Following the announced of the Washington National Opera’s (WNO) 2025-26 season, it was revealed that “Fellows Travelers” was canceled by its creators. The New York Times reported that Gregory Spears and Greg Pierce decided to pull the work in a letter to WNO over concerns due to the Trump takeover at the Kennedy Center. According to a letter by the {…}
(Credit: Staatsoper unter den linden) Elisabeth Sonotka, Artistic Director of the Berlin State Opera, is defending the return of Anna Netrebko in the 2025-26 season. The Artistic Director told B.Z., “She is truly an exceptional singer, I’m delighted that she’s coming back.” When asked if she fears protests against the soprano, Sobotka said, “We haven’t heard anything more. I think {…}
The Atlanta Opera has announced the finalists for its 96-Hour Opera Festival this June 16 – 22, 2025. This year’s teams include Rebecca Gray and Rachel Gray; Gillian Rae Perry and Mo Holmes; Daniel Reza Sabzghabaei and Ashlee Haze; Dina Pruzhansky and Hai-Ting Chinn; and Iván Enrique Rodríguez and Laura Barati. Contestants will get 96 hours to create and present a new 10-minute opera. They will compete for a $10,000 {…}
Lyric Opera of Orange County will present “The Mighty Casey” on March 28 – 30, 2025. The opera by William Schuman tells the story of a big baseball game between Centerville and Mudville for the State championship. Casey comes to bat for Mudville, which is behind in the bottom of the ninth. Casey, despite his greatness, strikes out. The work {…}
The Handel + Haydn Society (H + H) has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a rundown of the vocal performances on offer. First up is “Saul.” Jonathan Cohen conducts the H + H Orchestra and Chorus and a cast of singers that includes Neal Davies, Christopher Lowery, Sarah Brady, Julie Roset, and Linard Vrielink. Performance Dates: Oct. 3 & {…}
Seattle Symphony has announced its 2025-26 season, the first with Xian Zhang as its new music director. Here is a breakdown of the vocal performances on offer. Gemma New conducts works by Gabriella Smith and Vaughan Williams with Wendy Bryn Harmer and Jarrett Ott as the vocal soloists. The concert also features cellist Gabriel Cabezas and the Seattle Symphony Chorale. {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Mainstage Productions The season opens with Verdi’s “Aida” in Francesca Zambello’s production. Kwamé Ryan conducts with Jennifer Rowley starring in the leading role. She is joined by Adam Smith, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Agnieszka Rehlis, Shenyang, and Morris Robinson. Amber R. Monroe and Robert Watson also star in the lead roles. Performance Dates: {…}
The Staatsoper Berlin has unveiled its 2025-26 season. Premieres Bertrand de Billy conducts Lydia Steier’s new production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” The cast includes Pene Pati, Nina Minasyan, Julia Kleiter, Clara Nadeshdin, Roberto Tagliavini, and Ema Nikolovska. A second cast will include Benjamin Bernheim, Regina Koncz, Siobhan Stagg, Clara Nadeshdin, Alex Esposito, and Samantha Hankey. Pierre Dumoussaud conducts. Performance {…}
The Utah Symphony and Opera has received a $15 million investment from the software company O.C. Tanner to elevate arts support in the state. According to reports, the arts organization will receive annual funding of $500,000, with another $10 million over the next 10 years. In a statement, Stephen Tanner Irish, representing the O.C. Tanner family said, “We are thrilled to be {…}
The Utah Symphony has announced its 2025-26 season. Here are the vocal performances. Markus Poschner conducts Faure’s Requiem and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. Shea Owens is the soloist. Performance Dates: Nov. 7 & 8, 2025 Thierry Fischer conducts music by Tania Leon, Mozart, and Mahler. Siobhan Stagg is the soloist. Performance Dates: Jan. 30 & 31, 2026 Tianyi Lu conducts {…}
The Utah Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s “The Shining” conducted by Geoffrey McDonald and directed by Brian Staufenbiel. The production will star Craig Irvin, Kearstin Piper Brown, Christian Sanders, and Patrick Blackwell. Performance Dates: Oct. 11-19, 2025 Tara Faircloth directs Beethoven’s “Fidelio” with Wendy Bryn Harmer, Limmie Pulliam, Zachary Nelson, David Soar, Stephanie Chee, and Aaron McKone. Performance {…}