Baritone Alexander Birch Elliott is set to make his Houston Grand Opera debut when he replaces Mariusz Kwiecien in the company’s production of “The Pearl Fishers.” Per a press release, Kwiecien, who was set to take on the role of Zurga, has withdrawn “due to personal circumstances.” Elliott also replaced Kwiecien at the Met Opera’s recent revival of the work. {…}
The Glow Lyric Theatre has announced its 2019 festival season, which will be the company’s ninth overall. As per usual, the GLT will feature an opera, a musical theatre piece, and an operetta, all connecting to a specific theme. This year’s theme centers on the concept of “Questioning Authority.” In recent years, the company has showcased such operas as “Romeo {…}
Earlier this year, mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta took home the award for Young Singer of the Year at the International Opera Awards. To that point, she has been growing her career steadily as an ensemble member at the Oper Leipzig, among others endeavors. But the victory propelled her into the spotlight and since then, Giunta has made her BBC Proms debut {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Wash Westlemoreland’s “Colette.” {…}
For just the third time in Metropolitan Opera history, Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” will receive a revival. The opera had its Met premiere on Jan. 11, 1896, but only two of its acts were performed. The first full performance of the opera would have to wait 20 years when it appeared on opening night, Nov. 13, 1916. The cast {…}
It was 2014 at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Clémentine Margaine, a graduate of the Paris Conservatory and winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Concours International de Marmande, was an ensemble member of the company who had just been handpicked by the casting director of the company to sing the title role of “Carmen.” “I was very lucky that {…}
On Tuesday, Oct. 30, the Met Opera opens “Carmen,” which will be the sixth opera of its season. The revival will feature a total of 13 performances across two runs, with two decidedly different casts, with one exception. Clémentine Margaine will return to the Met with her signature role, which she has performed around the globe. Per Operabase, Margaine has {…}
Georges Bizet, born on Oct. 25, 1838, created perhaps the most popular opera of all-time. Unfortunately died without knowing that. Bizet had a solid start to his career, winning the prestigious Prix de Rome during his student years at the Conservatoire de Paris. But that never translated into a sturdy opera career, with Bizet finding his works largely ignored. He {…}
Sir Anthony Hopkins is a world-famous actor who also happens to be a gifted composer. Despite his considerable musical skills, he has made it quite clear that he is unqualified to direct an opera. In Poland, Andrzej Chyra enjoys A-list celebrity status as a one of the country’s foremost film and television actors. He is also probably partial to the {…}
The Mill City Summer Opera will kick off a summer production of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Milly City Ruin Courtyard starting on July 13, 2018. The production, which will be directed by Fenlon Lamb, will star Audrey Babcock as the title character with Adam Diegel as Don José and Karen Slack as Micaëla. Luis Orozco stars as Escamillo. The production {…}
Is Bizet’s “Carmen” the most famous opera in the entire universe? That is certainly a valid question given the fact that almost no opera company in the world can live without the perennial favorite in a single season of programming. While it’s rich and evocative melodies are certainly one of the major reasons for its enduring popularity, there is no {…}