The Opernhaus Zürich has announced a cast change for its production of Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier.” The company said, “Unfortunately, Anja Harteros had to cancel this production for personal reasons. We would like to thank Erika Grimaldi for taking on the role of Maddalena.” This season, Grimaldi is set to perform at the Washington National Opera in a production of “Otello,” {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week, audiences are in for a treat with two solo highly anticipated solo albums and a complete opera with an all-star cast. Sea Songs Bryn Terfel’s new album “Sea Songs” presents a rich and diverse repertory of traditional music with sea shanties, {…}
Vancouver Opera has announced the launch of “Exciting Voices: Concert Series.” The first concert”Opera Date Night,” scheduled for Feb. 2, 2024, will take place at Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall at The O’Brian Centre for Vancouver Opera and features countertenor Nicholas Burns, tenor Spencer Britten, sopranos Emma Parkinson and Rebecca Collett, bass Neil Craighead, and pianist Perri Lo. “Vancouver Opera is proud to work with TD {…}
Opera Hong Kong is launching the first-ever “LKSF-OHK Young Artist Overseas Fellowships” program. The program will be sponsored by the Li Ka Shing Foundation to provide short-term international residencies to young vocal artists. Six singers will be selected to take on an overseas residency of three to five months, with each one receiving a sponsorship of HKD 100,000. The judging panel {…}
Karen Slack has been named Artist in Residence at Babson College in Wellesley. The soprano will appear in a series of workshops, class visits, and speaking engagements with the theme “Who I am Beyond My Voice.” In a statement, Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. said, “Karen is a world-renowned performer, collaborator, curator, and artistic advisor who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit {…}
The Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has announced that it will extend Principal Conductor Daniela Candillari’s contract. The conductor will remain with the company through September 2028. Candillari made her OTSL debut in 2021 conducting the “New Works, Bold Voices Lab” and began her tenure as OTSL’s Principal Conductor in 2022. In a statement, the conductor said, “Since joining OTSL as {…}
Conductor Carlos Kalmar is suing the Cleveland Institute of Music for defamation. The former principal conductor of the institute is seeking $25 million and alleging defamation from a sexual harassment investigation that later cleared him. The conductor also accused the school of ruining his reputation. The lawsuit noted, “Many students and faculty, misinformed as they were, publicly protested Kalmar. The {…}
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a cast change for its production of “Tosca.” The company said that the role of Mario Cavaradossi will be performed by Piero Pretti (May 24, 26; June 3, 6) and Vincenzo Costanzo (June 8). They will replace Francesco Meli who was originally announced. Pretti is a well-known tenor who is set to perform at {…}
The Glimmerglass Festival has announced the 45 members of its 2024 Young Artists Program. This year’s roster includes singers, dancers, conductors, pianists, and directors from across the United States and countries such as Guyana, Canada, Korea, Uzbekistan, China, South Africa, and the Philippines. This article only features classical vocalists. Lauryn Davis, Saane Halaholo, Kaylan Hernandez, Emilie Kealani, Amanda Sheriff, Catherine {…}
Conductor Chelsea Gallo has joined Arabella Arts for General Management. Gallo is a recipient of the 2022 Sir Georg Solti Career Assistance Grant. She is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Orlando Philharmonic and Resident Conductor of The Florida Orchestra for two consecutive seasons from 2023-25. She has also been the cover conductor with the New York Philharmonic. Past positions {…}
The Orchestre Philharmonique et Choeur des Mélomanes is set to perform Bizet’s “Carmen” on Feb. 24 and 25, 2024 at the Maison symphonique. The concert version will star Wallis Giunta (Carmen), Adam Luther (Don José), Hugo Laporte (Escamillo), and Myriam LeBlanc (Micaëla). They will be accompanied by an orchestra of 60 musicians and 120 choristers from the OPCM as well {…}