The Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra have voted to approve a historic three-year collective bargaining agreement. The new contract comes six weeks after the expiration of the musicians’ prior contract and violinists Dara Morales and William Polk, Bassists David Fay and Nate West, flutist Olivia Staton, and bassoonist Holly Blake served on the negotiating committee, with support from the American Federation {…}
The King’s Singers have announced a 10-city U.S. tour this December. The famed Grammy-award winning choral sextet will appear in such cities as Marysville, Akron, Durham, Iowa City, Dallas, Houston, Williamburg, Washington D.C., Richmond, and Norfolk. The program will not only honor the holiday season but also the 100th anniversary of Disney. “With these two stars guiding us, we have {…}
Hildegard Publishing Company will release “24 French Songs & Arias by Women Composers.” The anthology, created in collaboration with A Modern Reveal, features the largest compilation of vocal music by French women by such composers as Pauline Viardot-Garcia, Leonora Orsini, Maddalena Casulana, Francesca Caccini, and Maria Malibran, among others. The volume was edited by Randi Marrazzo and Nicole Leone. “Editors {…}
There’s no secret that when opera becomes a point of mainstream conversation, there is a perception of the art form and its industry as being insular. Even elitist. It’s a mindset and bias that the industry itself has sought to course correct in recent years with independent opera companies working to create more inclusive works by a diverse array of {…}
Minnesota Orchestra will shine a spotlight on historically underrepresented composers in its “Listening Project,” beginning on Nov. 3. Kensho Watanabe returns to conduct, and Dr. Louise Toppin, a renowned performer and scholar, will provide insights into the pieces. Mezzo-soprano Catherine Daniel will make her debut, performing Carmen Brouard’s piece on Emily Dickinson, “Trois monologues d’Émili.” The concert focuses on 20th-century {…}
On Nov. 3, 2023, the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band and Seattle Opera Veterans Choir will perform the concert “Portraits of Service,” featuring the debut of “The Path,” a new song by composer Damien Geter and lyricist Jerre Dye. “‘The Path’ captures an intimate exchange between two veterans at very different moments in their lives,” said lyricist {…}
On Oct. 20, 2023 Waltraud Meier said goodbye to the Opera stage at the Berlin State Opera. The mezzo-soprano said “Now I have expressed everything – I have nothing more to say musically and therefore goodbye!” Meier sang the role of Klytämnestra in Strauss’ opera “Elektra.” The Berlin State Opera noted, “Waltraud Meier has fascinated her audiences for several decades, {…}
The historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York will host a concert as part of its Madison Sounds Concert Series, on Nov. 9, 2023. The audience will hear an assortment of solo and ensemble works, featuring compositions by Mozart, Rossini, and Puccini, spanning different genres and styles. World-class vocalists from the church’s choir, such as Jenny Lindsey, Karen Rich, {…}
(Photo credit: Madi Nguyen) Lyric Opera of Orange County will reprise its 2023 production of Jake Heggie’s “Two Remain.” Bass Phil Meyer and Soprano Diana Farrell take on the main roles of Gad Beck and Krystyna Zywulska. They are joined by sopranos Yewon Ella Yoon, Kiana Hamzehi, and Alexandra Burdick; mezzo-soprano Kathryn Krasovec; and baritone Michael O’Halloran. Kristin Roach conducts and {…}
Sarasota Opera will host a volunteer fair Oct. 29 from 1 to 3 pm. The call seeks to fill volunteer positions such as usher, tour docent, supernumerary, costume studio data assistant, Jonas Kamlet Library Archive assistant, artistic department assistant, youth opera and education assistant, opera club volunteer and marketing assistant. Those attending will learn about a variety of behind-the-scenes, onstage {…}
Photo credit: Shervin Lainez Arizona Opera released new details of its expanded programs for the 2023-24 season. “Lawrence Brownlee in Recital” is scheduled for March 13 in partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival. The “Opera Outdoors” will take place at community venues such as Reid Park Zoo and the Temple of Music and Art, performed by the Marion Roose {…}