Metropolitan Opera Nightly Streams Week 9 Stars Jonas Kaufmann, Plácido Domingo, Jessye Norman, Joan Sutherland

The Metropolitan Opera has announced Week 9 of its night streams. This coming week features some of opera’s greatest stars including Jonas Kaufmann, Plácido Domingo, Joan Sutherland, and Jessye Norman. Monday, May 11 – Massenet’s Werther Starring Lisette Oropesa, Sophie Koch, Jonas Kaufmann, and David Bižić, conducted by Alain Altinoglu. From March 15, 2014. Tuesday, May 12 – Thomas Adès’s The Tempest {…}

Feb 28, 2020

J’Nai Bridges, Ryan McKinny, Katie van Kooten Headline Top 6 Operas to See This Weekend – North America

New and old come together in this weekend’s major picks. There will be a unique world premiere as well as a revival of two recent premieres. You also have a mix of some repertory staples taking the nation’s capital by storm. Anna Bolena – Baltimore Concert Opera, Maryland The Baltimore Concert Opera continues its season with a presentation of the {…}

Feb 13, 2020

Five Major Stars Returning to the Metropolitan Opera in 2020-21

(Credit: Wiener Staatsoper/InArt Management/Marius Baragan/Kristen Hoebermann/Opus Artist) Every year the Metropolitan Opera includes certain elements of surprise in its season planning, whether in repertoire or in casting choices. Sometimes those casting choices are unexpected and include important returns to the stage. This season, OperaWire is spotlighting six major artists that have not performed on the Met stage in years and {…}

Jan 31, 2020

Ryan McKinny Leads Washington National Opera’s ‘Don Giovanni’

(Credit: Jiyang Chen) The Washington National Opera kicks off its spring period with a production of Mozart and Da Ponte’s “Don Giovanni.” Evan Rogister will lead the WNO Orchestra in his first staged production as principal conductor with director E. Loren Meeker leading the creative team. Ryan McKinny sings the title role alongside Vanessa Vasquez, Keri Alkema, Alek Shrader, Kyle Ketelsen, {…}

Jun 11, 2019

New York Opera Fest 2019 Review: Dido & Aeneas

When Dido, the Queen protagonist in Henry Purcell’s baroque opera sings her final aria “When I am laid in Earth,” not only do we hear some of the most beautiful music that was ever composed, Purcell also invites us on a journey of deep introspection, forcing us come to terms with the frailty of human existence. But in recent performances {…}

Jun 4, 2019

Triple Threat – Tenor Alek Shrader On Finding New Paths for His Career

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. {…}

May 15, 2019

New York Opera Fest 2019 Preview: Death of Classical Brings ‘Dido & Aeneas’ To Life

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 {…}

Apr 19, 2019

Alek Shrader Directs New ‘Dido & Aeneas’

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 {…}

Mar 18, 2019

Daniela Mack Headlines Second Season of The Angel’s Share

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 {…}

Feb 19, 2019

Elaine Alvarez, Alek Shrader & Daniela Mack Highlight Minnesota Opera’s 2019-20 Season

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, {…}

Feb 7, 2019

Daniela Mack, Alek Shrader & Leah Crocetto Headline Opera Philadelphia’s 2019-20 Season

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 {…}