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News

Seattle Opera Appoints New Directors for Artistic, Programs & Partnerships departments

https://operawire.com/seattle-opera-appoints-new-directors-for-artistic-programs-partnerships-departments/

General and Artistic Director James Robinson has announced three new appointments to run Seattle Opera’s departments of Artistic Administration & Planning and Programs & Partnerships. The company said that Blaine Inafuku, a seasoned arts leader, will be the next Director of Artistic Administration & Planning. Meanwhile, Sara Litchfield and Lokela Alexander Minami have been appointed Co-Directors of Programs & Partnerships, {…}

News

The Atlanta Opera Announces 2025-26 Studio Artists

https://operawire.com/the-atlanta-opera-announces-2025-26-studio-artists/

The Atlanta Opera has announced the roster for its 2025-26 Studio Artists program. The group includes tenor Wayd Odle and soprano Alexis Seminario, who will both return for their second season. They will be joined by mezzo-soprano Ilanna Starr, baritone Kyle White, and stage director José García, Jr. Throughout the season, the artists will train and perform across the company’s {…}

News, Season Announcement

Chicago Fringe Opera Unveils 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/chicago-fringe-opera-unveils-2025-26-season/

Chicago Fringe Opera has unveiled its 2025-26 season. First up is the Chicago Fringe Opera x The Ear Taxi Festival at The Kehrein Center for the Performing Arts. The event will feature over 500 arts and over 5o hours of programming. Chicago Fringe Opera will showcase excerpts from three operas, including “Here Be Sirens,” “On My Mind,” and “No One’s {…}

Interviews

Q & A: Soprano Marquita Lister on Singing Bess Around the World & How She Pursued Her Opera Career

https://operawire.com/q-a-soprano-marquita-lister-on-singing-bess-around-the-world-how-she-pursued-her-opera-career/

(Photo: Marquita Lister press) As the Coordinator of the Vocal Studies Program and Director of Opera, soprano Marquita Lister is preparing for the school year at Morgan State University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate students and directs fully staged operatic performances. She had a busy summer giving Master Classes and preparing professional singers for their operatic, concert, and recital {…}

News

Gabriella Reyes & Duke Kim Lead LA Opera’s ‘West Side Story’

https://operawire.com/gabriella-reyes-duke-kim-lead-la-operas-west-side-story/

(Credit: Todd Rosenberg / Lyric Opera of Chicago) LA Opera will launch its 40th Anniversary Season with the company premiere of “West Side Story.” The work will be performed between Sept. 20 and Oct. 12, 2025. In a statement Christopher Koelsch said, “We have wanted to present ‘West Side Story’ for well over a decade, and all of the elements—including {…}

News

Obituary: Noted Opera Designer John Conklin Passes at 88

https://operawire.com/obituary-noted-opera-designer-john-conklin-passes-at-88/

(Photo credit: Raber Umphenour) John Conklin, a notable theater and opera designer, passed on June 24, 2025. He was 88. Born on June 22, 1937, in Hartford, Connecticut, Conklin studied at Kingswood-Oxford School and Yale University. Throughout his career he designed for such companies as the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, English National Opera, Royal Opera Stockholm, Opéra National {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Ronny Michael Greenberg on the Merola Opera Program & Working with Young Artists

https://operawire.com/q-a-ronny-michael-greenberg-on-the-merola-opera-program-working-with-young-artists/

Ronny Michael Greenberg is a pianist, producer, and musical visionary who has performed at many of the great stages in the world, including Carnegie Hall and Vienna’s Konzerthaus. He is also the founder and CEO of Taste of Talent, a nonprofit that has redefined cultural programming through innovative, multi-sensory experiences and has produced for Opera Aloha, a Pacific concert tour {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Omer Ben Seadia on the Merola Opera Program & Mentoring the Next Generation

https://operawire.com/q-a-omer-ben-seadia-on-the-merola-opera-program-mentoring-the-next-generation/

Director Omer Ben Seadia has become known for her inventive, thoughtful, and socially conscious productions. The director has led production at some of the leading theaters in the world including the Israeli Opera, Portland Opera, Curtis Institute of Music, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Chautauqua Opera Company, Houston Grand Opera, Calgary Opera, Utah Opera, Cincinnati Opera, The Florentine Opera, Hawaii Opera {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Virginia Opera 2024-25 Review: Loving v. Virginia

https://operawire.com/virginia-opera-2024-25-review-loving-v-virginia/

(Photo credit Dave Pearson Photography) During the pandemic, Virginia Opera (VO) made plans to celebrate their fiftieth season, in 2024-25, exploring potential subjects for a commission. In recent talkbacks and receptions, Artistic Director Adam Turner emphasized that the company desired a Virginia-based story for this occasion. Ultimately they settled on that of Richard and Mildred Loving, the appellants in the {…}