Opera America Announces Major Grants To Support Operas by Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera Lyric Opera of Chicago & Others

Opera America has announced that it has awarded $220,000 to develop new American operas with seven different companies. The recipients of the grants include The American Opera Project and Seagle Music Colony, Beth Morrison Projects, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Diego Opera, and The Dallas Opera. The American Opera Project and Seagle Music Colony are working together {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Joyce El-Khoury To Make Staatsoper Stuttgart Debut

(Credit: Fay Fox) The Staatsoper Stuttgart has announced a cast change for Gluck’s “Iphigénie en Tauride” as soprano Joyce El-Khoury will take over the title role. El-Khoury will make her house debut as well her role debut in the upcoming run of Gluck’s opera. She recently sang at the Canadian Opera Company and at the Royal Albert Hall. She is {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Simone Young Named Chief Conductor Of Sydney Symphony Orchestra

(Credit: (c)Jay Patel) The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has announced that Simone Young will be the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor from 2022. Following a worldwide search, the orchestra announced that in 12 months prior to her taking up the role, Young will be the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor Designate. The conductor noted in a press release, “I am thrilled to take up this {…}

Dec 13, 2019

‘dwb (driving while black)’ Set for New York Premiere

(Credit: Michelle Tabnick) The Baruch Performing Arts Center is set to showcase the New York premiere of the chamber opera “dwb (driving while black)” on March 19-21, 2020. The opera, which features music by Susan Kander and a libretto by soprano Roberta Gumbel, who also takes on the lead role. It will be directed by Chip Miller and also features {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Piero Pretti Replaces Vittorio Grigolo At The Metropolitan Opera

After weeks maintaining the mysterious TBA in its cast list for its upcoming performances of “La Traviata,” the Metropolitan Opera has announced Vittorio Grigolo’s replacement. And the man to take on the role will be Italian tenor Piero Pretti, who Met audiences are just getting to know. Pretti made his Metropolitan Opera debut this season in a revival of “Madama {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Anthony Roth Costanzo to Star in ‘Aci, Galatea e Polifemo’ In San Francisco

(Credit: Jill Steinberg) Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo is set to star in the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale’s performances of “Aci, Galatea e Polifemo” at San Francisco on Jan. 22, 2020. The run of the show, which will feature eight total performances, is set to conclude on Feb. 1, 2020. In addition to Costanzo, this production of the Handel opera {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Vienna State Opera Announces New Queen of the Night for Final Two ‘Zauberflöte’ Performances

Soprano Aleksandra Jovanović will no longer be appearing in the two remaining performances of “The Magic Flute” at the Wiener Staatsoper scheduled for December 13 and December 15, according to the company’s official website. She will be replaced by soprano Federica Guida, making her Wiener Staatsoper House role debut. Guida has recently performed “Mettici il Quore” at the Teatro Coccia, {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Camila Nylund, Joélle Harvey & ‘Amahl’ Among Top Operas To See This Weekend – North America

As we move closer and closer toward the end of 2019, the amount of operas on offer also diminish. Of course, there is one opera that makes it on this list every weekend from here on out. You know the drill. Enjoy! Der Rosenkavalier – Metropolitan Opera Camila Nylund, Magdalena Kožená, and Golda Schultz will star in the Robert Carsen {…}

Dec 13, 2019

Piotr Beczala, Ermonela Jaho & Carmela Remigio Highlight Top 6 International Weekend (12/15-18)

(Credit: Moritz Schell Fotografie/Catherine Ashmore/Yasuko Kageyama / TOR) Three rarely performed works highlight the international weekend with three other repertory staples. There are also two new productions opening with one company premiere. Here is a look at what we recommend. Halka – Theater an der Wien, Austria Łukasz Borowicz conducts a new production of Moniuszko’s masterpiece. Mariusz Treliński directs the {…}

Dec 12, 2019

Teatro Dell’Opera Di Roma Announces Cast Change For ‘Turandot’

The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Turandot.” The company announced that Ewa Vesin will replace Amber Wagner in the title role. Vesin recently sang “The Fiery Angel” at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and Polish National Opera, “Die tote Stadt,”and “Turandot”at the Opera Podlaska, “Tosca” at Opera en Plein Air. This {…}

Dec 12, 2019

Argentina Sees 35 Percent Increase in Operatic Activity in 2019, Per Ópera en Argentina

Argentina saw an increase in operatic activity in 2019, according to Opera en Argentina. The publication unveiled major information on the country’s activity in the world of opera, including the fact that 61 percent of all performances in the country were driven by independent companies. In total there were 426 performances of staged operas or staged concerts, a 35 percent {…}