Metropolitan Opera, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Renée Fleming & Joyce DiDonato Lead Classical Grammy Nominations

The Grammy Awards have announced their nominations for 2023 with the Metropolitan Opera leading the field in the classical categories. In the Best Opera Recording category Matthew Aucoin’s “Eurydice” was nominated alongside Terrence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut up in my Bones” and Anthony Davis’ “X – The Life And Times Of Malcolm X” “Eurydice” features Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Barry Banks, Nathan Berg, {…}

Oct 14, 2022

Metropolitan Opera to Revive Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’

Verdi’s La Traviata returns to the Metropolitan Opera with three casts. The opera, performed eight times from Oct. 25 to Nov. 19, 2022, will star Stephen Costello, Lucas Salsi, and Nadine Sierra. Maestro Daniele Callegari conducts the production by Michael Mayer. Then between Jan. 5 and 26, 2023, Ermonela Jaho will sing her acclaimed interpretation alongside Ismael Jordi and Amartuvshin {…}

Jul 28, 2022

Arena di Verona Announces Cast Change for ‘La Traviata’

The Arena di Verona has announced a replacement for Angel Blue in “La Traviata” on July 30, 2022. The company noted that Nina Minasyan will sing the role of Violetta. Blue canceled the production earlier this month because the Arena di Verona decided to use Blackface in a production of “Aida.” Blue called the practice “offensive, humiliating, and outright racist.” {…}

Jul 26, 2022

Toledo Opera to Present ‘Blue’

Toledo Opera will present Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s new opera “Blue.” The work will be presented on August 26 and August 28 at 2 p.m. at the Valentine Theatre in Toledo, Ohio. The work, which is influenced by gospel music and uses vivid flashbacks, places timely issues at the forefront of modern opera. Since its world premiere in 2019 {…}

Jul 21, 2022

Zuzana Marková to Replace Angel Blue in Arena di Verona’s ‘La Traviata’

Zuzana Marková is set to replace Angel Blue at the Arena di Verona in a production of “La Traviata.” The Czech soprano took to Instagram to announce her performance on July 22. She said, “Guess where am I? Becoming Violetta tomorrow night!” She posted the photo with the hashtags #latraviata, #violetta, #unexpected, and #vivaverdi. The Arena di Verona did not make {…}

Jul 19, 2022

Angel Blue, Latonia Moore, Lise Davidsen, Lisette Oropesa, & Javier Camarena Headline Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival

The Metropolitan Opera is set to launch its Summer HD Festival this August. After a screening of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” on August 26, the company will showcase “Porgy and Bess” starring Angel Blue and Eric Owens from 2020. Performance Date: August 27, 2022 Next up is “Akhnaten” starring Anthony Roth Costanzo from 2019. Performance Date: August 28, 2022 {…}

Jul 18, 2022

Soprano Angel Blue’s Social Media Accounts Disappear

Following Angel Blue’s high-profile cancelation at the Arena di Verona via social media, the soprano’s Instagram and Facebook pages have disappeared. Blue had posted a Faithful Friday post on July 15 following her July 14 post where she announced she would cancel her “La Traviata” due to the Arena di Verona’s use of blackface. The soprano said, “Dear Friends, Family, {…}

Jul 15, 2022

Arena di Verona Releases Statement Regarding Angel Blue’s Cancelation

The Arena di Verona has released a statement regarding Angel Blue’s decision to cancel her performances of “La Traviata” due to the blackface controversy. The company said, “Fondazione Arena di Verona’s principal aim has always been to create peace through the spread and development of music and art. Culture creates bridges.” The company added, “the current production of ‘Aida’ was {…}

Jul 14, 2022

Angel Blue Cancels Arena di Verona Debut Due to Blackface Controversy

Angel Blue has canceled her debut at the Arena di Verona in a production of “La Traviata.” The soprano took to social media and said, “Dear Friends, Family, and Opera Lovers, I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that I will not be singing La Traviata at Arena di Verona this summer as planned. As many of you know, Arena di {…}

Jul 6, 2022

Christine Goerke, Angel Blue & Key’mon Murrah Lead Detroit Opera’s 2022-23 Season

The Detroit Opera has announced its 2022-23 season. The season opens with Wagner’s “Die Walküre: Act III.” Yuval Sharon directs the act with Sir Andrew Davis conducting. The production will feature a high-tech treatment of the most famous act in Wagner’s Ring Cycle with Christine Goerke starring. Performance dates: Sept. 17-20, 2022 Valerio Galli conducts Gounod’s “Faust” in a production {…}

Jun 22, 2022

Rolando Villazón, Ailyn Pérez, Angel Blue & Susan Graham Lead Santa Fe Opera’s 2023 Season

The Santa Fe Opera has announced its 2023 season and revealed its 19th world premiere slated for 2024. The company noted that in 2024, the company has commissioned a new opera by two of America’s most exciting talents, composer Gregory Spears and former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy K. Smith titled “The Righteous.” The 2023 Season The Santa Fe Opera’s 66th Festival {…}

angel blue