Catriona Morison, the winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, has signed an exclusive contract with London firm Rayfield Allied to be her representatives. She will be represented by Deborah Sanders, Director of Opera at Rayfield Allied. Morison turned heads when she went from being the wild card finalist in the competition this summer to suddenly taking {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Quentin Tarantino’s “Django {…}
Tenor Alek Shrader and mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack have enormous operatic careers and have sung all over the world both individually and together. The couple has joined forces in such operas as “La Cenerentola” and Handel’s “Partenope” and this summer they will be reunited in Handel’s “Alcina” at Santa Fe Opera. I had the chance to speak with them on my {…}
When we look back at the history of operatic tenors, Mario del Monaco, born on July 27, 1915, will always stand out for his massive sound and larger-than-life vocal personality. He had a massive sound that he wielded like a weapon full of intensity and emotional prowess. Looking at his repertoire, he wasn’t the most diverse of singers, his number {…}
Eric Owens will be replacing Thomas Hampson as Oreste in the Verbier Festival 2017’s performance of “Elektra” on July 27, 2017. Hampson was originally slated to perform the role when the cast was originally announced but has since been replaced by Owens, who has sung the role prominently around the world. He was widely praised for his portrayal at the {…}
And then there were 14. The Operalia Competition 2017 has announced it 14 finalists with some rather surprising numbers. So on to the people themselves. The 14 people vying for the top prize in 2017 include soprano Vlaada Borovko, countertenor Rubert Enticknap, tenor Davide Giusti, baritone Leon Kim, soprano Ruslana Koval, soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan, soprano Maria Mudryak, baritone Emmett O’Hanlon, {…}
Swarovski will once again partner with the Salzburg Festival for the upcoming “Aida.” The glass manufacturer, which was responsible for Anna Netrebko’s dress for her concert performances of “Manon Lescaut” and the Cat suit in “Faust” last summer, will create jewels for Anna Netrebko and will use Swarovski crystals for many of the costumes worn by the principals. The idea for {…}
It’s been a summer of debuts for Russell Thomas and he is about to make yet another one on Thursday, July 27, when he takes on the title role in “La Clemenza di Tito” at the Salzburg Festival. This will be Thomas’ first time singing at the festival in a role that he has previously conquered. The American tenor took {…}
This weekend, Dvorak’s “Dimitrij” premieres at the Bard Summerscape. The opera is being staged in the U.S. for the first time by director Anne Bogart, a Bard graduate. She has directed numerous opera productions including Bizet’s “Carmen” and Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the Glimmerglass Festival and has also helmed Bellini’s “Norma” with the Washington National Opera. Her theater work has been {…}
Richard Wagner is one of the most controversial figures in all of history, his antisemitic statements often creating staunch adversaries to his art. And just as the man was condemned for his abject racism, some of his operas have been at the heat of controversy. Take the “Ring,” for example, with many seeing Mime and Alberich as anti-semitic symbols. But {…}
The Mirror Visions Ensemble has announced its 2017-18 season. The season, which kicks off on August 7, 2017 runs through March 2018, with performances in Quebec, Maine, Philadelphia, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York. The ensemble includes soprano Vira Slywotzky, tenor Scott Murphree, baritones Jesse Blumberg, and Mischa Bouvier, and pianists Grant Wenaus, and Margaret Kampmeier. There will also be a plethora of guest artists {…}