60 & 50 – Scottish Opera’s Jane Davidson, Karen MacIver & Allan Dunn on the Company’s Anniversary, Education & Outreach

Scottish Opera turns 60 next year, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of its Outreach and Education program, arguably the longest-standing formal company outreach of its kind in the opera world. The department’s activities range from Paisley’s 2018 “Pagliacci”—performed in a tent with a community choir, and for which designer Tim Meacock won the Best Designer Award at the {…}

Mar 10, 2019

The Western Wind Ensemble To Present 50th Anniversary Gala Performance

The Western Wind Ensemble will present “O Western Wind…,” its 50th Anniversary Gala Performance, on Mar. 23, 2019 at Merkin Hall. The Gala will honor founding member and countertenor William Zukof’s dedication to the company. Zukof will step down from his singing role later this year. Current members of the vocal sextet include sopranos Linda Lee Jones and Gayla D. {…}

May 8, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 50th Anniversary Gala As Seen Backstage

The Metropolitan Opera 50th anniversary Gala promised to be a night filled with glamour and star power that reunited some of opera’s greatest singers on the same stage. It was a night that included some of the most popular pieces in the repertoire as well as some lesser known music that highlighted the Met’s growing and diverse repertoire. On many {…}

May 8, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 50th Anniversary Gala Review: Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s Surprise Return Among Many Highlights in a Memorable Night

As Music director Designate Yannick Nézet-Séguin kicked off the first notes of Bernstein’s Overture to “West Side Story,” audiences got to view a video showcasing the artistic design and progression toward the creation of the new Metropolitan Opera house. The graphic design and special effects hinted at a nostalgic evening filled with a look back, some looks forward, all while {…}

May 6, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 50th Anniversary Gala: The 50 Iconic Figures Of The New House

We have gone through emotional anecdotes. We sifted through some of the essential nights in the new house’s history. Now we turn to the people that have made it great. In compiling a list of the 50 most influential people in the history of the new house, we realized rather early on that we would be leaving many people out {…}

May 6, 2017

Metropolitan Opera 50th Anniversary Gala: 50 Iconic & Historic Moments From the New House

The Metropolitan Opera celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday with a massive gala featuring the greatest stars in opera. The company, which moved to Lincoln Center in 1966, is among the most renowned opera institutions in the world, a place where the greatest of all singers commune on one of the biggest stages in one of the biggest theaters. A few {…}

Mar 24, 2017

The Big 5-O: Opera Grand Rapids’ Celebrates 50th Anniversary During 2017-18 Season

This year marks the 50th year in business for Opera Grand Rapids. They just released their 2017-18 schedule and it’s packed with such a variety of opera events! “Balance is our programming mantra for the season,” Maestro James Meena, Opera Grand Rapids artistic director said. “We strive to create season schedules that include the familiar as well as the new.” {…}