(Credit: Nicholas Pike Facebook) Ana María Martínez attended the Oscars on March 15 alongside the team of “Viva Verdi.” The soprano graced the red carpet alongside composer Nicholas Pike, who was nominated for Best Original Song for “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from the documentary “Viva Verdi.” Martínez was representing the opera community alongside Sonya Yoncheva, who was invited as a {…}
Ana María Martínez will grace the red carpet at the 2025 Oscars for her film “Viva Verdi!” The soprano will join Oscar nominee Nicholas Pike and director Yvonne Russo and producer Christine La Monte for annual awards ceremony on March 15, 2026. The film is nominated for Best Original Song for “Sweet Dreams of Joy” and Martínez joins Luciano Pavarotti {…}
Diane Warren is hitting back at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for excluding three songs from the Oscars broadcast. On Jan. 30, in a letter sent to all music nominees and obtained exclusively by Variety, the Academy announced that only two of the songs nominated for Best Original Song would be performed. The broadcast would include “Golden” {…}
Ana María Martínez will not perform at the Academy Awards after all. In a letter sent to all music nominees and obtained exclusively by Variety, the Academy noted that only two of the songs nominated for Best Original Song will be performed. The broadcast will include “Golden” from the animated musical “KPop Demon Hunters” and “I Lied to You” from {…}
(Credit: Ashkan Roayaee) In early January, “Sweet Dreams of Joy,” the song in the documentary “Viva Verdi,” was shortlisted in the 15 finalists. However, no one gave it a chance as the field included such stars as Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, Billy Idol, Stephen Schwartz and Nine Inch Nails. But on Jan. 22, 2026, when the Academy announced the nominees {…}
On July 30, 2025, soprano Ana María Martínez returns to Ravinia for a special program with pianist Kevin Murphy. The performance marks the soprano’s third appearance with the festival following two notable showcases, both headed by conductor James Conlon. In 2007, the soprano was featured in a gala alongside famed tenor Plácido Doming and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Three years {…}
The LA Opera is set to present the company premiere of Golijov’s “Ainadamar.” The opera will be presented from April 26 through May 18 and will be led by Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados. Deborah Colker’s acclaimed production will be showcased. When the production was shown at the Detroit Opera and Metropolitan Opera, OperaWire said it was a “Special Experience” and {…}
The Ravinia Festival has announced its 2025 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. The festival will present Opera for the Young’s “The Magic Flute.” Performance Date: June 28, 2025 Marin Alsop conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara. Performance Date: July 13, 2025 The CSO & Chorus will be conducted by Marin Alsop {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2025-26 season. The company will open with the Lyric Opening Concert & Gala. Performance Date: Oct. 10, 2025 The first production of the season will be Cherubini’s “Medea“ starring Sondra Radvanovsky in Sir. David McVicar’s production. She will be joined by Matthew Polenzani, Elena Villalón, Zoie Reams, and Alfred Walker. Enrique Mazzola {…}
(Photo credit: Lori Sax) Sarasota Opera is set to host the finals for the third annual national finals of the Schmidt Vocal Competition. The top three winners from each of the 15 regional competitions will compete for a $10,000 first prize. The second prize winner will receive $7,500, and $5,000 will be awarded to the third place winner. On June {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. The season opens with Verdi’s “Il Trovatore“ starring Michael Spyres, Ailyn Perez, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Lucas Meachem, and Morris Robinson. Patrick Summers conducts the production by Stephen Wadsworth. Performance Dates: Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024 Isabel Leonard leads Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” with Jack Swanson, Alessandro Corbelli, Iurii Samoilov, and Cory McGee. Lorenzo Passerini {…}
