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Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Adam Smith on Gounod’s ‘Roméo et Juliette’ & His Washington National Opera Debut

https://operawire.com/q-a-adam-smith-on-gounods-romeo-et-juliette-his-washington-national-opera-debut/

(Credit: Vimagazino/Nikos Kokkas) This week the Washington National Opera is set to present a new production of “Roméo et Juliette” with a cast of recognized singers, including rising star Adam Smith. Smith has gradually made a name for himself in the opera world with his passionate singing reminiscent of the golden age. The tenor has performed major roles in both {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2023-24 Review: Dead Man Walking

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2023-24-review-dead-man-walking/

(Credit: Karen Almond) The Metropolitan Opera re-opened its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, with a new production of “Dead Man Walking” by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally. The production kicks off a major initiative for the company. Last year, the Met announced that due to the success of contemporary works, including “The Hours,” it would invest more potently on {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Ramon Vargas on Celebrating his 40th Anniversary, His Fondest Memories & the Future

https://operawire.com/q-a-ramon-vargas-on-celebrating-his-40th-anniversary-his-fondest-memories-the-future/

On Sept. 10, Ramon Vargas celebrated his 40th anniversary as a singer in a gala at the theater where he first debuted, the Palacio de las Bellas Artes. Since that debut in 1983, Vargas has gone on to sing at every major theater in the world including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Wiener Staatsoper, and many {…}

News

Dame Sarah Connolly & Sir Simon Keenlyside to Give Inaugural Performances in Pembroke College Cambridge’s Newly Refurbished Auditorium

https://operawire.com/dame-sarah-connolly-sir-simon-keenlyside-to-give-inaugural-performances-in-pembroke-college-cambridges-newly-refurbished-auditorium/

(Photo credit: Marco Borggreve, Christopher Pledger, & Robert Workman) The recently updated 200-seat chamber hall at Pembroke College Cambridge welcomes baritone Sir Simon Keenlyside on Oct. 5 and mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly on Nov. 1. Keenlyside opens the Bliss International Song Series with Schubert’s “Winterreise.” Connolly follows with selections by Brahms, Mahler, Frank Bridge, and Edmund Rubbra. Artistic Director Joseph {…}

News

Composer Joseph C. Phillips Jr. Debuts Excerpts from ‘1619’ Opera Cycle at Brooklyn’s Roulette

https://operawire.com/composer-joseph-c-phillips-jr-debuts-excerpts-from-1619-opera-cycle-at-brooklyns-roulette/

On Sept. 17, 2023, Composer Joseph C. Phillips Jr. and his 21-person chamber ensemble, Numinous, will present excerpts from the first of the composer’s eight-opera cycle, “1619.” The performance will be held at Roulette in Brooklyn, NY, and feature sopranos Rebecca L. Hargrove and Ariadne Greif presenting music from “So Far Behind Now Because of Then.” The opera, inspired by {…}

News

Washington National Opera to Open Season with ‘Grounded’

https://operawire.com/washington-national-opera-to-open-season-with-grounded/

The Washington National Opera is set to open its 2023–2024 season with the world premiere of “Grounded.” The opera, which is set to be presented between Oct. 28–Nov.13, is composed by two-time Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori with a libretto adapted by George Brant from his eponymous play. The opera will be directed by Michael Mayer. “Grounded” tells the story {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews, Opera Meets Film

Opera & Film: A Conversation with Dr. Joseph Attard About Opera Cinema

https://operawire.com/opera-film-a-conversation-with-dr-joseph-attard-about-opera-cinema/

(Photo Credit: Ken Howard) Does opera seen at the movies count as its own experience? With the advent of streamed opera in movie theaters, the idea that filmed opera can somehow replace or make up for the real-life experience is a touchy point. Of course, one can’t compare the feeling of being in an opera house with being in a {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Delaware Valley Opera Company 2023 Review: The Stronger, Cavalleria Rusticana, and I Pagliacci

https://operawire.com/dvoc-2023-review-the-stronger-cavalleria-rusticana-and-i-pagliacci/

Credit: Julie Smith Delaware Valley Opera Company (DVOC) presented a unique triple-bill on August 13, 2023, which included the Philadelphia debut of Misha Dutka’s “The Stronger.” This was accompanied by Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci.” The operas were performed at the Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center in Philadelphia. It’s no small job to showcase three operas {…}

News

Opera Philadelphia Announces Massive Budget & Staff Cuts Following Post-Pandemic Slump

https://operawire.com/opera-philadelphia-announces-massive-budget-staff-cuts-following-post-pandemic-slump/

Opera Philadelphia has announced it is cutting its budget and eliminating five positions. The company noted that due to a post-pandemic slump, it will cut its current annual budget by about 20 percent from its originally approved $13.3 million and will cut five positions or about 16 percent of staff. Additionally, it announced it would be postponing its production of {…}