La Monnaie De Munt has been recognized for its scenography of “Das Rheingold” by the French Comité du Syndicat de la Critique. The production directed and designed by Romeo Castellucci received the award at the Prix de la critique 2022-23 ceremony on June 6. The event was held at the Paris Théâtre de la Ville-Sarah Bernhardt. La Monnaie De Munt’s {…}
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a rundown of the classical vocal performances on offer. Karl-Heinz Steffens conducts music by Vaughan Williams, Beethoven, and Holst. The program features the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus. Performance Dates: Oct. 2 & 4, 2024 Soprano Anna Devin and baritone Andrew Foster-Williams will be featured in a program that includes works by {…}
The Houston Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal highlights. The season opens with Juraj Valčuha conducting Erin Morley in a program of music by Messiaen, Poulenc, and Ravel. Performance Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023 Juraj Valčuha conducts Brahms’ “German Requiem” with soloists Lauren Snouffer and Andrew Foster-Williams. The program also includes Takemitsu’s Requiem {…}
(Credit: Detlef Kurth) Tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz will no longer be appearing in the Barrie Kosky’s production of Offenbach‘s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” at the Komische Oper Berlin. As a result, tenor Ric Furman will take over his performances, and will sing the entire run. Furman joins a cast that includes Sydney Mancasola as the Four Heroines, Andrew Foster-Williams as the Four {…}
With opera companies returning in full force digitally, this week’s selections will highlight a mix of repertory staples with some unique and experimental new works. Before we kick off our list, don’t forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera with such programs as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” and Mark {…}
Credit: Gregor Hohenberg/Sony Gramophone has announced the recordings that have advanced to the final round of the Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2020. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on vocal, choral, and opera categories. The first contestant in the opera category is the Barber’s “Vanessa,” performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Glyndebourne Chorus, under the musical {…}
We are now entering the final weeks of summer, which means that opera companies in Europe will be in full swing while many opera companies in North America will start to test the waters with their brand new digital seasons. Nonetheless, the streaming has continued at a steady clip with another set of unique offerings coming your way this week. {…}
Glyndebourne has announced the latest operas that it will be streaming as part of its Open House program. First up will be David McVicar’s production of “Giulio Cesare” starring Danielle de Niese as Cleopatra and Sarah Connolly as Cesare. Other cast members include Alexander Ashworth, Patricia Bardon, Angelika Kirchschlager, Rachid Ben Abdeslam, Christophe Dumaux, and Christopher Maltman. William Christie conducts. Streaming {…}
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic has announced its 2020-21 season marking the final season for music director Vasily Petrenko. For this article we will only focus on vocal performances. Ian Tracey conducts the Spirit of Christmas concert with John Suchet as the present and baritone Thomas Weinhappel. The Royal Liverpool Choir and youth choir will also participate in an evening of {…}
(Credit: Lars Borges) The Seattle Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2020-21 season. Here is a look at the vocal highlights of the season. The first major vocal highlight of the season will be Audra McDonald performing music from “Porgy and Bess,” “Carousel,” and other notable Broadway tuned alongside conductor Andy Einhorn. Performance Date: Oct. 20, 2020 Soprano Nuria Rial will take {…}
The Utah Symphony has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a diverse program. For this article we will only highlight the vocal programming. Shiyeon Sung conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with soloists Celena Shafer, Kirstin Chávez, Arnold Livingston Geis and Andrew Foster-Williams. The concert will also include Mozart’s “Ave verum corpus” and “Misericordias domini” as well as Arlene Sierra’s “Aquilo.” Performance {…}