Leonard Warren, born on April 21, 1911, was one of the greatest American baritones in opera history. He is also widely remembered for one of the most tragic deaths in the artform. Warren grew up in the Bronx and worked in his father’s fur business early in his life. At 24, he joined the chorus of the Radio City Music {…}
William Shakespeare, the great Bard, was baptized on April 26, 1564, and many have attributed his birthday to April 23 of that year. He would die on that same day, April 23, 1616, after becoming arguably the most influential writer of his day. To this day he remains in that pole position, though not without a slew of controversies over {…}
Argentine mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink is set to grace the stage of the Teatro Mayor in Bogota. Fink will join the Camarata Salzburg and maestro Gregory Ahss in a program that will include works from Arvo Pärt, Antonin Dvorak, Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Schubert The concert will begin with “Fratres” by Arvo Pärt, a piece which was commissioned by the Salzburg Festival {…}
The Opera de Monte-Carlo has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring a number of important stars and numerous productions. Here is a look at the unique season Monte Carlo will offer. The season opens with an evening entitled Opera-Comique at the Chapelle Musicale Reine-Elizabeth. Performance Dates: Oct. 13-14, 2018 A screening of “La Veuve Joyeuse” continues the season. Performance Dates: Oct. 25, {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is going to join forces with Chicago Urban League’s collaborative program, EmpowerYouth! Igniting Creativity Through Arts, to present “Empower,” an original opera. The work was developed with local African-American students and will be showcased on May 31, 2018, at the Lyric Opera House. The work follows a group of students who fight against a reporter {…}
Opera Columbus has announced its 2018-19 season, which is set to include three productions. Among them is a world premiere in the Southern Theatre. Here is a look at what to expect. The season opens with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” in a production by an all-women creative team. The production will be a modern, tradition-breaking interpretation that should captivate audiences. Performance {…}
Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, who opened Opera Philadelphia’s 2017-2018 season in the title role of the new opera “Elizabeth Cree,” is set to close the season in the title role Bizet’s “Carmen.” The acclaimed mezzo-soprano will star in a new production by Paul Curran, who last helmed Verdi’s “La Traviata” for Philadelphia. Mack and Curran will be accompanied by a cast of rising stars including Evan {…}
This weekend will see three Verdi masterpieces performed around the world and one of Wagner’s most popular works in a new production. There will also be a performance of Shostakovich’s greatest opera. Take a look at what OperaWire thinks you should see this weekend. La Traviata – Opera Australia, Australia In Melbourne, Corinne Winters takes on her signature role of Violetta {…}
On Saturday, April 28, the LA Opera will present a free concert of Great Opera Choruses with Resident Conductor Grant Gershon leading the LA Opera Chorus. The concert will include famous choruses from popular operas by Bizet, Verdi, Puccini, Bernstein, and more. Audiences will have the opportunity to join in the fun by singing along with the pros to such {…}
American baritone Craig Verm will take over the run of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the Dallas Opera. The company announced that Verm will sing the title role in the final three performances, replacing the originally scheduled Mariusz Kwiecien who was forced to cancel due to illness. Originally scheduled to sing the role of Masetto, Verm will be replaced by bass-baritone {…}
The San Diego Opera has announced a free children’s opera performance of “Little Red Riding Hood.” The performance, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the Greek Amphitheatre, will be performed in English and is approximately 50 minutes long. The performance will also include a pre-performance hour of family fun with free face painting, balloon artists, and family-friendly {…}