219 search results for…

News, Special Features

3 Major Takeaways from the Metropolitan Opera’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/3-major-takeaways-from-the-metropolitan-operas-2025-26-season/

(Credit: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera) It’s that time of the year. I am of course referring to the period when opera fans around the world start checking their calendars as they prepare for what they will be checking out in the upcoming season. Always an event unto itself is the Metropolitan Opera’s new season announcement, always full of interesting storylines, surprises, {…}

News, Season Announcement

Joyce DiDonato, Asmik Grigorian, Piotr Beczala, Sonya Yoncheva, Lisette Oropesa Headline Metropolitan Opera’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/joyce-didonato-asmik-grigorian-piotr-beczala-sonya-yoncheva-lisette-oropesa-headline-metropolitan-operas-2025-26-season/

The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. New Productions The season opens on a Sunday with Mason Bates and Gene Scheer’s  “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay” in its Met Opera premiere. Bartlett Sher directs and Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts a cast starring Lauren Snouffer, Sun-Ly Pierce, Miles Mykkanen, Patrick Carfizzi, Craig Colclough, and Andrzej Filoncyzk. Performance Dates: Sept. {…}

News, Season Announcement

Janai Brugger, Juan Diego Flórez, Nadine Sierra, Gabriella Reyes, John Holiday Lead LA Opera’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/janai-brugger-juan-diego-florez-nadine-sierra-gabriella-reyes-john-holiday-lead-la-operas-2025-26-season/

LA Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the program. Opera Gabriella Reyes and Duke Kim star in the company premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” James Conlon conducts the production by Francesca Zambello.  Performance Dates: Sept. 20-Oct. 8, 2025 Puccini’s “La Bohème” will return Janai Brugger, Oreste Cosimo, Erica Petrocelli, Gihoon Kim, Emmett O’Hanlon, and {…}

News

Obituary: Renowned Opera Director Otto Schenk Passes at 94

https://operawire.com/obituary-renowned-opera-director-otto-schenk-passes-at-94/

Renowned director Otto Schenk has passed away. He was 94. Born in Vienna, Schenk studied acting at the Max Reinhardt Seminar and then commenced his career at the Theater in der Josefstadt and Wiener Volkstheater. He shifted into directing in 1953, his first projects taking place at the Burgtheater, Munich Kammerspiele, and Salzburg Festival. In 1957, he directed “The Magic {…}

News

Palm Beach Opera Announces Starry Cast Change for ‘Romeo et Juliette’

https://operawire.com/palm-beach-opera-announces-starry-cast-change-for-romeo-et-juliette/

The Palm Opera Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Roméo et Juliette.” The company noted that Kathryn Lewek will sing the role of Juliette, replacing the originally scheduled Amina Edris. Lewek took to social media and said, “I am delighted to announce that I’ll be at the BEACH for the next few weeks! ALSO  when I {…}

News

Obituary: Metropolitan Opera Soprano Loretta Di Franco Dies at 82

https://operawire.com/obituary-metropolitan-opera-soprano-loretta-di-franco-dies-at-83/

On Dec. 30, 2024, American soprano Loretta Di Franco has died at the age of 82. Born in New York, Di Franco began her career as a Met’s opera chorus member and eventually got promoted to singing small comprimario roles. In 1961, she sang her first comprimario role as one of the pages in Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” and the peasant girl {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Vast Imagination – Directors Shawna Lucey & Michelle Ainna Cuizon on Bringing their Vision to Opera San José & the Opera World at Large

https://operawire.com/vast-imagination-directors-shawna-lucey-michelle-ainna-cuizon-on-bringing-their-vision-to-opera-san-jose-the-opera-world-at-large/

(Photo credit: Louis Chan / David Allen) What does the future look like for female directors in opera? Opera San José, the opera company in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, now entering its 41st season, gives OperaWire a look at two young trailblazers: the current CEO and General Director, Shawna Lucey, and Michelle Ainna Cuizon, presently in residence and {…}

Interviews

Q & A: Yuval Sharon on His New Book ‘A New Philosophy of Opera’ & the Upcoming Ring Cycle

https://operawire.com/q-a-yuval-sharon-on-his-new-book-a-new-philosophy-of-opera-the-upcoming-ring-cycle/

(Credit: Casey Kringlen) Over the years, Yuval Sharon has amassed an “unconventional body of work” that has challenged opera norms. He is the founder and co-artistic Director of The Industry in Los Angeles and the Artistic Director of Detroit Opera. He has published reviews and has directed operas at the Bayreuth Festival, Komishce Oper Berlin, Curtis Opera Theatre, and the {…}