Quebec-native Marie-Nicole Lemieux, C.M., C.Q., is one of the highest-rated contraltos in the world, performing regularly at Covent Garden, Theater an der Wien, Barcelona’s Liceu, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, and singing alongside such luminaries as Anna Netrebko and Plácido Domingo. Name a world-class orchestra or maestro, and Lemieux has more than likely worked with them at some point in her {…}
Readers looking for a thought-provoking, feel-good book about the powers of arts education and music’s spiritual force: look no further than “The Spirit of This Place: How Music Illuminates the Human Spirit (The University of Chicago Press).” Written by Houston Grand Opera Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers, a self-professed lover of writing, the book is a collection of 36 {…}
Christa Ludwig is one of the German mezzo-sopranos of all time. Born on March 16, 1928 in Berlin, Ludwig had music all around her from a young age. Her father was a tenor and her mother was a mezzo who was performing under Herbert Von Karajan at the Aachen Opera; she proved to be the young Christa’s first voice teacher. {…}
Enrico Tamberlick was one of the great tenors of the 19th century. Born on March 16, 1820 in Rome, he was reportedly of Romanian descent and his name might have been Nikita Torna. He did study in Italy, first in Naples, the Bologna, and finally in Milan. He made his debut in 1837 in a concert performance before appearing in {…}
Mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza is one of Spain’s great treasures. Born on March 16, 1935, Berganza studied piano and voice at the Madrid Conservatory. She was awarded the first prize for singing in 1954 and subsequently debuted a year later. In 1957, Berganza made her opera debut at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in “Così Fan Tutte.” Also in 1957, the mezzo made {…}
Most of the operatic classics have been constructed on recurring archetypes. Oftentimes, these tropes are thematic. Nobility, magic, love, lust, vengeance. You know them, even if you aren’t always aware of them. But oftentimes they are also emphasized through specific musical structures. The tenor is often the hero and the lower-voiced character is more sinister. Or, there is always a {…}
Among Massenet’s most enduring works is “Thaïs,” an exploration of two souls moving in completely opposite spiritual states. The opera had its world premiere on March 16, 1984, with American soprano Sibyl Sanderson in the title role. The work was later revised and premiered on April 13, 1898. The opera has endured for a number of reasons. First off, many {…}
Opera Southwest has had to change the location for its upcoming production of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” due to a flood and fire. However, the company also launched a campaign to assemble funds to help overcome other production difficulties resulting from the fire and flood. Per the company’s campaign the damage done will affect the organization in the long run. “I believe {…}
The Pittsburgh Opera and Carnegie Mellon University will present “Co-Opera” this April. In the program, which started back in 2015, the Pittsburgh Opera works with the CMU School of Music, School of Drama, and Master of Arts Management Program to create new works. The collaboration has taken place over a two-year span and will feature two performances on April 13 {…}
The finalists for Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition have been announced. Among the finalists are five sopranos – Xiaotong Cao, Hanna Friesen, Sasha Gutiérrez, Hyeree Shin, and Kelly Singer. There are also two mezzo-sopranos, including Sae Lin Kim and Polixeni Tziouvaras. The lone male finalist is baritone Daniel Rich. All were selected through a preliminary audition after being {…}
Opera North is set to showcase Verdi’s “Aida” starting on May 1, 2019. The production will take place at the Leeds Town Hall for five total performances on May 1, 8, 10, 28, and 30. Additionally, the company will tour the U.K. with additional performances of the Verdi classic. On May 15, the company will showcase the work in Nottingham, {…}