(Credit: Javier del Real) The Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen gained international attention after winning the Operalia, Queen Sonja and Hans Gabor Belvedere competitions in 2015. Since then, she has sung at major opera houses around the world such as The Met, The Royal Opera, La Scala, Wien staatsoper and Bayreuth Festival. The young soprano has sung the title role of {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced a new cast change for its performance of “La Fanciulla del West” on Jan. 10, 2024. The company said that Claudio Sgura will perform the role of Jack Rance, replacing Robert Frontali who is ill. The change comes after Sgura also sang the opening night performance on Jan. 7, 2023. Sgura is an internationally recognized {…}
General and Artistic Director Emeritus of the New Orleans Opera Robert Lyall passed away on Jan. 5, 2024. The New Orleans Opera announced the news and said, “With courage, grace and a sense of humor, Maestro Lyall had bravely battled cancer since April 2023, as well as resulting complications in recent weeks.” The company added, “Robert was a true maestro, {…}
Guild Opera Company is set to present five tenors in concert on Jan. 13, 2024. The showcase will feature Dongwhi Baek, Elias Berezin, Chris Hunter, Felipe Prado, and Emesh Wijewardena as they perform operatic staples ranging from “O sole mio”, “Nessun dorma,” and “Ah! Mes Amis,” among others. Baek has performed with such companies as San Diego Opera and Pacific {…}
Opera Naples has announced #30DaysofOpera. The showcase features free performances, in-school programming, educational workshops, and a fully staged production of “Iolanthe” on Feb. 3, 2024. “Our Resident Artists Program allows us to bring music directly into our local elementary schools and after-school programs, with music enrichment that addresses head on the growing bullying crisis in our schools,” said Robin Shuford {…}
Alondra de la Parra has joined Sheldon Artists for representation in the U.S. and Canada. The management company said, “Sheldon Artists is pleased to announce the addition of conductor Alondra de la Parra to its roster, for representation in the United States and Canada. A gifted and charismatic communicator, de la Parra has generated attention on the international stage for {…}
The Kennedy Center has announced a three-year contract extension for Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon. “My time here at the Kennedy Center has been amazing. It’s been rewarding creating many new works in partnership with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, and the many other art forms here,” said Simon in an official press release issued by The Kennedy Center. “I’m {…}
The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida is set to present the world premiere of “Rock Me Amadeus – Live.” The showcase, set for Jan.21, 2024, will feature soprano Alyson Cambridge, tenor Victor Ryan Robertson, and rock guitar virtuoso / composer Tony Bruno, among others. Eric Sean Fogel conducts. The work features a wide {…}
Opera San José will conclude its 40th Anniversary season with the Bay Area premiere of Daniel Catán’s “Florencia en el Amazonas.” The opera, which was co-commissioned by Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and Seattle Opera and which recently made its Metropolitan Opera premiere, will be performed at the California Theatre as Opera San José’s first Spanish-language opera. The opera {…}
A search for a lost opera by Gilbert and Sullivan has begun with calls going out to people to check shelves and lofts. According to the BBC, the original score of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Utopia Limited” was sold in 1915 at an auction for 50 guineas to Sir Robert Hudson of Hill Hall in Essex. When Hudson died in 1927, {…}
Equity UK has launched a petition in support of English National Opera’s Chorus members. The petition which is directed to ENO’s Interim CEO, Jenny Mollica, and Chairman of the Board, Dr Harry Brünjes, demands fair wages on stage for the chorus. It adds, “We urge you to abandon your plans to make dramatic cuts to ENO chorus and stage management {…}