Q & A: Author A.M. Homes On Writing Her First Libretto, ‘Chunky in Heat’

https://operawire.com/q-a-author-a-m-homes-on-writing-her-first-libretto-chunky-in-heat/

Shapeshifting snakes, talking trees, a swimming pool, a tragic Botox accident…it’s all in renowned novelist and short fiction writer A.M. Homes’ new opera, “Chunky in Heat.” The opera, premiering on May 31st during New York Opera Fest, is based on four short stories by Homes and will be staged at The Flea Theater by Experiments in Opera. The opera explores {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Staatsoper Berlin 2023-24 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen

https://operawire.com/staatsoper-berlin-2023-24-review-der-ring-des-nibelungen/

The current “Der Ring des Nibelungen” at Staatsoper Berlin came into being in October 2022 directed by Russian director Dmitri Tcherniakov and due to be conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Sadly, though, Maestro Barenboim, had to pull out of the production because of severe health issues, a great blow to all, but so disappointing for Barenboim in his 80th year. {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

CD Review: Tobias Picker’s ‘Awakenings’

https://operawire.com/cd-review-tobias-pickers-awakenings/

This is the second major opera based on the writings of British neurologist Oliver Sacks, whose case study “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” was adapted by Michael Nyman in 1986. “Awakenings,” by American composer Tobias Picker, is inspired by Sacks’ 1973 account of treating victims of encephalitis lethargica. Nicknamed the “sleeping sickness,” this coma-like condition is {…}

IndieOpera

‘Soul Cymatics’ Headlines Flux Factory’s Feralpy Festival

https://operawire.com/soul-cymatics-headlines-flux-factorys-feralpy-festival/

Jennifer Pyron’s live performance of “Soul Cymatics” will take place during the Flux Factory’s Feralpy Festival on Governors Island on July 22 at 2 pm EST. A live stream will be made available. “Soul Cymatics” promotes deep listening awareness through breathing and humming exercises. The piece experiments with vocal textures, impulses, breathing techniques, microtones, timbres, rhythm, and text and site-specific {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Herbst Theater 2023 Review: Prospero’s Island

https://operawire.com/herbst-theater-2023-review-prosperos-island/

(Credit: Jeremy KNight) “Prospero’s Island,” a brand-new opera from Allen Shearer and Claudia Stevens, opened Saturday night at San Francisco’s Herbst Theater. Original, thought-provoking, engaging musical richness and full of ideas, “Prospero’s Island” was greeted by great applause. A co-production of InTandem and Ninth Planet, it was the tenth chamber opera Shearer and Stevens have composed and produced together. As {…}

News

Arvo Pärt Receives the 2023 Polar Prize

https://operawire.com/arvo-part-receives-the-2023-polar-prize/

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has received the 2023 Polar Prize. The contemporary classical composer’s career includes vocal and sacred choral works, music written for set pianos, and orchestral pieces. He is known best for his creation of “tintinnabuli,” a minimalist compositional technique, and experiments with the twelve-tone technique, serial music, and collage styles. The Polar Prize website reads, “Composer Arvo {…}

News

Alexa Dexa Hosts Online One-On-One Performances for Disabled Populations

https://operawire.com/alexa-dexa-hosts-online-one-on-one-performances-for-disabled-populations/

Alexa Dexa (they/them), composer, performer, and disabled activist, offers one-on-one virtual performances for the disabled community. “Bewitch Yourself” is a tailored performance created by Dexa and the participant together. After an initial meeting, Dexa will use their vast resources and put together a unique “songspell,” – which the composer defines “as intentions holding space for dream possibilities that manifest transformation as {…}

DVD and CD Reviews, Reviews

CD Review: Sondra Radvanovsky & Jonas Kaufmann’s ‘Turandot’

https://operawire.com/cd-review-sondra-radvanovsky-jonas-kaufmanns-turandot/

There is no shortage of good and, sometimes, exceptional recordings of Puccini’s “Turandot,” with aficionados generally swaying between Molinari-Pradelli’s studio release (with Franco Corelli and Birgit Nilsson) and Mehta’s landmark take from 1972. Add to this Franco Ghione and, in excerpts, Barbirolli’s visceral “Turandots” from the pre-war period, and nearly all aspects of Puccini’s swan song – from the ritualistic {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Frédéric Chaslin on ‘Lakme’ & the Many Versions of ‘Les Contes d’Hoffmann’

https://operawire.com/q-a-frederic-chaslin-on-lakme-the-many-versions-of-les-contes-dhoffmann/

Frédéric Chaslin is one of today’s most important French conductors in the world. He has performed at every major opera theater with major opera stars in a variety of repertoire. He has even composed numerous operas. This season Chaslin is exploring the French repertoire. He opened the season with “Lakmé” at the Liège Opera House and is set to conduct {…}

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