(Credit: Kyle Dorosz) The Miller Theatre in New York City will present the world premiere of composer Hannah Lash and librettist Cori Ellison’s “Desire” on Oct. 16 and 17, 2019. The opera, which is written for three singers and string quartet takes on themes of personal struggle of trusting oneself in the midst of doubt. This is the second opera {…}
With the development of of opera seria at the beginning of the 18th century, the comedic scenes so typical of 17th century Venetian opera lost their standing; lacking the seriousness and dignity of antiquity they were considered inappropriate to the classical tradition and abandoned. This in turn led to the rise of the intermezzo, a short comedy piece in two {…}
Bay Street Theater and Divaria Productions are joining forces to put on a production of “Othello: The Opera and Play Enmeshed.” The event is set for Saturday, Sept. 14 in New York City. The production is set to to put a spotlight on one of the most famous stories ever written and its unique interpretations across different art forms. Leland {…}
Hibla Gerzmava is set to return to Carnegie Hall for a recital. The acclaimed Russian soprano will return to the concert with pianist Ekaterina Ganelina. The recital is part of a six-month, seven-city world tour with stops in Moscow, St. Petersburg, New York, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, and Toronto with a program that will include art songs by such Russian {…}
(Credit: Kathy Wittman) Boston’s Odyssey Opera has revealed that it will be “crossing the pond to merry old England” for its seventh season, which will feature a plethora of rarely performed Tudor-themed operas by a variety of composers. The company’s Founder and General-Artistic Director, Gil Rose, recently shared some insight with OperaWire on the upcoming season, particularly its exciting opener: a quasi-premiere {…}
(Credit: Cory Weaver / San Francisco Opera) Billy Budd, Foretopman, is the center of the conflict between evil and good, dark and light, vulnerable and powerful in Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece “Billy Budd.” Picking this opera for the second night opening of San Francisco’s 97th season was a masterful choice. Everything – the music, drama, ethical conflict, suspenseful, challenging, rewarding – {…}
The Boston Camerata and bass singer Joel Frederiksen have both announced the passing of tenor Timothy Leigh Evans. According to the Boston Camerata’s and Frederiksen’s websites, the tenor began singing at the age of five as a chorister at the Ecclesfield Parish Church, and eventually earned degrees from Huddersfield School of Music, the Royal Academy, and Trinity College, London. Evans {…}
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has announced that Allison Allen has been appointed the new Chief People Officer. She joined the team on Sept. 3, 2019. The newly-created position will, according to the press release, “lead all human resources functions with a core focus on implementation of LCPA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plan,” as well as “act as {…}
(Credit: Cory Weaver / San Francisco Opera) The San Francisco Opera opened its 97th season with Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliette,” reminding us that music is the food of love and that it spills over all the battles we fight and brings them down. Even though the production was pleasant but not perfect, the evening’s performance brought us into a harmony that {…}
Pittsburgh-based performing arts company Resonance Works has announced details of its seventh season, entitled “Fresh Perspectives – New Traditions.” The season will kick off with the multicultural program “the national anthems,” inspired by David Lang’s work for choir and string quartet. Performances will be held at Heinz Chapel and Charity Randall Theatre, and will be preceded by a “musical prelude {…}
On July 26, 2019, Spanish tenor Xabier Anduaga (along with fellow competitor Adriana Gonzalez) achieved one of opera’s most coveted distinctions as he joined the circle of Operalia 1st Prize winners. The Operalia competition has been transforming talented young singers into stars of the opera scene since 1993, with winners frequently becoming headliners at top venues across the globe. This {…}