The San Diego Opera has canceled its upcoming “The Fall and the Rising” performances. In a statement, the company said, “Originally scheduled for 2020, and delayed because of COVID, ‘The Falling and the Rising’ was co-commissioned by San Diego Opera and we created the production that has been seen at opera houses around the country. San Diego Opera was excited {…}
Waltraud Meier is retiring from the stage after a 40-year international career. On Saturday, April 1, the mezzo-soprano returned home to Wurzburg to give her final concert. The concert was held in the same concert hall where Meier began her career in 1976. While the evening was not her last public appearance, Meier confirmed it was her last appearance in {…}
Following three years in partnership with the Dallas Opera’s TDO Network, OperaWire will continue its digital content on its new YouTube channel. This past March, OperaWire ended its series “The News” with OperaWire for The Dallas Opera. Since kicking off in mid-2020, the series featured over 130 episodes and millions of views. It was a pleasure working with the company {…}
New York’s Victor Herbert Renaissance Project Live! will present “Cyrano de Bergerac” this April. The company will showcase the operetta on April 25 – 27, 2023. The work will star Matthew Wages as Cyrano, Hannah Holmes as Roxane, Ai Ra as Christian, Sarah Bleasdale, Joanie Brittingham, Keith Broughton, Andrew Buck, Josaphat Contreras, Jack Cotterell, Justin Daley, Jonathan Hare, Karen Mason, {…}
San Francisco Performances (SFP) presents mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and percussionist Ulysses Owens Jr. in a program titled “Notes on Hope,” April 1-28 at the Herbst Theater. The event features works by 20th-century French composers, Duke Ellington, and traditional spirituals. The “Notes on Hope” program will explore works by Duke Ellington and revive classic songs that well-known opera singers Jessye Norman, {…}
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet has announced its 2023-24 season. First up is “Das Lied von der Erde” with mezzo-soprano Tuija Knihtilä and tenor Tuomas Katajala as the soloists. Ville Matvejeff conducts. Performance Date: August 3, 2023 Hannu Lintu conducts Verdi’s “Requiem” with soprano Silja Aalto, tenor Mika Pohjonen, mezzo Maiju Vaahtoluoto, and bass Matti Turunen as the soloists. {…}
(Credit: Neda Navaee) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its April 6 “Tristan und Isolde” performance. The company said that Nina Stemme will sing the role of Isolde, replacing Elena Pankratova. Stemme is one of the great Wagnerian sopranos of her generation who has performed the role of Isolde around the world including at the Metropolitan Opera {…}
IN Series is set to present John Adams’ “I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky” starting on April 14, 2023. Written by June Jordan, the work presents “events of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake with its searing, compassionate, and prescient exploration of broken justice and migration systems, police violence against young Black men, family border separation and {…}
Nowadays, there is much discussion about a singer’s fach, or, in more mundane terms: does a singer have “the” proper voice for a certain role? Although this discussion has its merits, it usurps the space of the more important question of how singers inhabit their characters through their acting personalities. Especially in less-performed repertoire—such as baroque and classical operas—it is {…}
OperaVision has announced its April 2023 slate. First up, the company will showcase “Aida” from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.” The production stars Krassimira Stoyanova, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Gregory Kunde, and Vladimir Stoyanov in a production by Davide Livermore. Michele Mariotti conducts. Streaming Date: April 7, 2023 Next up is Birmingham Opera Company’s “The Decision.” The opera stars Aimee Berwick, Paksie {…}
The San Francisco Merola Opera Program is set to open its 2023 Summer Festival with “Metamorphosis: Recovery, Renewal, and Rebirth.” The uplifting vocal and piano recital will feature a rich array of songs that explore the many facets of transformation. The program will feature songs from Alma Mahler, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Robert Owens, Florence Price, and many other notable {…}