Alexander Shelley to Become Principal Conductor of National Symphony Orchestra Ireland

https://operawire.com/alexander-shelley-to-become-principal-conductor-of-national-symphony-orchestra-ireland/

(Credit: Curtis Perry) The National Symphony Orchestra Ireland has named Alexander Shelley as its Principal Conductor. Shelley’s initial tenure will last three seasons, commencing in September 2026. In his first season, Shelley, who is currently Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples, will lead seven projects. In the meantime, he will assume {…}

Business, News

Mary Wilson Joins Athlone Artists for Management

https://operawire.com/mary-wilson-joins-athlone-artists-for-management/

Mary Wilson has joined Athlone Artists for General Management. Wilson has appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Detroit Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, and Memphis Symphony Orchestra, among others. She has been named an {…}

News, Season Announcement

Amanda Forsythe Headlines Early Music Vancouver Announces 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/amanda-forsythe-headlines-early-music-vancouver-announces-2025-26-season/

(Photo credit: TatianaDaubek) Early Music Vancouver (emv) announces its 2025-26 and 55th season. This article only features vocal concerts. Soprano Amanda Forsythe performances a concert of works by Handel. Alexander Weimann conducts the Pacific Baroque Orchestra. Performance Date: September 27, 2025 Soprano Myriam Leblanc, alto Cecilia Duarte, tenor Jacob Perry, and bass Sumner Thompson perform with the Vancouver Chamber Choir {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Seattle Symphony 2024-25 Review: The Creation

https://operawire.com/seattle-symphony-2024-2025-review-the-creation/

I love a creatively and thoughtfully produced opera as much as anyone — but I find I am more and more drawn to the oratorio format, where the focus is squarely on the musical telling of the story. Stripped of production elements like sets, lighting effects, costumes, and staging, the experience is distilled down to the words and the music. {…}

Business, News

Manchester Music Festival Names New Executive Director

https://operawire.com/manchester-music-festival-names-new-executive-director/

Manchester Music Festival has named David Whitehill to the position of Executive Director. Whitehill, who will be in charge of administrative leadership of the organization, has worked with such organizations as the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Reading Symphony Orchestra, and Bangor Symphony Orchestra. He also led ArtsinStark in Ohio and was an arts administrator with the Pacific Symphony and the Philharmonic {…}

IndieOpera

The Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society to ‘Dolce Armonia’

https://operawire.com/the-ridgecrest-chamber-music-society-to-dolce-armonia/

California’s The Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society will present “Dolce Armonia” on Feb. 8, 2024. The performance will feature Artistic Director David Hodgson alongside soprano Emma Berggren, Chilean tenor Felipe Prado, pianist Helen Wu, and resident artist and mezzo-soprano Amber Peterson as they take on music by Puccini, Verdi, and Mozart. The showcase kicks off at 4 p.m. local time at {…}

IndieOpera

Emma Bergreen Headlines Cabrillo Chamber Orchestra’s ‘A Scandinavian Voyage’

https://operawire.com/emma-bergreen-headlines-cabrillo-chamber-orchestras-a-scandinavian-voyage/

The Cabrillo Chamber Orchestra is set to present “A Scandinavian Voyage” on Feb. 23, 2025, at the Incarnation Lutheran Church in Poway, CA. The showcase will be led by Artistic Director Gregory Lawrence and includes works by Grieg, Attebergmm, and Bruch, among others. Headlining the event will be Swedish soprano Emma Berggren, as she takes on works by Grieg, including {…}

News

Verdi Chorus Cancels January 25 Performance

https://operawire.com/verdi-chorus-cancels-january-25-performance/

The Verdi Chorus has canceled its upcoming “Verdi Chorus Sing-Along” as a result of the Los Angeles fires. “This last week has been an unprecedented tragedy in Los Angeles. Our hearts are with all who have been deeply affected by the fires that have devastated our community. So many people’s lives have been changed forever. At least two of our {…}