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News

David Portillo Awarded 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence

https://operawire.com/david-portillo-awarded-2024-sphinx-medal-of-excellence/

(Credit: Kristen Hoebermann) David Portillo has been awarded the Sphinx Medal of Excellence for 2024. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the Sphinx Organization, recognizing extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians. The award includes a $50,000 career grant and annually recognizes three artists who early in their career demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Aigul Akhmetshina on Discovering Her Own Voice

https://operawire.com/q-a-mezzo-soprano-aigul-akhmetshina-on-discovering-her-own-voice/

(Photo Credit: andre uspensky) Russian Mezzo-Soprano Aigul Akhmetshina is being hailed as one of the most exciting opera singers in a generation. Called “The New Netrebko” by renowned critic David Mellor, she sings with a rare, coloratura mezzo voice. A luminary of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, she debuted at just 21-years-old at the Royal Opera House in the {…}

News

Obituary: Czech Mezzo-Soprano Soňa Červená Passes Away, Aged 97

https://operawire.com/obituary-czech-mezzo-soprano-sona-cervena-passes-away-aged-97/

(IMage Source: Opera Scotland) Czech mezzo-soprano Soňa Červená passed away on May 7, 2023. Born on September 9, 1925, Červená studied singing in Prague under Robert Rozner and Lydia Wegner-Salmowá before joining an operetta ensemble in the city. During World War II, both of Červená’s parents were imprisoned by the Nazis, and during the year of the communist coup in {…}

News

Anna Samuil Named Honorary Professor at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler

https://operawire.com/anna-samuil-named-honorary-professor-at-hochschule-fur-musik-hanns-eisler/

Soprano Anna Samuil has been named an honorary professor of the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin. Samuil was presented a certificate on her last day at the school on April 27, 2023, by Rector Sarah Wedl-Wilson. Samuil has been teaching at the Eisler since 2011, and her voice class has already produced many successful graduates who have received {…}

News

Lise Davidsen, Thomas Hampson, Jeanine De Bique & Magdalena Kožená Lead BBC Proms’ 2023 Season

https://operawire.com/lise-davidsen-thomas-hampson-jeanine-de-bique-magdalena-kozena-lead-bbc-proms-2023-season/

The BBC Proms has announced its 2023 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Paul Lewis, BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Dalia Stasevska perform the first night of Proms. Performance Date: July 14, 2023 Early music vocal ensemble Stile Antico explores the many facets of William Byrd. Performance Date: July 15, 2023 Soprano Rainelle {…}

News

Gemma Summerfield Joins Promethean Artists

https://operawire.com/gemma-summerfield-joins-promethean-artists/

(Credit: Scott Cadenhead) Gemma Summerfield has joined the roster of Promethean Artists for General Management. Summerfield will be represented by Artist Manager Callan Coughlan for operatic, orchestral, and recital engagements throughout the world. In a statement, Summerfield said, “I am delighted to be collaborating with Promethean Artists as we look to the future together. I am impressed by the team’s {…}

News

Bayerische Staatsoper Announces Cast Change for ‘Tristan und Isolde’

https://operawire.com/bayerische-staatsoper-announces-cast-change-for-tristan-und-isolde/

(Credit: Neda Navaee) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a cast change for its April 6 “Tristan und Isolde” performance. The company said that Nina Stemme will sing the role of Isolde, replacing Elena Pankratova. Stemme is one of the great Wagnerian sopranos of her generation who has performed the role of Isolde around the world including at the Metropolitan Opera {…}