(Photo: Rich Southgate) Those members of the audience who were looking forward to OperaUpClose’s new production of Vaughan-Williams’ one-act opera, “Riders to the Sea,” or had been attracted by the chance of seeing a musical representation of J.M. Synge’s play of the same name, on which the opera is based and follows closely, may well have been somewhat surprised. The {…}
This week the Wiener Staatsoper is set to Present a new production of “Norma” with an all-star cast featuring some of the best Bel Canto singers in the industry. Among them is Federica Lombardi, who will take on the iconic and challenging title role. Over the past years, Lombardi has been a rising star who has performed in many of {…}
Following the revival of the Wiener Staatsoper’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” on Feb. 14, the company was forced to switch Herbert Fritsch’s production to the older Günther Rennert production on Feb. 18, 2025. According to reports, Fritsch’s production had a foul-smelling breakdown and forced audience members to leave the hall. As a result, the Wiener Staatsoper was forced to change {…}
The 92nd Street Y is set to present Karen Slack & Kevin Miller in “African Queens.” The concert will be presented on March 11, 2025, at the Buttenwieser Hall at The Arnhold Center and streaming online. Grammy Award winner and Sphinx Medal of Excellence winner Slack will offer the New York premiere of her new commissioning project “African Queens.” The {…}
The Canadian Opera Company has announced that Elisabeta Cojocaru and Kimly Mengyin Wang have joined the company’s Ensemble Studio as pianist coaches for the 2025-26 season. In a statement, Dorian Cox, Director of the Ensemble Studio said, “We are delighted to have Elisabeta and Kimly joining our program. Our pianist coaches serve a vital role, not only in day-to-day sessions {…}
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem has announced its Youth Choirs Festival to take place in collaboration with the Westminster Choir College and Lehigh Valley Youth Choirs. The Greg Funfgeld Family Concert Youth Choirs Festival: Music From Around the World is a celebration of choral music designed to engage and inspire family members of all ages. Audiences will embark on a {…}
Asmik Grigorian is set to return to New York for a concert at Carnegie Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra and Franz Welser-Möst. The evening which will be held on March 18 at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage will showcase Grigorian in Strauss’ “Four Last Songs” and the Final Scene from Puccini’s “Suor Angelica.” The concert will also showcase Welser-Möst {…}
(Credit: © Cordula Groth) Michael Laurenz has joined Hilbert Artists Management for General Management. Laurenz recently opened the 2024-25 season as Spalanzani in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” at the Salzburger Festspiele. He has performed at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Bayerische Staatsoper Munich, the Staatsoper Hamburg, the Opéra National de Paris, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, {…}
Angel Blue is set to return to LA Opera on March 15, 2025 for a concert entitled “Coming Home: Angel Blue in Concert.” The soprano will perform at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion alongside Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados. Blue launched her career with LAO’s young artist program and returned to LA in 2022 for “Tosca.” The soprano will be joined by {…}
On Feb. 22, musicians from across the country, including past and current staff and students from Cardiff University’s School of Music, will gather in a musical protest against proposed course closures, job losses, and cuts. In late Jan. Cardiff University confirmed plans to close Cardiff University School of Music, a facility that has produced outstanding musicians such as Karl Jenkins, {…}
Aspen Music Festival and School has announced its 2025 season of performances, titled “Concerning the Spiritual in Art.’”Drawing inspiration from the Kandinsky novel of the same name, the season is set to feature nearly 200 public events which explore a number of spiritual and personal themes. Here is a breakdown of the classical vocal performances on offer. Renowned soprano Renee {…}
