Obituary: Legendary Soprano Teresa Zylis-Gara Dies at 91

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(Credit: Metropolitan Opera Archives) On August 28, 2021, Soprano Teresa Żylis-Gara died at the age of 91. Żylis-Gara was born on January 23, 1930, in Landwarów, Second Polish Republic. She studied at the Łódź Music Academy for nine years. In 1954, the soprano won first prize at the Polish Young Vocalists Contest in Warsaw which brought her engagements to sing {…}

News

Obituary: Mezzo-Soprano Jean Kraft Passes at 94

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(Credit: Douglas Merriam) American mezzo-soprano Jean Kraft passed away on July 15, 2021. She was 94. Kraft was born on Jan. 9, 1927 in Menasha, Wisconsin, United States and began her singing career at the New York City Opera in the 1960s. She then went on to take on a partnership with the Santa Fe Opera between 1965 through 1987 {…}

Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Eric Owens

https://operawire.com/artist-of-the-week-eric-owens/

This week the Glimmerglass Festival will open in Cooperstown, New York presenting a month-long program of inventive productions and repertory staples. The season will also feature some of the world’s biggest stars including Eric Owens, who will work as the festival’s Artist in Residence for the Young Artist Program. He will also perform in two of the company’s highly anticipated {…}

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MET Orchestra Spotlight Series Season to Conclude High Above NYC

https://operawire.com/met-orchestra-spotlight-series-season-to-conclude-high-above-nyc/

(Photo: Related Oxford) In his January 12, 2021, State of the State Address, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined a plan for resuscitating the arts within the State and New York City. Nearly six months to the day, on June 13 at 3:00 p.m. EDT, the MET Orchestra Musicians will present the finale of their Spotlight Series of concerts, “At {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: MET Orchestra Members Barbara Jöstlein Currie & Julia Bruskin on the Orchestra’s Spotlight Series & the Current State of Organization

https://operawire.com/q-a-met-orchestra-members-barbara-jostlein-currie-julia-bruskin-on-the-orchestras-spotlight-series-the-current-state-of-organization/

The MET Orchestra, one of the greatest in the world, is in jeopardy. Read that again. The MET Orchestra, one of the greatest in the world, is in jeopardy. That’s not just an opinion. As reported in multiple news outlets, including this one, none other than the iconic conductor, Maestro Riccardo Muti, unequivocally stated just that. In his letter dated {…}

Special Features

Sarai Elizabeth Cole & Rebecca L. Hargrove Discuss the Black Community’s Love-Hate Relationship With ‘Porgy and Bess’

https://operawire.com/a-look-at-the-black-communitys-love-hate-relationship-with-porgy-and-bess/

***Editorial Note: This article has been modified from its original version. (Credit: Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera) “Porgy and Bess” is arguably America’s most celebrated and beloved opera. Following its premiere in 1935, the opera by George Gershwin about an African-American community in Charleston, South Carolina has become a mainstay of opera houses across the world, receiving major productions at {…}

DVD and CD Releases, News

Jamie Barton, Leontyne Price & Samuel Hasselhorn Lead New CD/DVD Releases

https://operawire.com/jamie-barton-leontyne-price-samuel-hasselhorn-lead-new-cd-dvd-releases/

This week features a number of solo recital albums, compilations, and one of the greatest divas of all time. Here is a look at what you can stream this week. Flare British composer Joanna Marsh reflects on her first ten years living in Dubai, releasing the first recordings of six pieces with the BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Onyx Brass, and the Chapel Choir {…}

Special Features

The Pandemic Prevention Plan That Enabled the Salzburg Festival’s 100th Edition to Take Place

https://operawire.com/the-pandemic-prevention-plan-that-enabled-the-salzburg-festivals-100th-edition-to-take-place/

Every year, the Salzburg Festival fascinates with its superhuman efforts to nurture the prosperous cultural life of the city. During the summer they organize and present to the public the full seasonal repertoire of the opera house, drama theater, and concert hall. This year, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the collapse of almost the entire world’s cultural {…}

News

Obituary: Legendary Soprano Mady Mesplé Passes Away at 89

https://operawire.com/obituary-legendary-soprano-mady-mesple-passes-away-at-89/

French coloratura soprano Mady Mesplé passed away on May 30, 2020 at the age of 89. Born on March 7, 1931, in Toulouse, France, Mesplé studied piano and voice at the music conservatory of her native city. She went on to graduate with a gold medal and play the piano in a local ballroom orchestra. Following her time with the {…}

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Obituary: Legendary Soprano Teresa Zylis-Gara Dies at 91

Obituary: Mezzo-Soprano Jean Kraft Passes at 94

Artist of the Week: Eric Owens

MET Orchestra Spotlight Series Season to Conclude High Above NYC

Q & A: MET Orchestra Members Barbara Jöstlein Currie & Julia Bruskin on the Orchestra’s Spotlight Series & the Current State of Organization

Sarai Elizabeth Cole & Rebecca L. Hargrove Discuss the Black Community’s Love-Hate Relationship With ‘Porgy and Bess’

Jamie Barton, Leontyne Price & Samuel Hasselhorn Lead New CD/DVD Releases

The Pandemic Prevention Plan That Enabled the Salzburg Festival’s 100th Edition to Take Place

Obituary: Legendary Soprano Mady Mesplé Passes Away at 89