“If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it.” So said former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson once upon a time. The {…}
The Vienna State Opera’s live streaming series makes its next appearance on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, with a performance of Richard Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier.” The revival of Otto Schenk’s production will be conducted by Adam Fischer with a cast that features Stephanie Houtzeel as Octavian, Erin Morley as Sophie, and Krassimira Stoyanova as the Marschallin. The stream kicks off at 6:30 {…}
Is it possible to create something risqué yet non-controversial at the same time? Something that tackles sexually-charged topics such as the LGBTQ community, dominatrices, couple swapping and the role of artificial intelligence in relationships? Can all of this be depicted in a way that isn’t preachy or pejorative in these polarizing times? Nobody probably asked themselves these questions but if {…}
The new Irish National Opera company has named Fergus Sheil its artistic director. Conductor and opera producer Sheil was formerly artistic director of Wide Open Opera and Opera Theatre. He will be joined by executive director, Diego Fasciati, who has worked with Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre Company, the Arts Council and Rough Magic Theatre Company. The new company was {…}
The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence has announced its 70th anniversary season. This season the company will present six full-scale opera productions with a number of international artists from July 4 to July 24, 2018. Among those productions are two new world premieres. The first “Orfeo & Majnun,” which opens on June 24. The opera will be sung in English, French, and Arabic by {…}
Central City Opera has announced the election of four new members of the board of directors. General and Artistic Director Pelham Pearce said in a statement, “It will be an honor to work with such an esteemed group of leaders, as these individuals are a testament to Central City Opera’s strong impact on the community. I look forward to working with each one of {…}
The Vienna State Opera’s live streaming series continues on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, with a performance of Alban Berg’s “Lulu.” The new production, directed by Willy Decker, will be conducted by Ingo Metzmacher and features a cast that includes Agneta Eichenholz in the title role, Angela Denoke, Bo Skovhus, Herbert Lippert, and Franz Grundheber. The stream kicks off at 6:30 p.m. {…}
Every year the Richard Tucker Foundation awards a promising young American opera singer with the annual Richard Tucker Award. The award comes with a star-studded gala that showcases the victorious artist alongside some of the greatest singers in the world, many of which are also previous winners. This year Nadine Sierra was given the award and headlined the gala at {…}
Diana Damrau has canceled the final two performances of “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Bayerische Staatsoper. The company announced via Twitter that Damrau would not be able to sing the final two performances on Dec. 12 and 15 due to illness. As a result, Olga Pudova will take over the run. Pudova has been acclaimed as one of the promising coloratura {…}
Hector Berlioz has always stood as a controversial figure in the world of classical music. Born on Dec. 11, 1803, his legacy has been one of confusion for many artists. On one hand, he is seen as an incredible genius, whose music is among the richest ever written, his orchestration revolutionary. Others find his music ambiguous in quality, with only {…}