Saturday, April 13, 2019 saw the second performance of the Manhattan School of Music’s production of the Springtime favorite, “Albert Herring.” With the production running for three nights, each night featured a different cast, comprised of students from the school’s Senior Opera Theater, headed by conductor Jorge Parodi and director Dona D. Vaughn. This effervescent work, composed by Benjamin Britten, {…}
Benjamin Britten, born on Nov. 22, 1913, is arguably the greatest English composer of all time. He composed a plethora of major works across a wide variety of classical styles, but he was easily one of the most influential opera composers of the 20th century. His first “opera” was “Paul Bunyan,” which had its premiere on May 5, 1941. “Peter {…}
As far as opera composers in the English language go, Benjamin Britten is arguably the greatest there has ever been. Born on Nov. 22, 1913, Britten would go on to compose many of the staples of the modern opera repertoire. “Peter Grimes” is widely considered one of the greatest works in the repertory, while “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Billy {…}
On Friday, October 26, tenor Paul Appleby was joined by pianist Natalia Katyukova for an evening of lieder and songs from Benjamin Britten, George Frederic Handel, Franz Schubert, and more. This night also saw the world premiere of “Songs of Imagined Love,” a new cycle from composer Hannah Lash, which drew inspiration from the works of Schubert. While most of {…}
Madison Lyric Stage has announced a production of Benjamin Britten’s chamber opera, “The Turn of the Screw,” that is sure to be a highlight of the Halloween season. An audience of no more than 35 will be able to experience Britten’s haunting opera inside the historic Deacon John Grave House located in Madison, Connecticut. Constructed in 1685, the house will {…}
Entering into its third season, the Concerts at Saint Thomas has announced its line-up of performances. The season, which opens on Oct. 5, will see the inauguration of the new Miller-Scott Organ, which will be prominently featured throughout the season in a number of different concerts. Highlights of the 2018-19 season include Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” Handel’s “Messiah,” and more, including {…}
First premiering at the Royal Opera House on December 1st, 1951, Benjamin Britten’s “Billy Budd” is based on a novel of the same name by Herman Melville, author of the famed sea-faring story “Moby Dick.” The libretto was by E.M. Forster in collaboration with Eric Crozier. As Britten composed the score for “Billy Budd,” a one-act opera based on the {…}
English composer Benjamin Britten holds a reputation as one of the most prolific figures in 20th-century music. With a massive centennial celebration held worldwide just four years ago, his legacy is still preserved today as opera houses around the world continue to stage his legendary pieces. Britten was born on Nov. 22, 1913, and not a day has gone by where {…}
There may be no more haunting work in opera than Benjamin Britten’s “Peter Grimes,” the story of an outsider accused twice of murder by his community. It has been called the greatest British opera that has ever been written by director Keith Warner, who helmed Oper Frankfurt’s current production of this spellbinding work. “Peter Grimes” is based on an early {…}
This week we continue our celebration of pride month. We’ve now looked at some of the most popular LGBT operas and commemorated Harvey Milk and Stonewall. Now OperaWire looks at some of the legendary composers in opera and classical music who were part of the LGBT community. Some of these composers were unfortunately never able to be open about their {…}
Benjamin Britten’s “Peter Grimes” had its world premiere on June 7, 1945, and was immediately an operatic success. Hailed as a masterwork, Britten’s most famous opera has been a major staple in almost every opera house around the world. And while there have been numerous tenors that have staked their claim on the role, there are perhaps no artists better {…}