While the summer is in full swing, there aren’t all that many companies in production at the present moment. That said, there are still a plethora of solid offerings. Here’s a look at our top picks, in alphabetical order by company. Rocking Horse Winner / Vinkensport or The Finch Opera – Opera Saratoga This unique double bill features music by {…}
When Dorothy arrived in Oz, she made the memorable comment “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.” Mega diva Joyce DiDonato’s first glimpse of the superb 6th century church of Aya Irini in the gardens of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul may well have elicited the same response. The operatic career of the former Joyce Flaherty from Prairie {…}
Barbara Lynne Jamison has been appointed the new general director of the Kentucky Opera. The board of directors announced that Jamison will be the sixth general director in the company’s 67-year history. She comes from the Seattle Opera, where she is the director of programs and partnerships and a member of the senior management team. Henry Kuehn, president of the {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment is the Oscar–winning “La {…}
Baritone Thomas Hampson is one of the most intellectually-inspiring artists in the opera world. Born on June 28, 1955, the baritone is one of the most thoughtful and insightful people in the business. Just listen to an interview (see below). The Indiana native sang as a child and studied at the Eastern Washington State College, majoring in political science and {…}
The American Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2018-19 season at Carnegie Hall. The upcoming series of performances will feature a number of operatic and vocal works, which will be the focus of this article. The season kicks off with “A Walt Whitman Sampler,” which includes the US premiere of Otham Schoeck’s “Tommelschläge,” the New York premiere of Kurt Weill’s “Four {…}
Britten’s War Requiem was written between 1961-1962, ostensibly in response to WW I, in the aftermath of WW II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and all the many others. On June 25, 2018, at the Philharmonie, the Staatskapelle Berlin, conducted by Sir Anthony Pappano and accompanied by stellar opera singers and choruses, sang out against all war, then and {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced its 2018-19 season featuring numerous new productions and a number of up and coming singers. New Productions The season opens with a new production of Verdi’s beloved “Rigoletto.” Daniele Gatti conducts the new production by Daniele Abbado. Ismael Jordi, Roberto Frontali, Lisette Oropesa, Riccardo Zanellato and Alisa Kolosova lead the illustrious cast of performers. Performance Dates: Dec. 2-18, 2018 Maria Agresta {…}
Doris Soffel has pulled out of Barber’s “Vanessa” at Glyndebourne. Soffel, who was expected to portray the old Baroness, will be replaced by Rosalind Plowright, who was last heard singing in the Glyndebourne chorus in 1977. Plowright is set to give 3 masterclasses at the Prague Summer Nights Festival and next season will return to the Royal Opera house for La Contessa di {…}
Pretty Yende as made the InStyle Magazine’s The Badass 50. The list was launched to celebrate those who are brave, brilliant, and, most importantly, consistent. This year’s list is the first time in what InStyle hopes to be consistent and which will honor spectacular women. Yende noted in a quote for the magazine, “I never thought anyone who looked like me {…}
As the Metropolitan Opera company’s Summer Recital Series rolls on, the artists and crew took to Williamsbridge Oval Park in the Bronx for an afternoon of arias, duets, and a trio from some of opera’s most cherished composers. Kicking things off was tenor Gerard Schneider, singing “Questa o quella” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” This amorous aria made for a spirited opening, {…}
