Opera Lafayette announces its 30th anniversary season. Soprano Amel Brahim-Djelloul performs in the Ensemble Amedyez and and Kalanidhi Dance in the opening event, “RE|CLAIM.” Performance Dates: October 21, 22, & 24, 2024 “RE | STORE” events are centered around Edmond Dédé’s “Morgiane.” The cast features sopranos Mary Elizabeth Williams and Lindsey Reynolds, tenor Chauncey Packer, baritone Joshua Conyers, bass-baritone Jonathan {…}
Perhaps it was the eclipse, an event typically devoid of human influence, yet on the evening of April 8, 2024, it seemed to cast an otherworldly aura over Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons’ production of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones.” The production premiered at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 2019 before moving to the Met to sold-out audiences {…}
Knoxville Opera has released its line up for the 2023-24 season. The season will commence with Verdi’s “Falstaff” at the historic Tennessee Theatre. Steven Condy, Kevin Godinez, Derrek Stark, and Tori Patricia Franklin lead the cast. Dean Anthony directs alongside conductor Jorge Parodi. Performance Dates: October 13 & 15, 2023 Starting the new year is Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Anya Matanovič {…}
On Mar. 12, 2023, the Metropolitan Opera revived and gave the Robert Carsen-directed “Falstaff” its season premiere, marking the company’s 193rd performance that crackled with energy and verve. There was electricity in the crowd, as well. At times, an opening night can feel like a final dress rehearsal. This was not one of those times. The show was tight and {…}
Terrance McKnight, commentator, curator, writer, author, pianist, and the weekday evening host of New York’s classical station WQXR will present a new podcast series, “Every Voice with Terrance McKnight.” The series will feature 16 episodes and debut on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. The series highlights voices, histories, and marginalized communities that have been left out of Western classical music. In the first four {…}
Toledo Opera has announced its annual fundraising Opera Gala starring Met Opera tenor Chauncey Packer at the Toledo Club on May 6, 2022. Packer appeared as Spinner in the Met run of Terrence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” and will reprise the role with the Lyric Opera of Chicago later this month. For the Gala, the tenor will perform {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2021-22 season. It all kicks off with a new production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” starring Luca Salsi, Sondra Radvanovsky, Joshua Guerrero and Christian Van Horn. Enrique Mazzola conducts the production by Sir David McVicar. Performance Dates: Sept. 17- Oct. 9, 2021 Enrique Mazzola will conduct “L’Elisir d’Amore” in a production by Daniel Slater. {…}
With opera companies returning in full force digitally, this week’s selections will highlight a mix of repertory staples with some unique and experimental new works. Before we kick off our list, don’t forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera with such programs as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” and Mark {…}
Black Opera Productions has announced a virtual gala aimed at celebrating the career of Jessye Norman. Entitled “Jessye Norman at 75: A Celebration,” will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 at 6 p.m. ET. The program will feature virtual dedication from around the country with performances filmed at the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place. The program will be hosted {…}
Chautauqua Opera has announced its 2020 season, which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment with three main stage operas. “I’m thrilled that our 2020 season will feature such a unique trio of operas, each of which revolves around a powerful female figure who is fighting to forge her own path and have her voice {…}
While the environment outside the Met Opera on opening night was rather subdued in comparison to previous years, there could be no denying the environment inside of the sold-out house. Everywhere you turned, the opera on hand was a major topic of conversation with great excitement over what it might bring. The Gershwin classic, “Porgy and Bess,” hasn’t been at {…}