Karen Slack’s ‘African Queens’ Headlines 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series

https://operawire.com/karen-slacks-african-queens-headlines-2024-25-mariposa-concert-series/

(Credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Soprano Karen Slack will headline Music Academy of the West’s recently announced 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series. Her new recital “African Queens,” featuring pianist Kevin Miller will kick the series off. The program, dubbed as “an evening-length vocal recital of brilliantly curated new art songs celebrating the history and legacy of seven African Queens,” includes music by {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Soprano Karen Slack on the Challenges & Excitement of Creating ‘African Queens’

https://operawire.com/q-a-soprano-karen-slack-on-the-challenges-excitement-of-creating-african-queens/

(Credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Few sopranos have managed to build as diverse a career as Karen Slack has over the past few years. Throughout the pandemic, Slack made numerous premiere digital performances with such companies as the Houston Grand Opera, Madison Opera, and Minnesota Opera. She launched her digital talk show “#kikikonversations.” She’s been a massive advocate for new works, {…}

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Sierra Madre Playhouse to Present ‘Nacht und Träume’

https://operawire.com/sierra-madre-playhouse-to-present-nacht-und-traume/

Sierra Madre Playhouse will present “Nacht und Träume” on August 3, 2024. The program will be headlined by soprano Elissa Johnston and pianist Vicki Ray and features music by Schubert (his “Nacht und Träume”), Rachel Beetz (“Unofficial Dreams”), Noah Neites (“Book of Beasts”), Andrew McIntosh (“Intermezzo” and “After Midnight”), Berg (three works including “Nacht,” “Die Nachtigall” and “Traumgekrönt”), and Bill {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha on Verdi, Great Conductors & How Her Mother Inspired Her Artistic Journey

https://operawire.com/q-a-soprano-masabane-cecilia-rangwanasha-on-verdi-great-conductors-how-her-mother-inspired-her-artistic-journey/

After years at the University of Cape Town followed by a stint as a Young Artist with the Cape Town Opera and a 2019 audience award at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha shone in the spotlight of the 2021 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, becoming the first African to win the coveted {…}

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James Conlon Announces Final Season with LA Opera, to Become Conductor Laureate

https://operawire.com/james-conlon-announces-final-season-with-la-opera-to-become-conductor-laureate/

James Conlon is set to become Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Opera in 2026. Conlon announced that the 2025-26 season will be his final one at the helm of the organization marking his 20th anniversary in the position of music director and his 40th with the company. “The long, productive relationship that I have shared with LA Opera and {…}

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Choral Arts Society of Washington to Present ‘Carmina Burana’

https://operawire.com/choral-arts-society-of-washington-to-present-carmina-burana/

The Choral Arts Society of Washington is set to present “Carmina Burana” on April 7, 2024 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The program, which also features Uniting Voices Chicago, will be conducted by Josephine Lee and also features Ted Hearne’s “Partition.” Soloists for the performance include Amy Owens, Kyle Tomlin, and Vasil Garvanliev. “This entire season has been full {…}

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Obituary: Legendary Conductor Seiji Ozawa Dies at 88

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On Feb. 6 2024, Legendary conductor Seiji Ozawa passed away in Tokyo. He was 88. Born on Sept. 1, 1935, in Shenyang, China, Ozawa studied piano at a young age and then conducting (under Hideo Saito) in Japan. He had an international breakthrough when he won the First Prize at the International Competition of Orchestra Conductors held in Besançon, France in {…}

Interviews

Q & A: Meghan Picerno on Taking Her Career in Stride to Somewhere Extraordinary

https://operawire.com/q-a-meghan-picerno-on-taking-her-career-in-stride-to-somewhere-extraordinary/

(Photo: Murphy Made) Acclaimed coloratura soprano Meghan Picerno is the recipient of several awards in the field of opera, including first-place prize at the Arkadi International Vocal Competition at New York Lyric Opera. She was also a quarterfinalist in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia International Vocal Competition at the Royal Opera House. But Ms. Picerno’s star truly began to rise after her {…}

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Obituary: Bass-Baritone Robert Hale Dies at 90

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Bass-baritone Robert Hale has died at the age of 90. Born on August 22, 1933, in Kerrville, Texas, Hale spent his childhood in Louisiana before moving to Oklahoma City, where he attended high school and college. He attended Bethany-Peniel College where he graduated from in 1955 with a Bachelor’s in Music and then completed his Master’s at the University of {…}

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Karen Slack’s ‘African Queens’ Headlines 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series

Q & A: Soprano Karen Slack on the Challenges & Excitement of Creating ‘African Queens’

Sierra Madre Playhouse to Present ‘Nacht und Träume’

Q & A: Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha on Verdi, Great Conductors & How Her Mother Inspired Her Artistic Journey

James Conlon Announces Final Season with LA Opera, to Become Conductor Laureate

Choral Arts Society of Washington to Present ‘Carmina Burana’

Obituary: Legendary Conductor Seiji Ozawa Dies at 88

Q & A: Meghan Picerno on Taking Her Career in Stride to Somewhere Extraordinary

Obituary: Bass-Baritone Robert Hale Dies at 90