The trailer for Ron Howard’s upcoming “Pavarotti” film has been unveiled. The two-minute trailer kicks off with the tenor himself providing some background on his beginnings and paying it all off with a nice joke. Throughout the trailer, you hear reactions and interviews from a number of different people, including Plácido Domingo, Joseph Volpe, Jose Carreras, Angela Gheorghiu, and others. {…}
The New York Opera Alliance will honor Ira Siff during its kickoff for the 2019 New York Opera Festival on April 29, 2019. Siff has bee a major personage in the opera world throughout the past few decades. In addition to being an insightful commentator of the Met Opera’s Saturday afternoon broadcasts, he has worked as a performer, director, teacher, {…}
Legendary voice teacher Anthony Frisell has died. The voice teacher died on Feb. 27 and will be remembered for for his contributions to the opera community, particularly his acclaimed book series. Born in New Orleans to Italian parents, the voice teacher went on to direct operas with Dorothy Kirsten, Zinka Milanov, Mario Del Monaco, Leonard Warren, Victoria de los Angeles and {…}
The 14th annual OPERA NEWS Awards were held on April 7, 2019, with a star-studded gala that honored five major figures of the opera world. The evening began with a cocktail hour before guests and honorees were brought to the main hall of the Plaza Hall to get the ceremony underway. OPERA NEWS editor F. Paul Driscoll kicked off the proceedings by {…}
Kirkpatrick & Kinslow Productions have announced it is green-lighting a cutting edge, timely documentary entitled “Lucia’s Voice (Working Title).” The new film center on internationally renowned opera star Lucia Lucas will perform the title role in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the Tulsa Opera in May. Lucas is set to be the first baritone transgender woman performing a lead role in {…}
The Howard Gilman Foundation has announced that On Site Opera will receive a $20,000 award. The new award will support On Site Opera’s general operations and 2019 production season of site-specific opera. “On Site Opera has distinguished itself with its unique brand of site-specific work. Their artistic model has innovated the field of opera and increased opera’s accessibility to new {…}
American bass-baritone and beloved Opera Australia vocal coach Joshua Hecht passed away on Mar. 29, 2019 at the age of 91. Hecht was born in New York City in 1928, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants. A protégé of soprano Rosa Ponselle, he received a Bachelor of Arts from New York University and proceeded to perform with over 50 opera {…}
On Friday, April 5, 2019, Bare Opera kicked off their production of Astor Piazzolla’s “Maria de Buenos Aires.” Staged in The Bellewether of New York City, the venue, along with director Malena Dayen’s approach, supported by strong choreography from Troy Ogilvie, resulted in an immersive musical experience. The striking and surreal events of Maria’s dramatic journey are conveyed through movement {…}
Puccini was known for his tragic operas and melodic genius as well as his exploration of musical landscapes. And then “Gianni Schicchi” came along, showing the composer’s ability to expand beyond drama with one of the most important comedies in the repertoire. The title role became synonymous with numerous baritones as it gave them the ability to explore their versatility {…}
Handel’s “Il Trionfo Del Tempo E Del Disinganno” is one of his most unique works as it is his only oratorio and one that in the past years has gained increased recognition. What’s more, this work was written by the composer when he was but 21. Now, for the first time, the work will be presented at the Royal Danish {…}
OperaVision will present the Irish National Opera’s production of “Orfeo ed Euridice” on April 12, 2019. The production will feature Sharon Carty, Sarah Power, and Emma Nash under the direction of Emma Martin. Peter Whelan conducts. The stream kicks off at 7 p.m. local time. That’s around 2 p.m. EDT and 11 a.m. PST for the start time. It will {…}