This week, two debut albums will dominate the headlines. There is also a DVD release of an acclaimed production. Here are our recommendations. Overture Ben Bliss has released his new album “Overture” on streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Google Play among others. The new album features music from Bernstein, Donizetti, and Mozart, among others. Street Scene Bel {…}
(source: San Francisco Symphony Official Website) San Francisco once again hosted Handel’s “Messiah,” in time for the holidays. Conducted by Ragnar Bohlin, by the San Francisco Chorus, the San Francisco chamber ensemble, and four excellent soloists, Theshowcase was musically vibrant, satisfying and festive. If you ever thought the “Halleiuah Chorus” was “all the Messiah,” all you had to do was {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is set to present “Don Giovanni’ in a production by Robert Falls. The revival of the production that premiered during the 2014-15 season will star Ildar Abdrazakov and Davide Luciano, both making Lyric debuts in the title role. They will appear alongside Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Donna Anna and Ben Bliss as Don Ottavio. Other cast {…}
On Monday, June 10, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera’s annual Summer Recital Series was launched amidst stormy weather. Lovers of opera braved the rain to gather at Central Park’s Summer Stage for an evening of arias and duets sung by Metropolitan Opera artists Nathan Gunn, Ben Bliss, and Ying Fang. Through the cloudy sky and almost constant veneer of rain, their {…}
The Glyndebourne Festival has announced its 2020 season featuring two company premieres, three new productions, and three revivals. It will also feature international artists and some company favorites. The Glyndebourne festival will open with the first production of Poulenc’s “Dialogues des Carmélites.” The new production will be directed by Barrie Kosky and will be conducted by Music Director Robin Ticciati. Danielle {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2019 Summer Recital Series. The series, now in its 11th year, will feature six free concerts and will be presented in collaboration with City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage Festival. The first two concerts will take place on Monday, June 10 at Central Park SummerStage and Wednesday, June 12 at Brooklyn Bridge Park; they will feature {…}
San Francisco Symphony has announced its 2019-20 season, which marks the 25th and final season of Michael Tilson Thomas’ distinguished tenure as Music Director. For the purposes of this article, we will focus primarily on vocal performances. The season will start off with a concert led by Michael Tilson Thomas featuring tenor Nicholas Phan and cellist Oliver Herbert, along with {…}
The Lyric Opera of Kansas City has announced its 2019-20 season which will include four main staged productions. Of these four operas, there will be two new productions and a Kansas City premiere. All performances will be accompanied by members of the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. Here is a look! Main Stage The season opens with “The Abduction from the Seraglio” starring {…}
On December 19, 2018, The Metropolitan Opera premiered this season’s run of Mozart’s musical drama “The Magic Flute.” This production by Julie Taymor is notable for its English translation, abridged running time, and opulent presentation; these features concentrated the drama and allegorical meaning which would unfold in the hands of the company’s cast of artists. Squaring the Circle Taymor’s production {…}
It’s the holiday season and that means that the Metropolitan Opera is putting on Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in its English iteration. This season’s revival will feature a number of veterans in this production, as well as some new faces. Erin Morley will headline as Pamina. She debuted at the Met in 2008 and has amassed 87 performances to date {…}
PBS will showcase “Così Fan Tutte” from the Metropolitan Opera as part of its Great Performances Series on Sunday, July 29, 2018. The broadcast will kick off at 12 p.m. EDT and will star Kelli O’Hara, Amanda Majeski, Adam Plachetka, Ben Bliss, Christopher Maltman, and Serena Malfi under the musical direction of David Robertson. The production, set on Coney Island {…}