Cape Town Opera & Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra Present DUET Endowment Trust Gala

https://operawire.com/cape-town-opera-cape-town-philharmonic-orchestra-present-duet-endowment-trust-gala/

The 2025 DUET Endowment Trust Gala was held on Oct. 4, the Artscape opera house. The annual DUET Endowment Trust Gala took place in celebration of South African operatic and musical excellence. Among performers were Golda Schultz and Jacques Imbrailo, as well as Cape Town Opera’s house soloists, Judith Neilson Young Artists, vocal ensemble, and Children’s Chorus. They were joined by {…}

News, Season Announcement

Union Avenue Opera Unveils 2025 Season

https://operawire.com/union-avenue-opera-unveils-2025-season/

The 2025 season for Union Avenue Opera is announced. Brooklyn Snow, Trevor Martin, Steve Isom, Paul Houghtaling, Charles Calotta, Jennifer Theby-Quinn, Donna Weinsting, Javi Ojeda, and Bradley J. Behrmann perform in “My Fair Lady” conducted by Scott Schoonover. Annamaria Pileggi directs. Performance Dates: July 5, 6, 11, 12, 2025 A double bill of Cipullo’s “Josephine” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” is next. {…}

News

Cape Town Opera to Spotlight South African Choral Traditions in ‘Horizons’

https://operawire.com/cape-town-opera-to-spotlight-south-african-choral-traditions-in-horizons/

(Image by Annène van Eeden) Cape Town Opera is set to present “Horizons” on Sept. 28, 2024 at Toyota Stellenbosh Woordfees. The program, which will spotlight South African music by Michael Moerane, Péter Louis van Dijk, Mzilikazi Khumalo, Clare Loveday, Mpumelelo Manyathi and Pieter Bezuidenhout, will be headlined by the Cape Town Opera Chorus, conducted by José Dias. “This music {…}

Editorials, Reviews, Stage Reviews

Editorial: Riccardo Muti Claims That Opera is Beyond the Singing

https://operawire.com/editorial-muti-claims-that-opera-is-beyond-the-singing/

In December 2023, Unesco announced its decision to include the most Italian of all arts, that explodes with passion and is powered by mastery in music, singing, drama, and design, the Italian Opera, or simply Lirica as it is called in Italy, under its category of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This summer, the Arena di Verona Foundation invited all lovers of {…}

Business, News

Opera America Partners With US Opera Companies for Opera Passport Program

https://operawire.com/opera-america-partners-with-us-opera-companies-for-opera-passport-program/

Opera America has announced the creation of Opera Passport, a new program that offers savings to traveling operagoers. Per an official press statement, Opera Passport gives at least a 10 percent discount on tickets to subscribers at participating companies. Among the companies involved in the program are Anchorage Opera, Arizona Opera, Ars Lyrica Houston, Austin Opera, BARN Opera, Boston Baroque, {…}

IndieOpera

On Site Opera to Present Fundraising Gala Featuring Offenbach’s ‘Monsieur Choufleuri’

https://operawire.com/on-site-opera-to-present-fundraising-gala-featuring-offenbachs-monsieur-choufleuri/

On Site Opera is set to present a fundraising gala on Oct. 26, 2023 at Prince George’s Ballroom. The showcase will feature a performance of Offenbach’s “Monsieur Choufleuri” with baritone Eliam Ramos in the title role. Other cast members include Cree Carrico and Bernard Holcomb. Additionally, the company will bid farewell to founder and Artistic Director Eric Einhorn as he {…}

Interviews

Q & A: American Baritone Lucas Meachem on Evolving Opera Through His Compassion Towards Humanity in His Roles & Love of Karaoke

https://operawire.com/q-a-american-baritone-lucas-meachem-on-evolving-opera-through-his-compassion-towards-humanity-in-his-roles-love-of-karaoke/

Lucas Meachem is an American, Grammy Award winning baritone whose compelling lyric baritone voice and dramatic interpretations have led him to the world’s most important operatic stages. He was discovered by mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, with the encouragement of tenor Paul Groves, after he sang a karaoke stint in Paris. Graham persuaded William Mason, the then director general of the Lyric {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opera Holland Park 2023 review: Rigoletto

https://operawire.com/opera-holland-park-2023-review-rigoletto/

Photo: Craig Fuller Opera Holland Park’s (OHP) 2023 season opened with Cecilia Stinton’s new production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” It leads a pack of new productions including “Hansel and Gretel,” the world premiere of Jonathan Dove’s new opera “Itch,” and “Ruddigore,” another G&S collaboration with Charles Court Opera. Stinton’s handsome production (designed by Neil Irish) is “Rigoletto” by way of Evelyn {…}