For any fans who still believe classical music is confined to opulent concert halls, only to be enjoyed by the pillars of society, meet The Knights. Founded by brothers Colin and Eric Jacobsen, this adventurous 40-member chamber orchestra performs everything from Beethoven to Jimi Hendrix. Born into a musical family, with a father who played in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, {…}
Throughout history, many opera stars have managed to make the crossover to Broadway and musical theatre, enjoying successful careers in both. Most recently, Renée Fleming earned raves for her work in “Carousel” on Broadway. Paolo Szot is another in recent years who has also managed a successful development in both arenas as well. Coloratura soprano Meghan Picerno is another taking {…}
Leonard Bernstein is the composer’s seminal theatrical work, a work that has suddenly become ever-present around the United States. Almost every major company or concert hall has mounted some iteration of the work in the last year or so to celebrate the composer’s centennial birthday. And this was the case at the legendary Carnegi Hall, which held a benefit concert {…}
The Washington National Opera is preparing to finish off its 2017-18 season, celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s centennial anniversary with his “opera” “Candide.” The run kicks off on May 6, 2018, at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The celebration is set to feature an all-star cast that includes tenor Alek Shrader in his WNO debut. He will take on the title role {…}
Barcelona’s Grand Teatre del Liceu has announced its 2018-19 season, presenting a number of exciting, fully-staged or concert-style productions, as well as a number of recital performances. A full list of all works in the 2018-19 season can be found on Gran Teatre del Liseu’s website. The Ring Without Words Josep Pons will be conducting Lorin Maazel’s 90-minute arrangement of {…}
Carnegie Hall has announced a performance of Bernstein’s “Candide” for one night only on April 18, 2018. In celebration of Bernstein’s centennial, Carnegie Hall has lined up an all-star cast that will include Paul Appleby in the title role, Erin Morley as Cunegonde, Patricia Racette as the Old Lady, William Burden as Governor, and Lithgow as Voltaire/Dr. Pangloss. Remaining cast members {…}
Making its premiere on December 1st, 1956, Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” is adapted from a novella of the same name written by the Enlightenment-era philosopher Voltaire. Being a comic operetta, it satirizes the prevailing attitudes of Voltaire’s time, particularly those of the church and of monarchism. Playwright and librettist Lillian Hellman saw clear parallels between the Inquisition of Voltaire’s time and {…}
Kelsey Grammer will make his opera debut. The TV actor will make his debut in the Los Angeles Opera’s 2017-18 production of “Candide,” which is slated to celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s centennial. Grammer will take on the roles of Voltaire, author of the 1759 satirical novella, and Dr. Pangloss, the famously upbeat guru to the book’s title character. Grammer is a 16-time Emmy {…}
Before starting its 2017 season, the Santa Fe Opera has announced its 2018 season with a company premiere. The company will hold its premiere of “Candide” to celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s centennial. The musical opened on Broadway in 1956 and closed after 72 performances. However, the work continues to performed by numerous companies and is Bernstein’s most popular stage work. For {…}
The Palm Beach Opera has announced its 2018 season, which will feature three operas. The Florida-based company will open its 2018 season on Jan. 26 with a production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The run will feature a total of three performances with soprano Keri Alkema taking on the first and last show while Alexandra Loutsion getting the middle date. The same {…}
The Los Angeles Opera’s 2017-18 season promises to feature a number of major classics and some new works as well. Carmen In total there are eight operas, including “Carmen” which kicks off the new season on Sept. 9. The 6-show run stars Ana María Martinez in the title role while Amanda Woodbury plays Michaela. Alexander Vinogradov portrays Escamillo and James {…}