The National Philharmonic is set to present its annual “Messiah” performances, conducted by Music Director Piotr Gajewski. The performances will be held at the Strathmore and Capital One Hall. The oratorio will star soprano Aundi Marie Moore, mezzo soprano Lucia Bradford, tenor Norman Shankle, and baritone Jorell Williams alongside the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. In a statement, Gajewski said, “In {…}
The English Chamber Orchestra announced Roberto Forés Veses as its Principal Guest Conductor. Forés Veses will assume the post in the 2024-25 season for an initial three years. During his tenure, Forés Veses will focus on the core classical repertoire and British music that have earned the orchestra its reputation over the years, as well as highlight 19th and 20th {…}
In support of coastal community choirs across the UK, OperaUpClose has launched a Big Give Christmas match-funding campaign. The company’s goal is to raise crucial funds to support their work with coastal community choirs. This new project is a significant development of OperaUpClose’s long-term commitment to community engagement. As part of a major new touring production in partnership with MAST {…}
(Photo credit: Sisi) Mezzo-soprano Melissa Gregory has been named the winner of Bampton Classical Opera’s 2023 Young Singers’ Competition. The finals took place Nov. 25 in the Leonard Wolfson Auditorium at Wolfson College in Oxford. Gregory took home the highest prize totaling in £2,000. Second prize of £1,000 was awarded to countertenor Kieron-Connor Valentine. The winner of the accompanists’ prize, {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is set to present Puccini’s “Tosca” from Dec. 9 through 14, 2023. The opera will be shown in a production by Alessandro Talevi and conducted by Michele Mariotti. Anna Pirozzi will sing the title role with Fabio Sartori as Cavaradossi. Erwin Schrott and Amartuvshin Enkhbat share the role of Scarpia. Pirozzi has performed at the Royal {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced that due to rising costs, it will cut its chorus by 40 percent. The organization said that the reduction will begin during its 2024 season and according to Platea Magazine, the chorus will be reduced from 134 to 80 members. Additionally, the festival noted that as its state subsidies will not increase and additional financial requirements {…}
Pablo Escobar means different things to different people. For many, he’s the ultimate representation of the evil of drug cartels and of the druglord and crime at large. A terrorist. For those who defend his image, he’s hated because he’s the ultimate rags to riches story, a rebel who turned capitalism against its gatekeepers. For an entire generation of Colombians, {…}
Multicultural Sonic Evolution (MuSE) is set to present a concert performance of “A Daughter of the Samurai” on Dec. 15, 2023, at the Church-in-the-Gardens at Forest Hills in New York. The opera, which features a libretto by Lee Douglass and Music by Yui Kitamura, will star soprano Manami Hattori, mezzo-soprano Linnea Leonard, tenor Andy Danh, and mezzo-soprano Sahoko Timpone, among {…}
The Graz-based Styriarte Festival has announced its 2024 slate, which takes place from June 21 – July 21, 2024. Here is a breakdown of the vocal performances. “Die Macht der Music,” which will feature music by Händel,” will be headlined by soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, tenor Daniel Johannsen, bass Damien Gastl, and the Arnold Schoenberg Chor. Alfredo Bernardini conducts the Zefiro {…}
Portland Opera has announced that Alexis Walker is the second Ensemble Leaders Fellow. Walker is a member of Pacific University’s Chamber Singers. She has also performed with the American Choral Directors Association and the Oregon Music Educators Association. She has also worked in theater as a Stage Manager and Assistant Producer and is a vocal instructor and Voice Program Director {…}
Athena Music Production is set to present Gaetano Donizetti’s “Il canto d’Ugolino” at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall on Nov. 29, 2023. The program will feature the cantata in addition to songs by Schubert, Brahms, and Schumann. The program will be headlined by baritone Franco Pomponi and pianist Michael Fennelly. Pomponi has performed with such organizations as the Gran Teatro {…}