Opera Forward Festival 2026 Review: Theory Of Flames

https://operawire.com/opera-forward-festival-2026-review-theory-of-flames/

(Photo: Marco Borggreve) The Dutch composer Michel van der Aa has carved out a successful niche for himself within the opera world with a series of pieces, which successfully marries accessible music with film and technological wizardry underpinned by a strong narrative. The world premiere of his new opera, “The Theory of Flames,” for Amsterdam’s Opera Forward Festival is his {…}

News, Season Announcement

Nadine Sierra, Louise Alder, Magdalena Kožená, John Holiday, Benjamin Appl, Alice Coote, Allan Clayton & Gerald Finley Highlight Wigmore Hall’s 2026-27 Season

https://operawire.com/nadine-sierra-louise-alder-magdalena-kozena-john-holiday-benjamin-appl-alice-coote-allan-clayton-gerald-finley-highlight-wigmore-halls-2026-27-season/

Wigmore Hall has announced its 2026-7 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Nadine Sierra and Bryan Wagorn open the season with a gala. Performance Date: Sept. 8, 2026 The Gesualdo Six perform “English Motets.” Performance Date: Sept. 9, 2026 Il Pomo d’Oro and Il Pomo d’Oro Choir perform in concert. Performance Date: Sept. 13, 2026 Alice Coote {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q &A: Fundación Ibáñez Atkinson’s Andrés Rodríguez Spoerer on his Operatic Journey & Bringing Met Opera’s Laffont Competition Auditions to South America

https://operawire.com/q-a-fundacion-ibanez-atkinsons-andres-rodriguez-spoerer-on-his-operatic-journey-bringing-met-operas-laffont-competition-auditions-to-south-america/

(© Fundación Ibáñez Atkinson) This year, the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition held its first South American auditions in over 70 years. This historic event was several years in the making, with Andrés Rodríguez Spoerer as its main champion. As Music Director of Chile’s Fundación Ibáñez Atkinson (FIA), Rodríguez Spoerer spent years building the relationships, programs, and infrastructure that would make {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opera Australia 2026 Review: Eugene Onegin

https://operawire.com/opera-australia-2026-review-eugene-onegin/

(Photo credit: Keith Saunders) While Tchaikovsky may be one of the most popular composers of the symphonic repertoire and certainly one of the great ballet composers, his operas have, arguably, not reached similar stature or popularity in the West. Commentator David Garrett canvasses some of the difficulties of conveying Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” to non-Russian audiences in an essay on his {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Amigos Canarios de la Opera 2025-26 Review: Otello

https://operawire.com/amigos-canarios-de-la-opera-2025-26-review-otello/

The title role of Verdi’s “Otello” is one of the hardest roles ever written for a tenor in the Italian repertoire. Luciano Pavarotti simply recorded it while Carlo Bergonzi (who was considered a Verdi expert) and Franco Corelli always refused to sing it. On the other hand, Plácido Domingo debuted the role when he was 34 years old, and though {…}

Special Features

Opera is a Place: Understanding Why Younger Audiences Come to the Opera House

https://operawire.com/opera-is-a-place-understanding-why-younger-audiences-come-to-the-opera-house/

(Photo Credit: Octavio Alonso Maya Castro) Visiting the Palacio de Bellas Artes made me fall in love with opera again. The open plaza welcomed groups of young people walking, laughing, and congregating. The bronze-tiled dome gleamed like a radiant sunset, hugging the luminous marble archway. Stepping inside, the grand foyer projected an entirely different regal stature. Whereas the exterior of {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Janet Farrell on INSERIES & Being a Recipient of a National Opera Trustee Recognition Award

https://operawire.com/q-a-janet-farrell-on-in-series-opera-being-a-recipient-of-a-national-opera-trustee-recognition-award/

Janet Farrell is one of five recipients of the National Opera Trustee Recognition Awards by Opera America. Farrell, who loves singing, was brought to the INSERIES by the dynamic artistic director, Timothy Nelson. With Farrell’s professional business acumen and experience at M&T Bank and her love of opera, she has been able to draw attention and support to INSERIES, something {…}

News

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble to Present ‘Rising Stars in Concert’

https://operawire.com/ryan-opera-center-ensemble-to-present-rising-stars-in-concert/

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago will present “Rising Stars in Concert” on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House. The 2025-26 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble, which includes performs with the Lyric Opera Orchestra under Music Director Enrique Mazzola in a program directed by Kyle Lang. The {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Virginia Opera 2025-26 Review: Aida

https://operawire.com/virginia-opera-2025-26-review-aida/

Those accustomed to the grandeur of larger houses like the Metropolitan Opera might approach a performance at the Virginia Opera with moderated expectations, but the company proves such caution unnecessary. While the scale may be smaller and simpler, Virginia Opera consistently delivers excellent vocal talents and imaginative stagings that make the most of their admittedly limited budget. This season’s {…}

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Opera Forward Festival 2026 Review: Theory Of Flames

Nadine Sierra, Louise Alder, Magdalena Kožená, John Holiday, Benjamin Appl, Alice Coote, Allan Clayton & Gerald Finley Highlight Wigmore Hall’s 2026-27 Season

Q &A: Fundación Ibáñez Atkinson’s Andrés Rodríguez Spoerer on his Operatic Journey & Bringing Met Opera’s Laffont Competition Auditions to South America

Opera Australia 2026 Review: Eugene Onegin

Amigos Canarios de la Opera 2025-26 Review: Otello

Opera is a Place: Understanding Why Younger Audiences Come to the Opera House

Q & A: Janet Farrell on INSERIES & Being a Recipient of a National Opera Trustee Recognition Award

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble to Present ‘Rising Stars in Concert’

Virginia Opera 2025-26 Review: Aida