The New York City Opera has announced the postponement of Robert Ward’s “The Crucible.” The company had originally announced the opera for its 2018-19 season but have postponed the work for its 2019-20 season. The company also announced it is currently casting its upcoming world premiere “Stonewall.” The NYCO noted that it is looking for a Transgender singer with a {…}
Two new releases will hit the marketplace this week, including a rarely performed Bel canto gem and Wagner comic masterpiece. Here is a look at what audiences can look forward to. Maria di Rudenz Donizetti’s rarely performed work gets a new recording by Bongiovanni. The new release comes from the Bergamo Festival and stars Maria Billeri, Ivan Magri, and Dario {…}
The New York City Opera has announced the passing of tenor John Lankston at age 84. The tenor made his debut with City Opera in 1966 in the role of Pedrillo and became a huge star with the company. He would go on to perform with the company until the 2000s. Among the many highlights, he had with the company {…}
Few artists have dedicated themselves so extensively to challenging modern music the way Dawn Upshaw has. The soprano, born on July 17, 1960, in Nashville, Tennessee, became the first female to ever be promoted to the top choir as a sophomore at the Richard East High School. After successful years of study, she became a member of the Metropolitan Opera {…}
On Sept. 1, 2018, the Pacific Opera Project will return to the newly renovated Ford Theatre for a fully staged production of Bizet’s “Carmen.” The performance, which will be held for one night only for an audience of 1200, will be directed and designed by Artistic Director Josh Shaw. The opera will be conducted by Music Director Michael Powers, choreographed by Amy {…}
Fort Worth Opera has announced the casts and creative teams for the 2019 Festival season, including the world premiere of composer-librettist Rachel J. Peters’s opera, “Companionship.” Adapted from the short story by author Arthur Phillips, the opera was selected as the 2018 FWOpera Frontiers showcase and will be fully staged at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. It is the first {…}
On July 15, 2018, Aida Garifullina closed the FIFA World Cup. The star soprano charmed audiences with the folk song “Kalinka” alongside former superstar player Ronaldinho and the World Cup mascot Zabivaka. She also appeared at the beginning alongside DJ Smash. The closing ceremony also included Nicky Jam, Will Smith, and Era Istrefi performing the official song “Live it Up.” Garifullina was present {…}
Throughout the past years, Guido Loconsolo has specialized in Mozart’s works singing all three Da Ponte works and performing various roles from each work. He has also performed “La Clemenza di Tito” and has attempted to take on all the Mozart roles wrote for his voice. His repertoire has also been expansive as he has performed numerous Bel canto works, {…}
The Stone Guest, standing at the back of the stage, offers Don Giovanni his hand and demands that he repent for his dissolute life. Staying true to his nature, Don Giovanni refuses and, amid the flames and screams, is dragged down to Hell, bringing the scene to an end. As usual, many in the audience assume the opera has finished. The {…}
Sony Classical has announced the release of Jonas Kaufmann’s Waldebuhne concert. The concert, which was held on July 13, 2018, and later broadcast on ZDF, saw Kaufmann performing a number of Italian songs from his album “Dolce Vita” and also included a special appearance from Anita Rachvelshvili, who performed alongside the tenor. Both performers were accompanied by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. The DVD is {…}
The San Diego Opera announced that the opera “Hansel and Gretel,” originally scheduled for performances in December, has been replaced by performances of “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.” The company announced that it is trying to reschedule “Hansel and Gretel” for a future season. General director David Bennett noted in a press release, “In preparing for our {…}