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Reviews, Stage Reviews

The Atlanta Opera 2023-24 Review: Die Walküre

https://operawire.com/the-atlanta-opera-2023-24-review-die-walkure/

(Photo credit: Raftermen Photography) Of late, The Atlanta Opera (TAO) makes possible the nearly-impossible. In March, your reviewer summarized the robust health this company enjoys despite the current fiscal climate that shrinks arts organizations. With each gut punch to classical music lovers in the United States—the Metropolitan Opera Guild evaporating and Opera News taking the form of a brief supplement {…}

News

Zenith Opera Competition Announces 2024 Finalists

https://operawire.com/zenith-opera-competition-announces-2024-finalists/

Zenith Opera Competition has unveiled the finalists for its 2024 edition. The eight finalists include Denis Velez of the U.S. / Mexico; Ukraine’s Anna Erokhina; Ukrainian baritone Ihor Motsovoi; Israel’s Maya Yahav Gour; U.S. singer Emma McNairy; U.S. singer Daniel Scofield; U.S. singer Elisa Pfaender; and Lisa Dufy from France. The judges for this year’s competition include David Lomeli (Santa {…}

IndieOpera

New Camerata Opera to Present ‘La Tragédie de Carmen’ This November

https://operawire.com/new-camerata-opera-to-present-la-tragedie-de-carmen-this-november/

New Camerata Opera has announced that it will present “La Tragédie de Carmen” as its fall 2024 production. The work by Peter Brook and Marius Constant is a stripped-down version of Bizet’s famed opera that centers on the four main characters of the work – Carmen, Don José, Micaëla, and Escamillo. Soloists include Juliana Curcio and Anna Maria Vacca as {…}

News

Sarasota Opera to Host 3rd Annual National Finals of Schmidt Vocal Competition

https://operawire.com/sarasota-opera-to-host-3rd-annual-national-finals-of-schmidt-vocal/

(Photo credit: Lori Sax) Sarasota Opera is set to host the finals for the third annual national finals of the Schmidt Vocal Competition. The top three winners from each of the 15 regional competitions will compete for a $10,000 first prize. The second prize winner will receive $7,500, and $5,000 will be awarded to the third place winner. On June {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Virginie Verrez on Her Roles & Journey in Opera

https://operawire.com/q-a-mezzo-soprano-virginie-verrez-on-her-roles-journey-in-opera/

(Photo credit: Claudia Greco) Opera singers, for the most part, seem to take on certain characteristics of the role they are portraying. But the French mezzo-soprano, Virginie Verrez, does not just portray the role—she becomes it. No matter what she is singing, Verrez enchants the listener and has the gift of taking one at once into her world which she {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Conductor Nicole Paiement on Championing Rare Works at San Francisco’s Opera Parallèle

https://operawire.com/q-a-conductor-nicole-paiement-on-championing-rare-works-at-san-franciscos-opera-parallele/

Photo credit: Cory Weaver Opera Parallèle was founded in 2007 by conductor Nicole Paiement to develop and produce contemporary opera. It continues to pioneer the commissioning of new works and exploring underperformed musical creations and landscapes. Coming up in April 2024, Opera Parallèle (OP) joins with SFJAZZ to present “Birds & Balls,” a program of multimedia opera, pairing two short {…}

News

Metropolitan Opera Announces Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition Finalists

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-announces-eric-and-dominique-laffont-competition-finalists/

The 2024 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition has announced the finalists. The finals will be held on March 17 at 3 p.m. and will be hosted by Denyce Graves and there will be a special performance from bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green. Finalists were chosen by a panel of judges comprising artistic leaders from the Met and other companies. {…}

News

Metropolitan Opera Announces Semifinalists for 2024 Laffont Competition

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-announces-semifinalists-for-2024-laffont-competition/

(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera)) The Metropolitan Opera has announced the semifinalists for its 2024 Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. The semifinals are slated for March 11, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. on the Met stage. Audiences will be able to stream them on the Met Opera’s official website. Here is a rundown of the semifinalists: Name Voice Type {…}

Business, News

Hawai’i Opera Theatre Appoints Elizabeth Askren as Inaugural Principal Guest Conductor

https://operawire.com/hawaii-opera-theatre-appoints-elizabeth-askren-as-inaugural-principal-guest-conductor/

(Photo credit: Olivier Koning) Conductor, educator, and cultural activist Elizabeth Askren has been named the first-ever Principal Guest Conductor of Hawai’i Opera Theatre (HOT). Elizabeth Askren has serve as a master teacher at both The Dallas Opera’s Hart Institute for Women Conductors and at the Paris Opera’s Academy. She made history by judging the Paris Philharmonic’s inaugural La Maestra Competition {…}