Seattle Opera has produced a riveting production of the new opera “Blue,” composed by Jeanine Tesori to the libretto of Tazewell Thompson, who also directed. “Blue” shines a searing light on issues of racism, violence, and the loss that result. Everthing comes together for this West Coast premiere to create a gripping, enlightening, and moving experience. Originally commissioned by The {…}
Toledo Opera has announced that it will be presenting a virtual dialogue with the creators of “Blue” in anticipation of the company’s presentation of the work this summer. The virtual event, which is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. local time, will feature a dialogue with composer Jeanine Tesori and librettist Tazewell Thompson. The conversation will be moderated {…}
(Credit: Karli Cadel) Seattle Opera is set to continue its 2021-22 season with a number of performances and events. Leading the season’s lineup is Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s “Blue,” named the 2020 winner of Best New Opera by the Music Critics Association of North America. The story follows a family and their community coming together in the wake of {…}
Michigan Opera Theatre has officially announced details for its upcoming production of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s “Blue.” The company, which had announced the opera as part of its 2021-22 season, has revealed that it will be directed by Kaneza Schall, whose work has been shown at Brooklyn Academy of Music, LA Philharmonic, The Shed, The Kennedy Center, Walker Arts {…}
In partnership with New York’s flagship classical radio station, WQXR, Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival kicked off on Monday, August 10. The annual summer festival has been a fixture of the New York art scene since 1966, and the organization forged a path to keep the tradition in a safe way as COVID-19 continues battering the United States. This Friday, August {…}
(Credit: Fabian Obispo) The Manhattan School of Music has announced that opera and theatre director Tazewell Thompson has been named as their Director of Opera Studies, effective immediately. He will be responsible for developing the artistic vision of the program, teaching and directing the students in the Senior Opera Theatre program, and shaping performance opportunities for graduate students. As a {…}
We are deep into the summer, but opera has not stopped. We are getting live performances throughout Europe and still getting full slates of online opera offerings. So for this week’s recommendations, we are looking at a wide range of options, including a few classic works, a recital from two major opera stars, and a lot of new operas. As {…}
On June 17th, the Music Critics Association of North America (MCANA) announced “Blue” as the winner of its Fourth Annual Award for Best New Opera. “Blue,” composed by Jeanine Tesori with libretto by Tazewell Thompson, premiered at the Glimmerglass Festival in July 2019 and tells the story of an African American couple residing in Harlem, New York City. The couple’s {…}
The Washington National Opera is set to present the D.C. premiere of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s poignant new opera “Blue.” The work is inspired by contemporary events and black literature, including Ta-Nehisi Coates’s “Between the World and Me” and James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time.” Blue centers on the hopes and fears of a young black couple in Harlem {…}