Elza van den Heever will not perform the final “Norma” at the Dallas Opera. In her stead soprano Aviva Fortunata will take on the lead role for the performance on Sunday, May 7, 2017. Fortunata performed the role of the priestess this past fall at the Canadian Opera Company. The Calgary native was a finalist in the 2016 Operalia Competition {…}
This summer, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s in New York City will begin the first of what will be an annual summer event. The Chamber Music Festival, to be held this June and every June hereafter, will highlight a single composer. “Facets of Schubert” kicks-off the new tradition with three different performances throughout the month, where the organization will explore {…}
The Crypt Sessions Season 2 continues on May 31, 2017, with a preview of “Elizabeth Cree.” The new work was composed by the Pulitzer Prize-winning team of composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell and is slated to have its world premiere Sept. 14, 2017, as part of Opera Philadelphia’s inaugural fall festival. Puts will accompany mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, who will create the title role {…}
German soprano Agnes Giebel has passed away. The soprano’s family announced that Giebel had died on on April 24 at the age of 95. Born in Heerlen, Netherlands, she studied at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen. Her career began in 1947 and quickly became a fixture with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Otto Klemperer and the Leipzig Thomanerchor with Günter Ramin. {…}
The Metropolitan Opera celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday with a massive gala featuring the greatest stars in opera. The company, which moved to Lincoln Center in 1966, is among the most renowned opera institutions in the world, a place where the greatest of all singers commune on one of the biggest stages in one of the biggest theaters. A few {…}
New York City Opera first became famous for the re-discovery of forgotten works in 1966 when Beverly Sills sang in “Giulio Cesare,” even though the opera was not performed in its original format. However, City Opera can be given credit for re-starting the Baroque Revival that is still going on today. In its new incarnation, the company continues its tradition {…}
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie has announced its 2017-18 season with a number of classics and rarities being performed. The season opens with Puccini’s ‘Manon Lescaut” starring Anna Pirozzi and Marcello Giordani. Speranza Scapucci conducts all five performances starting on Sept. 19, 2017. Patrizia Ciofi, Silvia Dalla Benetta, and Gregory Kunde star in Bellini’s “Norma” from Oct. 19 to Nov. {…}
The Highbury Opera Theatre has commissioned Nick Hornby’s legendary soccer/football novel “Fever Pitch.” Marking the novel’s 25 anniversary, this opera will be the first ever musical adaptation of the work. The opera will be composed by Scott Stroman (HOT’s Artistic Director) and written by librettist Tamsin Collison. Both have reimagined it as a comedy/drama featuring a cast of five professional actors {…}
The Music Academy of the West will celebrate its 70th Anniversary with a full slate of performances and masterclasses. For its sole operatic production, the company will present Donizetti’s “L’Elisir D’Amore.” The opera will be helmed by world-renowned conductor and Academy alumna Speranza Scappucci in collaboration with Los Angeles-based director James Darrah, known for creating “once-in-a-lifetime experiences.” Overseen by Voice Program {…}
For years Meyerbeer’s music has been ignored or gone into obscurity. In recent years, some of his operas have been able to make resurgences thanks in part to star singers. But even so, the composer, one of the most famous of his time, remains an obscurity in the modern opera world. Now Diana Damrau is finally paying homage to a {…}
It’s yet another packed weekend filled with great stars at the some of the world’s greatest stages. Here are some audiences should check out. Austria Jonas Kaufmann and Angela Gheorghiu reunite for Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Vienna State Opera on Friday. Christopher Maltman takes on the title of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with Pavol Breslik rounding out the cast. Czech Republic At {…}