Editorial: Repertory Stagnation, Star Power & What We Can Learn About the Opera Industry From Rolex Ambassadors Gala

A prestigious showcase of the opera world , the Rolex Ambassadors Gala, took place at La Scala earlier this month. Big names and outstanding performances. A unique opportunity to see the stars of the opera world together: Juan Diego Flórez, Jonas Kaufmann, Sonya Yoncheva, Yuja Wang, Plácido Domingo and Gustavo Dudamel conduct Wiener Philharmoniker. But today, I’m not going to review {…}

Jul 24, 2019

Opéra National de Paris Has Found Stéphane Lissner’s Successor

Alexander Neef will be the Opéra National de Paris’ next director. The announcement was made official on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 after weeks of speculation that this would in fact be the case. According to Le Figaro, the 18-month search for Stéphane Lissner’s successor has come to an end with the current General Manager of the Canadian Opera Company set {…}

Jul 24, 2019

New York Festival of Song Unveils 2019-20 Season

The New York Festival of Song has announced its 2019-20 season which will feature four concerts between October 2019 and March 2020. “NYFOS’ fall season packs a lot into a few months: the profound elegance of Shakespeare, the fire of Kurt Weill and Marc Blitzstein, and the flamboyant swing of Harlem’s gay subculture,” stated Steven Blier, the organization’s Artistic Director {…}

Jul 24, 2019

Little Opera Announces New Partnership

Little Opera has announced that it will be bringing youth arts programming to the Grace Cathedral starting this fall. Per a press release, the company, which is based in San Francisco, will offer students grades K-8 the opportunity to go to the Grace Cathedral after school to write and perform their own original opera. This new partnership will kick off {…}

Jul 24, 2019

Jonas Kaufmann Headlines Opera Australia’s ‘Andrea Chenier’

Jonas Kaufmann makes a return to Opera Australia in the title role of Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier” at the Sydney Opera House. The tenor will take on two performances with internationally celebrated singers Eva-Maria Westbroek and Ludovic Tézier, both making their Opera Australia debuts. Pinchas Steinberg conducts the concert performances. Opera Australia director Lyndon Terracini said in a press release, “’Andrea Chénier’ is a fantastic {…}

Jul 23, 2019

Melody Moore & Carmela Remigio Showcase New CD/DVD Releases – July 22

Three new releases will be seen this week featuring some rarely performed works. La Donna Serpente Piero Pretti, Carmela Remigio, Erika Grimaldi, Francesca Sassu, Anna Maria Chiuri, and Roberto de Candia star in a Alfredo Casella’s opera conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Naxos releases the production from the Teatro Regio di Torino. Eduardo e Cristina Naxos releases the rarely performed Rossini {…}

Jul 23, 2019

Plácido Domingo Announces Operalia Competition 2019 Finalists, With A Twist

The Operalia Competition has revealed the 12 finalists who will be competing for its top prize on Friday, July 26, 2019. The 12 finalists included Felicia Moore, Gihoon Kim, Christina Nilsson, Piotr Buszewski, Xabier Anduaga, Bongani Justice Kubheka, Liv Redpath, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Anna Shapovalova, Maria Kataeva, Adriana Gonzalez, and Mario Bahg. While making the announcement, legendary singer Plácido Domingo noted {…}

Jul 23, 2019

Watch Des Moines Metro Opera’s ‘Bon Appétit’ Live Stream

The Des Moines Metro Opera recently presented “Bon Appétit,” but those who missed on the July , 18, 19 and 21 performance can still check out the unique work via a couple of streaming options. The Iowa Public Television presented an exclusive live stream of the opera by Lee Hoiby, which can be viewed below. The live stream took place {…}

Jul 23, 2019

Tenor Jesus Garcia To Present ‘Manifest Destiny By Jesus G’

Tenor Jesus Garcia will present his song cycle “Manifest Destiny by Jesus G” during Philadelphia’s Fringe Festival this September. According to the press release, Garcia will “explore the juxtaposition of [his] Catholic upbringing, his Native-American ancestry, and his sexuality” through his alter-ego, Jesus G. He aims to “to challenge the abuse of power, and honor the soul’s journey, from its trials {…}

Jul 23, 2019

Mostly Mozart Festival Music Director Louis Langrée’s Contract Extended

(credit A. J. Waltz) Ehrenkranz Artistic Director Jane Moss made the announcement on Jul. 16, 2019 that Lincoln Center has extended Renée and Robert Belfer Music Director Louis Langrée’s contract through 2023. Langrée stepped up as Music Director of the Mostly Mozart Festival in 2003. He made his Mostly Mozart debut five year earlier, conducting the orchestra for the first {…}

Jul 23, 2019

Stephanie Blythe To Perform At Fringe Festival Pop-Up Cabaret Bar

The Bearded Ladies Cabaret will join together with FringeArts and Opera Philadelphia during Fringe Fest to present “Late Night Snacks,” a series of nightly performances held at a pop-up cabaret bar. The industrial space at 1316 S. Percy St. will be converted into “a speakeasy like none other,” according to the press release. Bartenders from Sassafras and The Tin Angel will {…}