Conductor James Lockhart passed away on Feb. 26, 2025 at the age of 94. Lockhart was born on Oct. 16, 1930, in Edinburgh. He studied at the Royal College of Music and gave his UK premiere at All Souls Church, Langham Place. He took the position of Music Director at Welsh National Opera in 1968, where he stayed until 1972. {…}
Opera exists throughout the world, from more traditional forms that depart from Westernized forms such as Peking opera, to more blended forms like the Zarzuela. Outside the European framework, opera has taken on an incredibly diverse range of complexions, from the Savoy opera to the Farsa. And while many more categories exist, it cannot be denied that European-styled opera is {…}
On May 1 and 2, Trinity Church will present Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem in collaboration with The Dessoff Choirs, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary season. These performances will celebrate the legacy as well as the musical innovation of the organizations and will include the world premiere of a new choral work by Pulitzer Prize- winning composer Tania León, commissioned by {…}
Indiana’s Bloomington Opera Camp™ invites all stakeholders to collaborate in its “Pre-Production Meeting: Repertoire” taking place on March 29, 2025. The Performing Arts Laboratory (PAL) production is leading a radical transformation in the governance of the performing arts that gives the power of real decision-making directly to the stakeholders, including community members, students, and professionals. The call to action is {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has received a historic gift from longtime supporter and Vice Chair of its Board of Directors Penelope Steiner. The gift of $25 million represents one of the largest, one-time, individual contributions in the company’s history and marks a defining moment for Lyric as it embarks on a new chapter under the leadership of General Director, {…}
(Credit: Helmut J Rybar) Elīna Garanča has been recognized by the association Austria – Nordic & Baltic Countries. In a statement, the mezzo-soprano said, “Honored and grateful! On March 24, 2025, I had the privilege of receiving the first-ever Recognition Award from the Association Austria – Nordic & Baltic Countries, which has been fostering cultural and human connections for 25 {…}
The National Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Matthias Goerne and Daniil Trifonov lead Schubert’s “Winterreise.” Performance Date: Oct. 21, 2025 Gianandrea Noseda teams up with Camilla Nylund and Tomasz Konieczny for Alexander Zemlinsky’s Lyric Symphony, Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 10 – Adagio, and Richard Strauss’ “Till Eulenspiegel’s lustige Streiche.” Performance {…}
(Photo : Vincent PONTET) From March 21 to April 6, the Théâtre des Champs Elysées presents a new production of Jules Massenet’s “Werther,” staged by Christof Loy and directed by Silvia Aurea De Stefano. It’s probably no exaggeration to consider it one of the best of the first quarter of 2025, at least. In fact, it’s been a long time {…}
Festival Casals in Puerto Rico is set to present Golijov’s “Ainadamar” on May 24, 2025 at the Cento de Bellas Ares Luis A. Ferré. The famed work will star Jessica Rivera as Margarita Xirgu, with Evelyn Ramírez as Lorca. Meechot Marrero plays Nuria, while Alfredo Tejada is Ramón Ruiz Alonso. Other cast members include Camila Otero, Aurora Navarro, Carlos Ortiz, {…}
New Jersey’s Hub City Opera and Dance has announced that it will present a “food meets opera” double bill. The showcase, set for March 29 and 30, 2025, will feature Lee Hoiby’s “Bon Appétit” and the East Coast premiere of “The Cook-Off” by composer Shawn E. Okpebholo and librettist Mark Campbell. The former stars soprano Kaitlyn Waterson as Julia Child. {…}
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 {…}