Opera Omaha and the Nebraska Writers Collective have announced that nine original poems written by local children will be set to music by composers Matt Browne and Frances Pollock. The selected poems include “Earth She Is” by MaKayla Bemly, Grade 7, of Logan Fontenelle Middle School; “Untitled” by Shaye-Maleah Howe, Grade 12, of Beatrice High School; “A Broken Me” by {…}
The Academy of Classical Music has announced that that annual Antonín Dvorák Prize will be given to soprano Gabriela Beňačková for her lifelong service to the legacy of the famed composer. The soprano will be presented with the award at Prague’s Rudolfinum on April 21, 2020 in a gala concert that will feature a recital by Polish tenor Piotr Beczala. {…}
The National Opera Association, the Douglas Moore Fund for American Opera, and Opera Index are joinng forces with The American Opera Project, Encompass New Opera Theatre, Hunter College and Manhattan School of Music to present the launch of the Douglas Moore Song Book and celebrate 20th century Opera Composers. The event will take place throughout March 14, 2020 at Lang {…}
Boston Lyric Opera has announced its 44th Season with four new productions including three company premieres and a Northeast premiere. The season opens with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” starring soprano Yulan Piao in her company and role debut as Cio-Cio San, tenor Zach Borichevsky as Lieutenant Pinkerton, mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen in her company debut as Suzuki, and baritone Levi Hernandez as {…}
The Grange Festival has announced its 2020 season which will feature a number of major operas and even its first fully-stage community opera. The season kicks off with a production of “La Cenerentola” by director Stephen Barlow and conductor David Parry. Josè Maria Lo Monaco takes on the lead role with Nico Darmanin as the prince. Performance Dates: June 5-July 2, 2020 {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2020-21 season with 13 new productions and a number of international stars. Premiere Michael Volle sings the title role in a new production of Mussorgky’s “Boris Godunov” by Barrie Kosky. Lina Dambrauskaité, Irène Friedli, John Daszak, Konstantin Shushakov, Brindley Sherratt, Edgaras Montvidas, Oksana Volkova, Johannes Martin Kränzle, and Wenwei Zhang also star. Kirill Karabits {…}
Plácido Domingo has withdrawn from his upcoming performances at the Royal Opera House in Verdi’s “Don Carlo.” Per a press release, the break was mutual, though the Royal Opera House has stated that there were no claims of misconduct from the famed singer during his time with the company. “Plácido is an outstanding singer and artist and we are hugely {…}
The City Lyric Opera has announced its 2020-21 season, the fifth in the company’s history, which features three mainstage productions. The season kicks off with a #realwomenofopera production previewing Lori Laitman’s “Uncovered.” City Lyric Opera is production the New York City premiere which will take palce in the fall of 2021. Performance Dates: Oct. 9-10, 2020 (Preview) The season will {…}
(credit: Jiyang Chen) Bard College Conservatory Orchestra is set to perform a semi-staged rendition of Strauss’s famed “Salome” on April 3 and 5, 2020. The work, which was written by Lachmann, will be directed by R. B. Schlather with Leon Botstein conducting the Bard Conservatory Orchestra. Melody Moore will headline the production and will be joined by Jay Hunter Morris {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) With the exception of one opera, this weekend’s recommendations are a combination of rare works that are either being heard for the first time or rarely make the stages in the U.S. Rest in Pieces – Bard Conservatory Graduate Vocal Arts Program & The Orchestra Now Curated and directed by famed mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, {…}
The San Francisco Opera Center has announced that Sheri Greenawald is set to retire at the close of 2020. She has been the director of the Opera Center since 2002. Prior to that, she had a career as a soprano for over 30 years, singing leading roles with such companies as the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Venice’s La {…}