OPERA America 2023 Review: Felix Jarrar & Friends – Liederabend

Earlier this month, OPERA America’s McKay Studio was home to a compelling performance featuring the latest art songs by composer and pianist Felix Jarrar. Entitled “Liederabend with Felix Jarrar & Friends,” the event showcased the vocal talents of mezzo-soprano Jessica Trainor Tasucu, baritone Benjamin Howard, contralto Allison Gish, and tenor Ryan Morgan. Jarrar’s diverse repertoire of art songs ranged from {…}

‘Liederabend With Felix Jarrar & Friends’ to Make 14 World Premieres at Opera America

“Liederabend With Felix Jarrar & Friends” will give a concert at Opera America featuring 14 world premiere pieces. Composer and pianist Jarrar with collaborators mezzo-soprano Jessica Trainor-Tasucu, contralto Allison Gish, tenor Ryan Mangan, and baritone Miguel Angel Vasquez will present a concert of the works written throughout the pandemic. The program includes “Wild West,” song cycles “French Kisses” with texts {…}

Body & Voice – Why Bea Goodwin’s New Camerata Production of ‘The Rape of Lucretia’ Casts Two Actors In Title Role

In Benjamin Britten and Ronald Duncan’s “The Rape of Lucretia,” a young Roman soldier is goaded into testing the chastity of Lucretia, who was the only woman not to betray her husband Collatinus. This roman soldier, Tarquinius, proceeds to show up at Lucretia’s home, awaken her from bed, and, despite being repeatedly rejected, he rapes her. Lucretia winds up killing {…}