This weekend, the Virginia Arts Festival showcases the World Premiere of “Kept: a ghost story,” an opera by composer Kristin Kuster and librettist Megan Levad. It marks their first operatic collaboration. The performances are slated for May 25 and May 28 and will feature an all-female creative team. Per a press release, the opera shines a light on a wild {…}
At 32, American baritone Anthony Clark Evans is among the oldest singers in this year’s BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition and he is entering the competition in tremendously fine form. Throw in his unique story and you have a promising contender. Short Bio: Born in Kentucky, Evans’ career in opera started off rather differently from everyone else’s. While {…}
The New York City Opera’s 2017-18 season has been announced with four main stage operas. The company will include a Spanish-language opera as part of its Ópera en Español series and will also offer two New York City Opera Concerts in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall and a chamber opera series at locations to be announced. The New York City Opera opens its season {…}
It’s National Wine Day and opera definitely has moments where drinking is essential to the story! To celebrate this fine liquor let’s take a look at some of the most interesting drinking songs in opera. Macbeth As Macbeth receives his guests for the evening, he calls upon his wife to make a toast. And this starts a dance-like melody filled {…}
Leonard Slatkin will celebrate his 10th anniversary with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in grand form. While the season will include some of the most important classical musicians in the industry, the year will conclude with Puccini’s “Turandot.” On June 8 and 10, Slatkin will conduct Puccini’s final opera in partnership with Michigan Opera Theatre. The opera will star Othalie Graham {…}
Baritone Paulo Szot will celebrate the Tonys with a special four-night event at 54 Below. From June 6 to the 10th, 2017, the baritone will salute Broadway by singing some of musical’s biggest hits. The concert will mark the baritone’s return to the venue where he performed with Betsy Wolfe a few years back. Billy Stritch will accompany the baritone {…}
The Opera National Bordeaux has announced its 2017-18 season with a number of important stars headlining the year. The season starts off with Offenbach’s “La Vie Parisienne” on Sept. 23, 2017. The production by Vincent Huguet is set to star Anne-Catherine Gillet and Philippe Talbot. Marc Minkowski conducts. Paul Daniel leads a concert performance of Bellini’s “Il Pirata” with Joyce El-Khoury {…}
Opera Omaha has begun its yearly Omaha Gives! donations drive. Omaha Gives! is the company’s year-round platform for community-giving that benefits metro-area nonprofits. Donations start at just $10 and you can give to your favorite organization any time of the year. The fundraising campaign will only last through May 24, 2017. Opera Omaha is one of the most respected regional {…}
Batjargal Bayarsaikhan is going to get people pumped at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. The 27-year-old tenor is among the few that can jump from “Il Trovatore” and “Carmen” to some of the more challenging Bel Canto operas. With such a wide range at this young age, he seems primed for a lengthy career as a versatile {…}
The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera’s 29th Annual International Vocal Competition is right around the corner and artistic director Lucine Amara is making a formal invitation for competitors of all ages to submit their applications. The competition itself will take place later this fall, but the registration period has two major deadlines. The early bird registration ends on July {…}
Yet another 2017-18 season was announced on Tuesday, with Oper Stuttgart taking its bow. The company will showcase five premieres, six revivals, 12 other repertoire works and even a special event opera. Premieres Starting on Oct. 22, 2017, a new production of “Hänsel und Gretel” will make its appearance. That will be followed by a “Medea,” which gets its start {…}