Samantha Hankey, Andriana Chuchman & Adam Smith Lead Lyric Opera of Kansas City Opera’s 2023-24 Season

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City has announced its 2023-24 season featuring four productions. The season opens with a double bill of Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci.” Mascagni’s work will star Samantha Hankey, Adam Smith, and Gevorg Hakobyan. Meanwhile, Leoncavallo’s work will star Diego Torre, Gabriella Reyes, and Gevorg Hakobyan. Roberto Kalb conducts the production by Shawna Lucey. Performance Dates: {…}

Feb 18, 2023

Jonathan Burton Headlines Pittsburgh Opera’s ‘Il Trovatore’

The Pittsburgh Opera is set to present Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” for the first time in 20 years. The production, which will be performed between March 25 and April 2 at the Benedum Center, will star Jonathan Burton as Manrico and Alexandra Loutsion as Leonora. Lester Lynch also stars as the Count and Marianne Cornetti sings the role of Azucena. Antony {…}

Jul 11, 2022

Roberta Mantegna, Lester Lynch & René Barbera Lead Washington Concert Opera’s 2022-23 Season

The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2022-23 season. The company will celebrate the Bel Canto tradition with Donizetti and Verdi with the theme “Stories Through Sound.” The season will open with the WCO Gala at the French Embassy. Performance Date: Oct 12, 2022 The first mainstage production will be Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” starring René Barbera in the title role, {…}

Mar 6, 2022

Alexandra Loutsion Headlines Bard College Conservatory of Music’s ‘Salome’

(Credit: Kristin Hoebermann) The Bard College Conservatory of Music is set to present Strauss’ “Salome.” Adapted from Oscar Wilde’s one-act play, “Salome” depicts the biblical story of Salome, the Judean princess who demanded, and obtained, the head of St. John the Baptist. Bard Visiting Associate Professor of Music Peter Laki writes that the first performance of “Salome,” given in Dresden {…}

Feb 9, 2022

Nicole Cabell, Ekaterina Siurina & Gregory Kunde Lead Pittsburgh Opera’s 2022-23 Season

The Pittsburgh Opera has announced its 2022-23 season with six operas, performed across a total of four different venues—the Benedum Center, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh CAPA School Theater, and Pittsburgh Opera’s headquarters the Bitz Opera Factory. Dvořák’s “Rusalka” opens the season with Antony Walker conducting and Kristine McIntyre directing. Ekaterina Siurina stars in the title role {…}

Oct 8, 2021

Renée Fleming, Giorgio Misseri & Emily D’Angelo Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week audiences get to discover two Bel Canto gems, a world premiere recording, a debut album, and a new album by the “people’s diva.” Here is a look at this week’s new releases. Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene Renée Fleming releases a new album for Decca Classics featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the piano. The record feature music by Edvard {…}

Jul 10, 2021

Pittsburgh Festival Opera Announces New Four-Part Series ‘Legends in the Limelight’

The Pittsburgh Festival Opera has announced a new four-part series, “Legends in the Limelight,” as part of its expanded season. The concerts will feature both established and younger artists, two with ties to the Pittsburgh area. In the press release, Marianne Cornetti, internationally recognized as one of the leading Verdi mezzo-sopranos of her generation and Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s artistic director said, {…}

May 27, 2021

Alexandra Loutsion, Elena Villalón, Russell Thomas, Sean Panikkar, John Moore Headline Austin Opera’s 2021-22 Season

Austin Opera has announced its 2021-22 season which includes two productions and a deep dive into an iconic work by one of the greatest composers of all time. “Our next season reinforces the new identity of Austin Opera—we are programming a beautiful production of one of the most beloved and classic operas of all time, premiering a new production of {…}

May 19, 2021

Gregory Kunde, Michael Chioldi, Margorie Owens, Alexandra Loutsion Headline Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s 2021 Season

The Pittsburgh Festival Opera has announced its 2021 season, which will run between May and December. “Since I began as artistic director here at Pittsburgh Festival Opera, my mantra has been to be visible, viable and victorious — even during a pandemic,” said Marianne Cornetti, artistic director of the Pittsburgh Festival Opera, in a press release. “Because we are still {…}

Sep 2, 2020

Chicago Opera Theater Announces Digital 2020-21 Season

(Credit: Michael Brosilow) Chicago Opera Theater has announced an extensive digital 2020-21 season, which will feature five full operas. “Like most arts organizations, we’ve had to take stock of our values and strengths to determine how best to approach our season,” said Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson General Director Ashley Magnus in a press release. “For COT, the priority is {…}

May 21, 2020

Raquel González, David Lomelí, Michael Mayes, Alexandra Loutsion Headline Chicago Opera Theater’s 2020-21 Season

The Chicago Opera Theater has announced its 2020-21 season, which will feature three Chicago premieres. “The 21st century has redefined American opera through an exceptional creative surge,” said Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya, who was at the forefront for programming for the season. “COT is quickly establishing our place at the vanguard of this movement. In our 2020-21 season, we uphold {…}