Opera Parallèle is set to present Stewart Wallace and Michael Korie’s “Harvey Milk” on May 15-17, 2020 at YBCA in San Francisco. The performance marks the 25th anniversary of the world premiere of the opera, which will be showcased in an all-new version as part of Opera Parallèle’s 10th anniversary. Moreover, the performances will also celebrate the 90th birthday of {…}
(Credit: Uwe Arens) The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is set to present a concert staging of “Elektra” on March 18 and 21, 2020 at Pool and Birmingham. The concert, which will be led by Kirill Karabits, Chief Conductor of the orchestra, will feature British soprano Catherine Foster in the title role. “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been invited by Bournemouth Symphony {…}
(Credit: Rod Millington) Sarasota Opera is set to present Puccini’s “La Bohème” starting on Feb. 8, 2020 as part of its Winter Festival. The 13 performances, which will run through March 21, 2020, will feature Anna Mandina as Mimì, making her role debut. She will be joined by William Davenport as Rodolfo. Filippo Fontana will play the role of Marcello {…}
Pensacola Opera is set to present Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” the final mainstage operatic performance of the 37th season. Verdi’s masterpiece will be shown at the Saenger stage with a cast that includes Mary Evelyn Hangley as Leonora, Adam Diegel as Manrico, Dennis Jesse as Di Luna, and Renée Tatum as Azucena. Verdi’s opera will be directed by John Hoomes with {…}
(Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera) Gustavo Dudamel has extended his contract with the LA Philharmonic. The orchestra announced that the conductor will remain music director with the orchestra until the 2025-26 season. Dudamel originally had a five-year contract, which was first extended through the 2018-19 season, before getting another extension halfway into 2022. In a press release Dudamel stated, {…}
(Credit: Steven Kemp/Johnny Tran/Pat Kirk) Opera San José has announced its 2020-21 season with its new General Director Khori Dastoor leading the company. In a press release Dastoor said, “Our current charge is to elevate the company as a vibrant artistic incubator in the heart of Silicon Valley. In its next chapter, Opera San José is committed to expanding access {…}
OPERA America has announced the recipients of its 2020 National Opera Trustee Recognition Awards, which are given to trustees of opera companies for their strong leadership and generosity. This year, the recipients include Robert Ellis of San Francisco Opera, H. Bernt von Ohlen of Minnesota Opera, Linda Koehn of Des Moines Metro Opera, Phil Meyer of Pacific Opera Project, and {…}
(Credit: Julien Benhamou) Berlioz’s “La Damnation de Faust” returns to the Metropolitan Opera for the first time since 2009. While recognized as one of the great works by its composer, it has not been a fixture at the Met by any stretch of the imagination. While it had its company premiere all the way back in 1896, it has only {…}
International soprano Naděžda Kniplová has died at the age of 87. Born in Ostrava to a musical family, Kniplová began her vocal training from her father and later went on to study under Jarmila Vavrdová at the Prague Conservatory from 1947 to 1953. After conservatory she went on to make her professional opera debut in 1957 at the opera house {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of Donizetti Opera Festival) The Donizetti Opera Festival has announced its 2020 season, which is set to open on Nov. 19 and close on Dec. 6, 2020. The season will open with a concert performance of “Belisario” with Plácido Domingo in the title role. In a press release Domingo, who is celebrating his birthday today, stated, “Dear friends, {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced two cast changes for its Jan. 21, 2020 performance of Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette.” The company announced that due to indisposition Damrau will not perform. As a result, Vannina Santoni will takeover the title role. La Scala also announced that Marina Viotti, who is performing Stephano, will not take part in the performance and {…}