Many who visit OperaWire regularly have their various interests in what one might call, operatic “rarities”–works that have achieved, to an extent, legendary status despite being seldom staged. As an avid lover of Hector Berlioz’s archetypal romantic career, I devoured both the Barzun and Cairns biographies of the composer more than once. And such a rarity mentioned was Spontini’s “La {…}
Piedmont Opera announces its 49th season. Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” opens the season. Benjamin Werley, Cadie J. Bryan, and Jonathan Bryan are among the cast. Chas Rader-Shieber directs. Joseph Mechavich conducts the Winston-Salem Symphony. Performance Dates: November 8, 9, & 11, 2025 A festive in-home Holiday Concert features soprano Jill Gardner and pianist Joseph Mechavich. Performance Date: December 5, 2025 Bass-baritone Richard {…}
(Photo credit: Curtis Brown) The Santa Fe Opera has announced two free community events for the 2024 Festival Season. Opening Nights Radio Broadcasts in partnership with 95.5 KHFM Classical Public Radio will present free, live-recorded radio broadcasts of the opera’s 2024 Season opening nights, airing at 6 pm MDT on Mondays from July 29 through Aug. 26. Following the air date, {…}
(Photo credit: Curtis Brown) The Santa Fe Opera has announced the 44 members of its 2024 Apprentice Program for Singers. The class of 2024 was selected from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants by Program Director Gayletha Nichols; Manager, Casting and Apprentice Program for Singers Chandler Johnson; Chief Artistic Officer David Lomelí; and Chorus Master Susanne Sheston through a {…}
