On Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, soprano Elizabeth Blanke-Biggs issued a statement addressing her firing from the Maryland Lyric Opera’s upcoming production of “La Fanciulla del West.” The soprano noted that the situation revolved around great emotional abuse from the part of major leaders within the production. “They appear to believe they can act with impunity, therefore I am constrained to {…}
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! “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 features {…}
Bulgaria bass Nicolai Ghiaurov was one of the world’s finest singers throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Born on Sept. 13, 1929, in Velingrad, his childhood featured musical studies in violin, piano, and the clarinet. He would go to study at the Bulgarian State Conservatory and later the Moscow Conservatory. His vocal career got off to a tremendous {…}
On September 12, 2018, Saimir Pirgu will make his debut as Don José in “Carmen” at Bangkok’s 20th International Festival of Dance and Music in a Daniele Finzi Pasca production revived by Paolo Vettori. The production will also include the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro San Carlo of Naples, conducted by Maestro Zubin Mehta, and will also showcase Veronica {…}
Aida Garifullina has announced the release of her first cookbook. The Russian soprano announced via social media that her new book will only be available in Russian but she stated that she hopes it will be out in multiple languages in the future. In addition to her opera career, her social media pages have featured her passion for the culinary {…}
The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions are adding a new country to its audition process. Executive director Melissa Wegner announced that Mexico will become part of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions firmament joining the United States and Canada. In a press statement, Wegner stated, “We are proud to include Mexico in the National Council Auditions. Our program now reflects {…}
Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs has been fired from the Maryland Lyric Opera’s concert performances of “La Fanciulla del West.” The soprano announced the news via social media noting that she was not advised by the company that she would no longer be singing the performance. She said, “I am sad and disappointed to advise my friends, colleagues, and fans, that I will {…}
On October 26, 2018, Bright Shiny Things will release “Your Clear Eye,” a new recording of songs by the multi-award-winning composer Ricky Ian Gordon performed by the soprano Jennifer Zetlan in her solo album debut. The new recording will see Zetlan accompanied by the composer and will feature the world premiere recordings of Antarctica (Harper’s Act three Monologue) and Night Flight {…}
South African bass-baritone George Stevens has died at the age of 51. The bass-baritone was undergoing surgery, which caused his death. An acting director of the Opera School at the University of Cape Town, the bass-baritone became principal baritone at Staatstheater Bremen in Germany from 1998 to 2006 and won the Kurt-Hübner Prize for “most convincing singer and actor with {…}
Mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos was once hailed as “one of the defining singers of her generation.” Born on Sept. 12, 1938, Troyanos’ childhood was fraught with challenges. Her parents were ill-fit for parenthood and the young Troyanos lived at the Brooklyn Home For Children for a decade. She started her musical education there and eventually continued at the Brooklyn Music School. {…}
The 2018-19 season is about to start with numerous new productions, revivals and world premieres. With a ton of selections to be sure in many of the world’s greatest houses, we whittled it down to the 10 Must-See productions operas that you cannot miss this fall. Medée – Berlin State Opera Sonya Yoncheva takes on her 50th role in Cherubini’s rarely {…}
