Once a singer stops performing, he or she may often move into teaching or directing. Some singers add either to their schedules as a contrast to their stage performances, though this often represents a decline in being the star attraction onstage. But Alek Shrader is doing it all at the same time while still very much in his vocal prime. {…}
The New York Opera Fest 2019 kicked off on Monday, April 29 and for the next several weeks, New Yorkers will get ample opportunity to enjoy opera in a variety of unique ways. As has been OperaWire’s tradition over the years, we have reached out to a number of the companies participating in the festival and have asked them a {…}
Death of Classical and The Green-Wood Historic Fund are set to present a fully-staged production of Henry Purcell’s “Dido & Aeneas” in the Catacombs of the Green-Wood Cemetery launching the second season of “The Angel Share.” The new production will be directed by Alek Shrader, and will incorporate spoken dialogue from Christopher Marlowe’s play “Dido, Queen of Carthage.” The added speeches will re-introduce the characters {…}
Unison Media has announced the second season The Angel’s Share with numerous concerts featuring celebrated singers and great artists. Henry Purcell’ “Dido & Aeneas” will be showcased in a production directed by Alek Shrader. The cast features opera stars Daniela Mack as Dido and Christopher Herbert as Aeneas with Randall Scotting as the Sorceress. Other cast members include Marc Molomot as Achates, Brooke Larimer {…}
The Minnesota Opera has announced its 2019-20 season with five main stage productions and a number of rising stars. Here is a look at what audiences can expect. Melody Moore and Alexandra Loutsion headline a production of Strauss’ “Elektra” with Brian Straufenbiel directing. Jill Grove and Mary Stonikas round out the cast with Elias Grady conducting. Performance Dates: Oct. 5-13, {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2019-20 season which will feature its annual festival, two world premieres, two company premieres and a number of concert performances. Here is a look. O19 Festival O19 launches its third annual festival with the world premiere production of “Denis & Katya,” a new chamber opera commissioned and produced by Opera Philadelphia in collaboration with Music {…}
The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring seven new productions and two new revivals. There will also be a notable company premiere with many rising and established stars taking the stage. Main Stage The 2019–20 season opens with Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” in a new production by Jean-Louis Grinda. The opera returns after a 31-year absence with {…}
The Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia has announced its 2018-19 season featuring an array of diverse repertoire. For this season announcement, we will only focus on the vocal performances. Orchestra Concerts The season opens with Bernstein’s “West Side Story” with Nadine Sierra and Alek Shrader in the lead roles with Antonio Pappano conducting. Jessica Vosk, Mark Stone, and Aigul Akhmetshina {…}
The Michigan Opera Theatre has announced its 2018-19 season, which will feature five productions and a number of special events. The season will also feature a number of international stars and innovative programming. Take a look! Productions Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” opens the season with Iurii Samoilov in the title role and Soprano Corinne Winters as Tatiana. MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord leads {…}
The Opera de Oviedo has announced its 2018-19 season. The season will include five productions including some operatic classics and one Spanish opera. The season opens with Jorge Muñiz’s “Fuenteovejuna” with Mariola Cantarero and Raquel Lojendio sharing the role of Laurencia. The opera also stars Antonio Lozano and José Luis Sola sharing the role of Frondoso and Felipe Bou and Ricardo Seguel as Esteban. Santiago Serrate conducts {…}
The Minnesota Opera has announced its 2018-19 season featuring five productions including one world premiere and two modern masterpieces. The season opens with Puccini’s rarely performed “La Rondine,” which tells the tale of Magda a lively courtesan in Paris. Celine Byrne makes her debut in the title role with Leonardo Capalbo as Ruggero. Octavio Cardenas directs the new production which is {…}