On March 31, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions were brought to a thrilling conclusion with their grand finals concert. Hosted by countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, nine young finalists took to the Metropolitan’s stage for the first time to share their artistic gifts with the audience. Opening the afternoon’s concert was soprano Meghan Kasanders, singing “Dich, teure Halle’ from {…}
The Boston Baroque will present Monteverdi’s “L’incoronazione di Poppea” with a starry cast. The company announced that soprano Amanda Forsythe will perform the title role alongside countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo making his Boston Baroque debut as Nero. The cast will also include contralto Emily Marvosh as Ottavia, Ryan Belongie as Ottone, tenor Brian Giebler as Arnalta, bass Kevin Langan as Seneca, {…}
Every year the Metropolitan Opera throws in some surprises, whether in repertoire or in casting choices. Sometimes those casting choices are curve-balls that include important returns to the stage. This season, OperaWire is spotlighting six major artists that have not performed on the Met stage in years and will be pleasant surprises to hear and see in 2019-20. Kate Lindsey {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2019-20 season with five new productions, a New Year’s Eve gala, and a recital. Here is a look at what to expect. New Productions The season opens with Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” in a new production by James Robinson. The production stars Eric Owens and Kevin Short sharing the title role of Porgy and {…}
The Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts has announced its 2019 summer season, which will feature some of the greatest vocal performers in the world. While the program includes a plethora of instrumental music and performances, our focus for the purposes of this article will be to highlight singers and any opera productions. First up will be “Versaille: Portrait {…}
The New York Premiere of “Glass Handel” has added tickets to its first two performances at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Nov. 26 and 27. The event, which sees the countertenor perform alongside Eric Jacobsen and The Knights in music by Handel and Philip Glass in an innovative setting, was sold out months in advance. However, the {…}
Anthony Roth Costanzo leads the world premiere to an innovative showcase entitled “Glass Handel.” Per a press release from Opera Philadelphia ‘”Glass Handel’ is one of two innovative and thought-provoking world premiere productions that highlight O18, the second edition of Opera Philadelphia’s annual season-opening festival.” The new work will see Costanzo collaborate with producer Cath Brittan and avant-garde fashion/art company {…}
This weekend is going to be packed with some really fun productions from around the country. A few horror operas will be showcased on the west coast while out east, you can preview two classic Italian comedies. Here are our top five picks in alphabetical order by company. L’Incoronozione di Poppea – Cincinnati Opera Anthony Roth Costanzo, Sarah Shafer, Sarah {…}
It’s Pride month, so to celebrate we return to the series we began last year. This time we celebrate some of the great singers of today who have been advocates to the LGBT community or who simply enjoy a life being out and proud. David Daniels David Daniels has been one of the biggest proponents of the baroque repertoire and {…}
In response to the increasing interest surrounding Matthew Aucoin’s “Orphic Moments,” the cast from National Sawdust in 2016 reformed this past week at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Additionally, MasterVoices was part of the performance in the new space. The 130 member chorus, which specializes in multiple genres of music, added not only an inspirational dimension of {…}
The English National Opera has announced its 2018-19 season with five new Productions including a World Premiere, four revivals, and two collaborations. The season will include contemporary pieces and bold new takes on seminal works to audience-favorite classic stagings. The season kicks off with a new production of Strauss’ “Salome” by Adena Jacobs. Conductor Martyn Brabbins leads the production with Allison {…}