The Purchase Opera Company of Purchase College, State University of New York will present “Purchase Opera: Trilogy” in the Recital Hall of The Performing Arts Center. The Conservatory of Music will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Purchase Opera Company under the direction of Jacque Trussel by presenting the first two operas presented by the company in 1999, Puccini’s “Suor {…}
A new documentary exploring the life and career of legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti will hit select theatres on June 7, 2019. The first look at the film debuted during the 61st Grammy Awards. “PAVAROTTI” will feature clips of the singer’s finest performances, as well as never-before-seen footage, giving audiences “a stunningly intimate portrait of the most beloved opera singer of {…}
Soprano Gilda Cruz-Romo is one of the great Mexican opera singers to enjoy an international career. Born on Feb. 12, 1940, Cruz-Romo would study at the Mexico City Conservatory before making her debut at in Mexico City in 1962. Seven years later she appeared at the New York City, which would lead directly to a Met debut a year later. {…}
Italian Franco Zeffirelli is one of the great opera directors of the 20th century. Born on Feb. 12, 1923, in Florence Italy, he lost his mother at age six. He graduated the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze in 1941 and fought during World War II. Once the war ended he resumed his studies. He initially set out to study art {…}
This week, five CDs and DVDs are set for release with three starring major sopranos; the other is an award-winning documentary that became a box office hit. Here is a look at what audiences should expect this week. Mio Caro Handel German soprano Simone Kermes’ new album is dedicated to Handel and features popular arias such as “Ombra mai fu,” “Piangerò {…}
Paata Burchuladze was a famed bass before he became a famed politician. Born on Feb. 12, 1955, in then-Soviet Georgia, he studied music at the Tbilisi Conservatoire and made his student debut in 1976. He would then make his mark at a number of singing competitions and performed a number of roles at the Tbilisi Opera House. From 1978-1981 he {…}
We all know that opera is a very complex art. The plot, music, libretto, directing, singing, acting, stage design — these are just basics. But there are even more layers, which make opera so impressive and breathtaking. With the help of your imagination, you can easily picture this in your mind: richly decorated stage, great singers, large orchestra under Maestro’s {…}
Set in a provincial Russian town close by the Volga River, the basis for Janáček’s “Káťa Kabanová” – Alexander Ostrovsky’s play “The Storm” – invites the color palette of a murky staging; a cerulean hue or olive green to mirror the portentous themes that percolate the sometimes dissonant, sometimes harmonious and sinuously changing score. Unlike many opera settings, the visual {…}
In 2018, Ausrine Stundyte made her role debut as Salome at the Berlin State Opera and immediately became a sensation in the role. Critics said, “Stundyte is a consummate stage animal, and acts her heart out in the part.” Now after a sensational debut and rave reviews, the soprano is taking her acclaimed portrayal to the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. {…}
Gabriella Reyes de Ramirez is the ninth winner of the Hildegard Behrens Foundation Humanitarian Award. The soprano was given the award on Feb. 11, 2019 at the Belmont Room at the Metropolitan Opera. “It is an honor to receive an award from philanthropists who believe in my ability to illuminate people’s lives through opera. Support from foundations like the Hildegard {…}
Opera Parallèle has announced that it will surround the world premiere performances of “Today It Rains,” a new opera based on a pivotal event in the life of American artist Georgia O’Keeffe, with a variety of fun and inspiring public events including artist talks, book signings, food and drink, a special lobby installation, and more. Taking “Georgia and the Rebels” {…}