the return of a one of the most celebrated singers of our time. Here is a look at what we recommend for the {…}
The 2019-20 season is about to start with numerous new productions, revivals and world premieres. Like we did with the International houses, OperaWire has selected the 10 Must-See productions that you cannot miss this fall at the North American companies. 10. Frida – Atlanta Opera, Georgia Jorge Parodi conducts the popular work by Robert Xavier Rodriguez with Catalina Cuervo, who brings {…}
(Credit Nick Tucker) Adam Smith is set to sing the title role in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” in the Opera de Bordeaux’s production. The company announced that due to health reasons, Eric Cutler had to withdraw from the production. As a result, Smith will replace him. The production will mark Smith’s debut with the company. The 2018-19 season saw the rising {…}
For any fans who still believe classical music is confined to opulent concert halls, only to be enjoyed by the pillars of society, meet The Knights. Founded by brothers Colin and Eric Jacobsen, this adventurous 40-member chamber orchestra performs everything from Beethoven to Jimi Hendrix. Born into a musical family, with a father who played in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, {…}
Composer Felix Jarrar has announced that his new opera “Mother Goose” will have its world premiere on Nov. 21, 2019 at Dixon Place in New York City. The opera will be directed by Bea Goodwin, who collaborated with Jarrar on “Tabula Rasa” and “A Christmas Carol” as librettist and director. The opera will star Allison Gish the title role alongside {…}
Madison Lyric Stage in Connecticut will present an immersive production of Humperdinck’s fairytale opera “Hansel and Gretel” this October. Allison Lindsay will star as Hansel alongside Sarah Himmelstein as Gretel. They will be joined by Carly Henderson as Mother, Jacob Boergesson as Father, Jessics Rost as the Dew Fairy, Felicia Baker as the Sandman, dancer Sarah Kennedy as the Angel, {…}