Leah Hawkins, Elza van den Heever, J’Nai Bridges, Will Liverman, Soloman Howard Lead Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2026-27 Season

(Photo credits: Acosta, Brown, Simpson, Adjahoe) Philadelphia Orchestra announces its 2026-27 season. This article only features vocal concerts. Opening night features soloists Leah Hawkins, J’Nai Bridges, Issachah Savage, and Ryan Speedo Green in Beethoven “Symphony” No. 9. They are joined by the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir led by Joe Miller. The U.S. premiere of Hisaishi’s “Orbis” is also slated. Yannick Nézet-Séguin {…}

Dec 12, 2025

Lise Davidsen, Sophie Bevan, Iestyn Davies & Carolyn Sampson Lead Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts’ 2026 Season

The Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts has announced its 2026 season which will be held between June 12 and 28, 2026. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Festival Academy Masterclass will be led by Lise Davidsen. She will coach alumni singers from the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme, each accompanied by acclaimed pianist James Baillieu. Performance {…}

May 5, 2025

Natalie Dessay, René Pape, Eva Zaïcik, Kristian Benedikt & Carolyn Sampson Leads New CD/DVD Releases

Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week, a diva says goodbye to classical music, while there are several rare operas and oratorios. Here are this week’s new releases. Dog Days / Thumbprint Bright Shiny Things reissues two operas that have been out of print for nearly two years: {…}

Jan 16, 2025

Mary Bevan, Nicky Spence, Carolyn Sampson, Louise Alder Headline Bliss International Song Series 2025

Bliss International Song Series has unveiled its 2025 season. First up is a showcase featuring soprano Louise Alder, tenor Mauro Peter, and pianist Joseph Middleton as they tackle Wolf’s “Italienisches Liederbuch.” Performance Date: Feb. 6, 2025 Sir Thomas Allen will provide a public masterclass, working with students of the Cambridge University Lieder Scheme. Performance Date: Feb. 11, 2025 Then comes Carolyn Sampson {…}

Aug 12, 2024

Dame Sarah Connolly, Will Liverman, Roderick Williams, & Lucy Crowe Among Performers in Oxford International Song Festival 2024

(Photo credits: Crowley, Cadisch, & Simpson) The Oxford International Song Festival has announced its 2024 season lineup. Baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Natalie Burch open the Festival with Schubert’s “Schwanengesang.” Performance Date: October 11, 2024 Soprano Carolyn Sampson and pianist Joseph Middleton present a works by Robert and Clara Schumann. Performance Date: October 12, 2024 Dame Sarah Connolly and Joseph Middleton {…}

May 26, 2024

Festival de Torroella de Montgrí Announces 2024 Season

The Festival de Torroella de Montgrí in Girona, Spain has announced its 2024 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Sunhae Im, Núria Rial, Xavier Sabata, and Juan Sancho star in Händel’s “Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno.” Dani Espasa conducts. Performance Date: August 3, 2024 William Christie conducts Purcell’s “The Fairy Queen” with Paulina Francisco, Georgia {…}

May 23, 2024

Arianna Vendittelli, Jakub Józef Orliński, Luigi De Donato, & Benedetta Mazzucato Star in the 2024 Innsbruck Festival of Early Music

Programming for the 2024 Innsbruck Festival of Early Music has been announced. This article only features vocal performances. First up is a workshop for the upcoming performances of Giacomelli’s “Cesare in Egitto.” Soloists include Arianna Vendittelli, Emőke Barath, Filippo Mineccia, Margherita Maria Sala, Valerio Contaldo, and Federico Fiorio. Ottavio Dantone conducts the Accademia Bizantina. Performance Date: July 27, 2024 (Tyrolean {…}

May 20, 2024

Julia Blasco, Carolyn Sampson, Alexander Vinogradov, Anna Lena Elbert, Chen Reiss Headline Quincena Musical de San Sebastián’s 2024 Season

The Quincena Musical de San Sebastián has announced its 2024 slate. Here is a rundown of the classical vocal performances on offer. Sopranos Julia Blasco and Suzana Nadejde take on works by Mozart, Puccini, Schubert, Offenbach, Rossini, and Brahms alongside pianist Jorge Robaina and clarinettist Javier Povedano. Performance Date: August 1, 2024 Countertenor Nacho Castellanos and pianist Mario Marzo take on {…}

May 11, 2024

Lise Davidsen, Andrè Schuen, Fleur Barron & Michael Volle Lead Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season

The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” will be conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and star Mark Padmore, Camilla Tilling, Magdalena Kožená, Andrew Staples, Roderick Williams, and Georg Nigl. Performance Dates: Sept. 26 & 27, 2024 Sir Simon Rattle conducts music by De {…}

May 10, 2024

Aida Garifullina, Sondra Radvanovsky & Jonathan Tetelman lead Festival Internacional Santander’s 2024 Season

Spain’s Festival Internacional Santander has announced its 2024 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Aida Garifullina opens the season with James Gaffigan conducting a program of Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky. Performance Date: August 3, 2024 Lucia Caihuela and Il Fervore perform baroque works. Performance Dates: August 4 & 5, 2024 Sondra Radvanovsy and Jonathan Tetelman perform a {…}

May 3, 2024

Jamie Barton, Mary Bevan, & Dame Sarah Connolly Star in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season

(Photo credit: Thalhammer & Pledger) The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has announced its lineup for the 2024-25 season. This article only features vocal works. Soprano Mary Bevan opens the season with a program of works by Schubert. Edward Gardner conducts. Performance Date: July 17, 2024 Soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, tenor Nicky Spence, and baritone Jonathan Lemalu serves {…}