The King Of Nine Debuts – Rene Barbera On His Season Of Debuts & Bel Canto

https://operawire.com/the-king-of-nine-debuts-rene-barbera-on-his-season-of-debuts-bel-canto/

Nine house debuts in one season. That’s a pretty daunting task for any artist, especially when considering the pressures that come with each individual one of those contrasting environments. But imagine making those house debuts while making role debuts. It’s one thing to try out a new opera in a familiar place, but to do it where you have no {…}

News

Obituary: William Blankenship Dies At 89

https://operawire.com/obituary-william-blankenship-dies-at-89/

The Vienna State Opera has announced the death of tenor William Blankenship, a member of the company from 1967 to 1969. The company announced that the tenor died on Dec. 2 at the age of 89. Born in Gatesville, Texas, his first roles came in Europe at Klagenfurt, Braunschweig, Mannheim, and Bern. He would make his Vienna Opera debut in {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

The Art Of Spanish Song – Laura Alonso Padin On Her Carnegie Hall Solo Debut & The Importance Of Zarzuela And Spanish Song

https://operawire.com/the-art-of-spanish-song-laura-alonso-padin-on-her-carnegie-hall-solo-debut-the-importance-of-zarzuela-and-spanish-song/

Carnegie Hall. Name a musician who doesn’t dream of performing there. It is the benchmark for greatness in the world of music with tons of myths revolving around succeeding there. Soprano Laura Alonso Padin is set to cross that threshold when she makes her solo recital debut in Weill Hall. “I have done work with the Dallas Symphony, an opera {…}

Artist of the Week, News

Artist Of The Week: Sasha Cooke Creates The Role Of ‘Marnie’

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-sasha-cooke-creates-the-role-of-marnie/

Sasha Cooke is one the great exponents of modern music, creating some of the most memorable interpretations of 21st-century music in operas like “As One,” “Doctor Atomic,” “Everest,” and “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.” This week she creates another role as the iconic Marnie in Nico Muhly’s new work based on the acclaimed novel by Winston Graham at the English National {…}

Artist of the Week, News

Artist of the Week: Ellie Dehn Makes Role Debut as ‘Manon’

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-ellie-dehn-makes-role-debut-as-manon/

It will be a fun week for Ellie Dehn. A few months ago, soprano Nadine Sierra was slated to be the artist to lead the San Francisco Opera’s new production of “Manon.” But Sierra pulled out of the role and Dehn was called upon to take the torch of one of the hardest roles in the lyric soprano repertoire. It {…}

On This Day, Special Features

6 Milestones in Ailyn Perez’s Early Career

https://operawire.com/6-milestones-in-ailyn-perezs-early-career/

Ailyn Pérez is one of today’s rising stars in the opera world. She has slowly built her career with a varied repertoire that has shown her versatility and acting chops. In celebration of her birthday on August 15, 1979, OperaWire takes a look at some of the soprano’s milestones thus far. Operalia and Competitions While Pérez did not win the {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews, Prague Summer Nights

Q&A: Artistic Director John Nardolillo On Working With Young Singers & Mozart At Prague Summer Nights

https://operawire.com/qa-artistic-director-john-nardolillo-on-working-with-young-singers-mozart-at-prague-summer-nights/

The Prague Summer Nights is underway and OperaWire will be providing extensive coverage of the showcase. Produced by Classical Movements, the festival seeks to promote young artists with John Nardilillo as its artistic director and conductor. Nardolillo has appeared with numerous orchestras including the Seattle, San Francisco, Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, National, Utah, Columbus, Oregon, Fort Worth, Alabama, North Carolina, Toledo, Vermont {…}

Opera Wiki, Special Features

A Look At ‘JFK’ As We Celebrate Former U.S. President’s Centennial

https://operawire.com/a-look-at-jfk-as-we-celebrate-former-u-s-presidents-centennial/

Today is the birthday of John F. Kennedy. But it is no ordinary birthday, as the former U.S. President would have turned 100 had he lived to this day. While the President has been showcased throughout history in books and films, his appearance in opera is actually far rarer. In fact, there is really only one opera dedicated to him {…}