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News

Canada’s Royal Conservatory Names New 2020 Honorary Fellows

https://operawire.com/canadas-royal-conservatory-names-new-2020-honorary-fellows/

(Credit: The Royal Conservatory of Music) Internationally acclaimed conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, philanthropists James and Louise Temerty, and musician Chilly Gonzales have been named Honorary Fellows of Canada’s The Royal Conservatory of Music for 2020, according to the statement by the institution. “The Honorary Fellow is The Royal Conservatory’s highest designation and is awarded to those who have had a profound {…}

News

Obituary: Mezzo-Soprano Mika Shigematsu Passes Away

https://operawire.com/obituary-mezzo-soprano-mika-shigematsu-passes-away/

(Credit: Michal Daniel) Mezzo-soprano Mika Shigematsu has died of pancreatic cancer in Osaka, Japan. The mezzo’s husband Shintaro Kobayashi posted a messgae stating, “I am deeply saddened to inform you that my wife Mika Shigematsu passed away in the morning of Oct. 23, 2019 in Osaka. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late September. The funeral service took place {…}

News

Q & A: Sharon Azrieli On The Azrieli Foundation’s Arts Initiatives

https://operawire.com/q-a-sharon-azrieli-on-the-azrieli-foundations-arts-initiatives/

The Azrieli Foundation, founded by late visionary David J. Azrieli in 1989, has sought to enrich the lives of future generations by investing in a wide variety of organizations across Canada and Israel. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Foundation improves the lives of present and future generations through education, research, healthcare and the arts. In addition to offering generous {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Bass David Steffens On German & Austrian Musical Culture, Small Roles, & His Passion For Strauss

https://operawire.com/q-a-bass-david-steffens-on-german-austrian-musical-culture-small-roles-his-passion-for-strauss/

(Credit: Mattias Baus) Today Bavarian vocalist David Steffens is enjoying his busy summer in Salzburg – a place where he also spent his student years. This time he is a part of Salzburg Festival, performing in three productions total and therefore visiting the stage of the Salzburg Festspiele almost daily. David Steffens started performing in this festival at the year {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

Levy Sekgapane & Ildar Abdrazakov Lead New DVD/CD Releases – August 19

https://operawire.com/levy-sekgapane-ildar-abdrazakov-lead-new-dvd-cd-releases-august-19/

This week features three major releases. Among them will be solo album debuts and one very intriguing world premiere that should spark the interest of contemporary opera lovers. P R I S I M Composer and sound artist Ellen Reid’s opera “p r i s m” is set to be released by Decca Gold.  The opera, with a libretto by Roxie Perkins, was commissioned {…}

News

Israeli Contralto Mira Zakai Passes Away At 76

https://operawire.com/israeli-contralto-mira-zakai-passes-away-at-76/

Israeli operatic contralto Mira Zakai passed away on May 20, 2019 at the age of 76. According to Haaretz, her death was attributed to complications from a stroke she suffered last year. Zakai was “known worldwide” for her many appearances with esteemed ensembles such as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Israeli Opera, Berliner Philharmoniker, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, {…}

News

Anita Rachvelshvili, Iestyn Davies & Renée Fleming Highlight Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2019-20 Season

https://operawire.com/anita-rachvelshvili-iestyn-davies-renee-fleming-highlight-chicago-symphony-orchestras-2019-20-season/

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring a number of important soloists and important works. For this season announcement, we will only focus on vocal showcases or programs related to opera in any way. Here is a look. Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal in Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 as well as Joyce DiDonato in {…}

Artist of the Week, News

Artist Of The Week: Marie-Nicole Lemieux

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-marie-nicole-lemieux/

Marie-Nicole Lemieux is one of the most sought after contraltos of her generation. She has performed around the world in every major theater including the Teatro alla Scala, Salzburg Festival, Opéra National de Paris, the Teatro Real in Madrid, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, and the Wiener Staatsoper, among others. This week she will finally make her long overdue Metropolitan {…}