Artist Profile: Soprano Lucine Amara, A Legendary Met Vet

https://operawire.com/artist-profile-soprano-lucine-amara-a-legendary-met-vet/

Lucina Amara, born on March 1, 1925, is one of the sopranos to perform most often at the Metropolitan Opera. The Connecticut native was raised in San Francisco, where she sang with the San Francisco Opera Chorus. In 1946 she made her concert debut after studies at the Music Academy of the West and she appeared at the Hollywood Bowl {…}

Opera Wiki

Artist Profile: Mirella Freni, A Great Italian Diva

https://operawire.com/artist-profile-mirella-freni-a-great-italian-diva/

Mirella Freni, born on Feb. 27, 1935, would go on to become one of the renowned Italian sopranos of her generation. Freni’s musical talent was recognized from an early age as she performed “Un bel dì vedremo” on a radio competition. She made her opera debut in her hometown on March 3, 1955 in “Carmen,” taking on the role of {…}

Special Features

J’Nai Bridges, Brenda Rae & The Six Exciting Debuts Of the Met Opera’s 2019-20 Season

https://operawire.com/jnai-bridges-brenda-rae-the-six-exciting-debuts-of-the-met-operas-2019-20-season/

One of the most exciting aspects of a new season is the fact that audiences will get an opportunity to encounter new and exciting artists for the very first time. This is also the case at the Metropolitan Opera, which will feature a plethora of debuts in numerous major productions. Here is a look at six stars that we are {…}

News

Obituary: Bass-Baritone Lynton Black Passes

https://operawire.com/obituary-bass-baritone-lynton-black-passes/

English bass-baritone Lynton Black has died. The singer studied at the Royal Academy of Music on a scholarship from the Countess of Munster and made his professional debut at the Royal Opera House, singing High Priest in “Teseo” in the 1985 English Bach Festival celebrating Handel’s tercentenary. His Royal Opera debut came in the role of Luther in “Les Contes {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Oper Frankfurt 2018-19 Review: Rinaldo

https://operawire.com/oper-frankfurt-2018-19-review-rinaldo/

Most musicologists concur that Handel did a major cut and paste job on “Rinaldo,” as more than two thirds of the score was cribbed from earlier compositions. There are also three versions of this tremendously successful opera from 1711, 1717 and 1731. Depending on singers’ availability and vocal condition, innumerable nips and tucks occurred at almost all 53 performances during Handel’s {…}

News

Pretty Yende, Brandon Jovanovich & Sonya Yoncheva Among Opera Awards Finalists

https://operawire.com/pretty-yende-brandon-jovanovich-sonya-yoncheva-among-opera-awards-finalists/

The opera awards have announced the 2019 nominees with multiple singers and companies competing for top prizes. The nominees for Female Singer of the Year are Anna Caterina Antonacci, Daniela Barcellona, Sabine Devieilhe, Rosa Feola, Asmik Grigorian, and Pretty Yende. Meanwhile, the category for Male Singer of the Year is headlined by Charles Castronovo who competes with Alex Esposito, Brandon Jovanovich, John Osborn, Xavier Sabata, and Georg Zeppenfeld. {…}

Artist of the Week, News

Artist Of The Week: Luca Pisaroni

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-luca-pisaroni/

For over 10 years, bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni has been the go-to Leporello in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” performing the role all over the world at such companies as the Teatro alla Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, Salzburg Festival, Baden Baden Festival, Wiener Staatsoper, and at Tanglewood, among others. His interpretation has been hailed by critics as “dynamic” and “youthful” and a number of performances {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Matthew Shilvock On The 2019-20 San Francisco Opera Season

https://operawire.com/q-a-matthew-shilvock-on-the-2019-20-san-francisco-opera-season/

The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a wide array of repertory from Mozart and Verdi to Britten and Mason Bates. It’s a season that also includes company debuts, role debuts, and U.S. debuts. OperaWire had a chance to speak with General Director Matthew Shilvock on the new season and what excites him about many returning {…}

News

Nadine Sierra, Brian Jagde & Franco Fagioli Headline San Francisco Opera’s 2019-20 Season

https://operawire.com/nadine-sierra-brian-jagde-franco-fagioli-headline-san-francisco-operas-2019-20-season/

The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring seven new productions and two new revivals. There will also be a notable company premiere with many rising and established stars taking the stage. Main Stage The 2019–20 season opens with Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” in a new production by Jean-Louis Grinda. The opera returns after a 31-year absence with {…}

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Artist Profile: Soprano Lucine Amara, A Legendary Met Vet

Artist Profile: Mirella Freni, A Great Italian Diva

J’Nai Bridges, Brenda Rae & The Six Exciting Debuts Of the Met Opera’s 2019-20 Season

Obituary: Bass-Baritone Lynton Black Passes

Oper Frankfurt 2018-19 Review: Rinaldo

Pretty Yende, Brandon Jovanovich & Sonya Yoncheva Among Opera Awards Finalists

Artist Of The Week: Luca Pisaroni

Q & A: Matthew Shilvock On The 2019-20 San Francisco Opera Season

Nadine Sierra, Brian Jagde & Franco Fagioli Headline San Francisco Opera’s 2019-20 Season