On May 14, the Kaufman Music Center’s 2018 Gala honored the legacy of long-time Kaufman Music Center Executive Director Lydia Kontos and raised nearly $1 million in support of Kaufman’s music education programs. The event, which took place at Guastavino’s in New York City saw the Kaufman Music Center present the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Kontos, who will retire nearly 40 {…}
“The crown! The crest! It’s the Attavanti’s!” Exclaimed the tempestuous diva Floria Tosca, as she paced about in a frenzied fit of jealousy after being led to believe by the scheming and lascivious Barron Scarpia that her lover, the painter and maverick Mario Cavaradossi, had been dallying with a Marchesa in the chapel. In fact, no such dalliance occurred, as {…}
The central drama in “Billy Budd” unambiguously rotates around the relationships between Seaman Billy Budd, Captain Vere, and the Master-at-Arms, John Claggart. However, the exact nature of the relationships and the psychological motivations upon which they are founded are shrouded in a white mist, opening up the possibility for directors to pursue a variety of valid interpretations. Many recent productions {…}
Tenor John Osborn, born on May 16, 1972, has enjoyed a prolific career specializing in opera repertoire that few other tenors venture to take on. The artist, who hails from Sioux Falls, Iowa, studied at Simpson College and made his professional debut at the Des Moines Metro Opera in 1993. He would then go on to win the Metropolitan Opera {…}
Ferruccio Furlanetto is one of opera’s great Verdi basses, though his repertoire has vastly evolved throughout his successful career. Born on May 16, 1949, Furlanetto made his professional debut at age 25 in Lonigo. Five years later he was at La Scala in Verdi’s “Macbeth.” His Met debut came in 1981, where he has been a fixture throughout his career. {…}
This week Erato has two releases featuring legendary artists and one of today’s most sought-after singers. One releases features rarely performed works while the other features a new edition of a popular work. Here is a look: Orfeo ed Euridice Erato releases a new recording of Gluck’s 1174 classic opera with Philippe Jaroussky and Amanda Forsythe in the lead roles. Diego Fasolis {…}
Plácido Domingo will return to the Houston Grand Opera to celebrate the reopening of the Wortham Theater Center The gala entitled “Coming Home: A concert celebrating the return to the Wortham Theater Center” will see Domingo return to Houston where 30 years ago, he celebrated the opening of the Wortham Theater Center with Verdi’s masterpiece “Aida,” starring as Radames. This time {…}
“Don Giovanni” will be performed Off-Broadway this summer. The Center for Jewish History will showcase a new production of Mozart’s beloved masterpiece with David Serero in the title role as well as Charles Gray (Leporello), Anna Cley (Donna Elvira), Pablo Veguilla (Don Ottavio), Jennifer Allenby (Donna Anna), Javier Ortiz (Masetto/Commendatore), Yi Wang (Zerlina), and Layla Wang. Actor and baritone, Serero, has {…}
Opera Maine has just announced that it will receive a $2,500 grant from Macy’s for a new initiative, “Opera for All!” Per a press release, the grant will see the company underwrite tickets for those usually unable to attend professional opera performances. Macy’s support will give 100 tickets to nonprofit agencies throughout Maine so that they can, in turn, provide {…}
Baritone Samuel Hasselhorn is the winner of the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels. The 27-year-old will be awarded 25,000 euros and a number of concert engagements throughout Europe. The baritone is no stranger to winning major awards, having taken home the first prize in the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in 2015 as well as the Lindemann Vocal Chair of YCA. {…}
Artistic Director Lucine Amara has announced New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera’s 30th Annual International Vocal Competition. In a press release, legendary soprano Amara stated, “As unbelievable as it is, the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera is going to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Though it certainly does not seem that long, we have come a long way. Our productions {…}