Washington National Opera Announces New Venues & Updated Spring Programming

https://operawire.com/washington-national-opera-announces-new-venues-updated-spring-programming/

The Washington National Opera has announced its spring performances after leaving the Kennedy Center. The company said it was set to premiere of a new version of Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha” directed by Denyce Graves and Robert Ward’s “The Crucible,” starring J’Nai Bridges and Ryan McKinny, both taking place at Lisner Auditorium in George Washington University, the same venue where WNO gave {…}

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Cast Change: Ricardo José Rivera to Replace Artur Ruciński in ‘I Puritani’ HD at the Met Opera

https://operawire.com/cast-change-ricardo-jose-rivera-to-replace-artur-rucinski-in-i-puritani-hd-at-the-met-opera/

The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its Jan. 10 performance of “I Puritani.” The company said that Artur Ruciński has withdrawn from the performance due to a cold and will be replaced by Ricardo José Rivera. The Polish baritone also took to social media and said, “My dear friends, I have very sad news. Unfortunately, due to {…}

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National Symphony Orchestra Concert Impacted by Illegal Renaming of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

https://operawire.com/national-symphony-orchestra-concert-impacted-by-john-f-kennedy-center-for-the-performing-arts-renaming/

The National Symphony Orchestra is being affected by the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Performer Béla Fleck announced that he is withdrawing from his Feb. 19, 21, and 22 performances due to the name change. He took to social media and said, “I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The {…}

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Stephen Schwartz Cancels Washington National Opera Gala Following Renaming of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

https://operawire.com/stephen-schwartz-cancels-washington-national-opera-gala-following-renaming-of-john-f-kennedy-center-for-the-performing-arts/

Stephen Schwartz, the composer of the musical “Wicked,” has canceled his commitment at Washington National Opera following the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The composer said that “Last year, way before the change of Board and name of the Kennedy Center, I was invited by (director) Francesca Zambello to be part of a Washington {…}

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Best of 2025: OperaWire’s Top 10 Performers of 2025

https://operawire.com/best-of-2025-operawires-top-10-performers-of-2025/

It is time to wrap up the year and look back at our favorite moments and performers. After releasing our favorite performances of 2025 and showcasing our rising stars of the year, it’s time for OperaWire’s annual tradition of naming our top singers of the year, honoring the opera stars that had major, and in some cases, career-defining, years. So without further ado {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Puerto Rican Soprano Kresley Figueroa on Her Upcoming Metropolitan Opera Debut, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra & Performing with Regional Orchestras

https://operawire.com/q-a-puerto-rican-soprano-kresley-figueroa-on-her-upcoming-metropolitan-opera-debut-the-mid-atlantic-symphony-orchestra-performing-with-regional-orchestras/

(Credit: Soloman Howard) Puerto Rican soprano Kresley Figueroa is a graduate of the Cafritz Young Artist with Washington National Opera where she has performed in numerous productions including “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” “Partenope,” “La Périchole,” and “The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me.” She has also appeared alongside Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, and Denyce Graves in WNO’s annual gala. Figueroa {…}

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Best of 2025: OperaWire’s Top Ten Rising Stars 2025

https://operawire.com/best-of-2025-operawires-top-ten-rising-stars-2025/

It’s that time of the year. The end of the year. As with every year, 2025 was full of a lot of opera revelations in productions, concerts and competitions. So in recognitions of those breakouts, here’s a look at some of the young singers who are likely to make operatic waves in the very near future. Here are OperaWire’s 10 {…}

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National Symphony Orchestra Forced to Postpone Concerts After FIFA Gets Free Use of Kennedy Center

https://operawire.com/national-symphony-orchestra-forced-to-postpone-concerts-after-fifa-gets-free-use-of-kennedy-center/

UPDATE: A spokesperson from the Kennedy Center told OperaWire: “FIFA is paying the Kennedy Center millions of dollars to rent the space. It is regular practice to shift programs or events when needed.” Regarding the Washington Post report, Kennedy Cener Execitive Director Richard Grenell took to X and said, “FIFA is paying the Kennedy Center multi-millions of dollars plus all {…}

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Operalia Announces 2025 Finalists

https://operawire.com/operalia-announces-2025-finalists/

The Operalia Competition has announced its 2025 finalists. Here is a look at the finalists in opera and zarzuela. The Finalists Opera are Nathan Bowles (tenor, USA), Ekaterine Buachidze (mezzo-soprano, Georgia), Mihai Damian (baritone, Romania), Samira Galimova (soprano, Russia), Alexander Grassauer (bass-baritone, Austria), Natalie Lewis (mezzo-soprano, USA), Grisha Martirosyan (baritone, Armenia), Dave Monaco (tenor, Italy), William Thomas (bass, UK), Bo {…}

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Washington National Opera Announces New Venues & Updated Spring Programming

Cast Change: Ricardo José Rivera to Replace Artur Ruciński in ‘I Puritani’ HD at the Met Opera

National Symphony Orchestra Concert Impacted by Illegal Renaming of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Stephen Schwartz Cancels Washington National Opera Gala Following Renaming of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Best of 2025: OperaWire’s Top 10 Performers of 2025

Q & A: Puerto Rican Soprano Kresley Figueroa on Her Upcoming Metropolitan Opera Debut, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra & Performing with Regional Orchestras

Best of 2025: OperaWire’s Top Ten Rising Stars 2025

National Symphony Orchestra Forced to Postpone Concerts After FIFA Gets Free Use of Kennedy Center

Operalia Announces 2025 Finalists