https://operawire.com/best-of-2017-11-singers-who-made-2017-a-year-to-remember/
It’s that time of year. That time where we look just before we look forward. We look back to remember all the good times of the year so that we can take stock of what we hope for in the new one. Every year in the opera world has its share of rising and breakout stars as well as opera {…}
https://operawire.com/lawrence-brownlee-to-world-premiere-new-song-cycle/
Opera Philadelphia has announced a new song cycle written for Artistic Advisor tenor Lawrence Brownlee. The company announced that the song cycle will explore the realities of life as a black man in America and will be showcased in a special one-night-only event on Feb. 20. The cycle, entitled “Cycles of My Being,” was composed by Tyshawn Sorey with text by Terrance Hayes. {…}
https://operawire.com/remembering-the-five-major-artists-from-the-fall-of-the-wall/
Twenty-eight years ago, on Nov. 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came crashing down in a moment that will always go down in history for its political significance. The moment also had major musical significance as it showcased Leonard Berstein leading a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Bernstein controversially had the word “Freheit (freedom)” replace “Freude (joy)” in the text of {…}
https://operawire.com/qa-brian-mulligan-on-his-debut-solo-album-and-collaborating-in-the-studio/
American baritone Brian Mulligan has become sought out by the world’s leading opera houses and orchestras, singing a unique variety of repertoire from works by Argento, Meyerbeer, Puccini, Spears, Verdi and Wagner. Throughout the past few years, Mulligan has appeared at the San Francisco Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, the Metropolitan Opera, Opernhaus Zürich, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera and Oper {…}
https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-olga-borodina-returns-to-the-united-states-for-her-dallas-debut/
Olga Borodina is one of the most respected mezzo-sopranos of her generations. She has conquered every international theater and has sung most of the major mezzo repertoire. And this week, she takes on yet another feat in her storied career as she returns to the United States for her debut at the Dallas Opera. Borodina will open the Dallas Opera in the role {…}
https://operawire.com/obituary-famed-director-sir-peter-hall-dies-at-86/
Sir Peter Hall has died at the age of 86. The legendary theater director died on Sept. 11, 2017, at the University College Hospital, London, surrounded by family. The director had not been in the public eye since 2011 when he was diagnosed with Dementia and, as a result, retired. Although he started his career in theater and directed many {…}
https://operawire.com/the-famous-trouser-roles-of-tatiana-troyanos/
Tatiana Troyanos is widely admired as one of the greatest mezzo sopranos in all of history. Her musical commitment and ever-insightful interpretations have made her a figure admired by all. Many great singers of today, including Joyce DiDonato and Susan Graham, have seen her as a major influence on their artistry, with the former going so far as to say {…}
https://operawire.com/christine-goerke-reveals-her-dream-roles/
Christine Goerke may be getting ready to take on “Elektra” at the San Francisco Opera but she has her eyes on new roles. In an interview with the San Francisco Classical Voice, Goerke revealed that she was a huge fan of Missy Mazzoli’s “Breaking the Waves,” and saw it four times. Goerke was so keen on letting Mazzoli and librettist {…}
https://operawire.com/the-wagner-roles-that-rene-pape-has-dominated-throughout-his-career/
René Pape is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, living bass of his generation. He has performed with all the leading opera companies and has sung numerous leading roles. But there is a composer that he has become associated with, in particular, Wagner. In celebration of Pape’s birthday on Sept. 4, 1964, OperaWire looks at some of {…}