Q & A: Bass-Baritone Michael Sumuel on ‘Porgy and Bess’ & His Start in Opera

https://operawire.com/q-a-bass-baritone-michael-sumuel-on-porgy-and-bess-his-start-in-opera/

(Image Source: IMG Artists) When Bass Baritone Michael Sumuel landed in San Francisco after finishing his run as Porgy in the Washington National Opera’s “Porgy and Bess,” he realized he’d only been home about 15 days the entire year. He was in town for a couple weeks before he flew to Sydney where he’ll sing the title role in “Le {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Tenor Paul Appleby on Contemporary Operas & Run AMOC* Festival, Politics in the Arts, & His 2025-26 Slate

https://operawire.com/q-a-tenor-paul-appleby-on-contemporary-operas-run-amoc-festival-politics-in-the-arts-his-2025-26-slate/

(Photo Credit : Jonathan-Tichler) “La Damnation de Faust.” “La Rondine.” “Die Schöpfung.” “In a Grove.” “St. Matthew Passion.” “Antony and Cleopatra.” These are just a few of the many projects that tenor Paul Appleby took on this past season. What stands out in this list is how wide-ranging it is in its artistic exploration. There are several contemporary works, sacred {…}

Business, News

Tri-Cities Opera Announces Two Landmark Achievements

https://operawire.com/tri-cities-opera-announces-two-landmark-achievements/

Tri-Cities Opera has announced two landmark achievements after its celebratory 75th Anniversary Season. The company said that it exceeded $50,000 matching goal thanks to the generosity of its community, and it has ushered in a new era of artistic leadership with three globally acclaimed professionals joining the company as of July 1, 2025. In March, TCO launched a fundraising campaign {…}

News

Metropolitan Opera’s 2024-25 Season Attendance Drops in Spring Season; Modern Operas Continue to Lag Behind

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-operas-2024-25-season-attendance-drops-in-spring-season-modern-operas-continue-to-lag-behind/

The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024-25 season attendance dropped in the spring portion, falling below projections. According to the AP News, the company’s season sold 72 percent of capacity, matching the 2023-24 season. That was three percent down from its 75 percent projection from the winter. In February, the Met reported that the first half of the season had seen 70 percent {…}

News, Season Announcement

Karen Chia-ling Ho, Olga Kulchynska, Mattia Olivieri, Lucia Lucas & Iestyn Davies Lead Santa Fe Opera’s 2026 Season

https://operawire.com/karen-chia-ling-ho-olga-kulchynska-mattia-olivieri-lucia-lucas-iestyn-davies-lead-santa-fe-operas-2026-season/

The Santa Fe Opera has announced its 2026 season. Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” will open the season with a revival production directed by Melanie Bacaling. The cast will include Karen Chia-ling Ho, Stephen Costello, Jonathan Burton, Jarrett Ott, and Sun-Ly Pierce. John Fiore conducts. Performance Dates: July 3-29, 2026 Harry Bicket conducts Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in a production by Christopher Luscombe. Josh Lovell, Joélle Harvey, Rainelle {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2024-25 Review: Die Zauberflöte

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2024-25-review-die-zauberflote/

(Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera) Simon McBurney’s German-language production of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” lifts the veil between performers and audience members, making it easy to find a full-length opera (approximately three hours and 15 minutes) that is fun and interesting. OperaWire initially reviewed this production in detail for the Met’s 2022-23 season and is excited to see it included {…}

News, Season Announcement

Royal Opera House Announces 2025-26 Cinema Season

https://operawire.com/roya-opera-house-announces-2025-26-cinema-season/

The Royal Opera House has announced its cinema season for the 2025-26 season. Here are the opera offerings: The cinema season opens with Puccini’s “Tosca” starring Anna Netrebko, Freddie de Tommaso, and Gerald Finley. Jakub Hrůša conducts the new production by Oliver Mears. Cinema Date: Oct. 1 & 5, 2025 Antonello Manacorda conducts Verdi’s “La Traviata” and will star Ermonela {…}

Opera Meets Film, Special Features

Opera Meets Film: Opera Is Life in Kevin Sullivan’s ‘Magic Flute Diaries’

https://operawire.com/opera-meets-film-opera-is-life-in-kevin-sullivans-magic-flute-diaries/

Released in 2008, Canadian director Kevin Sullivan’s reimagining of “The Magic Flute” in his film, “Magic Flute Diaries,” was a profound statement on the way operatic narratives could be fused into the real world through a cross-relationship of experience, emotion, and feeling. Starring Canadian soprano Mireille Asselin as Masha/Pamina and baritone Olivier Laquerre as Papageno, the film continued the trend {…}