The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra will present a fully staged production of “West Side Story” on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The production is led by Music Director Julian Kuerti, with stage direction by Chía Patiño and choreography by Erin Moore. The 31-person cast will be headlined by tenor Andrew Bidlack as Tony and soprano Cecilia Violetta López as Maria. Other cast {…}
Opera Las Vegas has appointed Cecilia Violetta López as its next General Director and CEO. López will join the company on July 1, 2025. In a statement, the soprano said, “My life is comprised of a collection of full circle moments and this new chapter of my career is another. I have remained active and connected with the Opera Las {…}
Opera Southwest is set to present The New Mexico Symphonic Chorus performing Handel’s “Mesías” in a new Spanish translation. The concert will make use of a new translation commissioned by the Contra Costa Bach Society and will see the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus return to the company following past collaborations including “Pearl Fishers” in 2014 and “Aida” in 2015. Going {…}
Opera Southwest is set to present “Madama Butterfly” starting on Oct. 27, 2024. The production will run for a total of four performances through Nov. 3 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center-Journal Theatre. Headlining the production will be Cecilia Violetta López as Cio Cio San. She is joined by tenor Hak Soo Kim as Pinkerton and Laurel Semerdjian as Suzuki. {…}
Photo credit: Cory Weaver The original film of the world-premiere production of “The Factotum” by Grammy award-winning baritone Will Liverman, DJ King Rico, and Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj is now available for free streaming through Sept. 5 on Lyric Opera of Chicago’s YouTube channel. The film version of “The Factotum,” which premiered in the spring of this year, features the full {…}
The Florida Grand Opera has announced its 2023-24 season with three renowned operas. The season opens with Verdi’s timeless classic “La Traviata.” The opera will star Cecilia Violetta López, Pavel Petrov, and Troy Cook. Chía Patiño directs and Joe Illick conducts. Performance Dates: Nov. 11 – Dec. 2, 2023 The second opera of the season will be Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci.” It {…}
Opera Orlando’ is set to present “MÉXICO CANTA!” as a lead-up to the MainStage production of “Frida.” The fundraising event will celebrate the art, culture, and music of Mexico on Sept. 9 at the Orlando Museum of Art. The evening will be headlined by soprano Cecilia Violetta López, who will play the title role in Frida. The event will give audiences {…}
Opera Southwest is set to present “Mariposa Que Vuela” on Sept. 23, 2023. The showcase, which kicks off at 6 p.m. local time, will feature soprano Cecilia Violetta López as she presents a “recital autobiográfico” that features mariachi, ranchera, and opera classics. She will be joined by pianist Nate Salazar and musicians from the Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo Mexico. “This {…}
Lyric Fest has reveal a lineup of concerts in the Philadelphia metro area and a revival performance of “Cotton” at New York’s 92nd Street Y. Included in the program is a new commission from composer Benjamin P. Wenzelberg that explores Mexican song. Also on the schedule is a celebration of the renowned song composer Ned Rorem. Featured performers include Michelle {…}
Opera Orlando announced its 2023-24 season, entitled “All for Art.” The season opens with “Tosca” starring Eleni Calenos, Nathan Granner, and Daniel Scofield. Josh Shaw directs and Eiki Isomura conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 27 & 29, 2023 The season features “Frida” in a production by John de los Santos conducted by Jorge Parodi. The opera stars Cecilia Violetta López and {…}
Cecilia Violetta López has joined the cast of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “The Factotum.” She will take over for Gabriella Reyes, who was originally announced as part of the cast. López recently appeared at the Houston Grand Opera in “La Traviata;” she will reprise the role in May with the same company. She will also perform “Rusalka” at Opera {…}