One major opera staple is on this weekend’s list. But the rest are all made up of 20th and 21st century operas, including two works making their world premieres. Here are our top five operas to see this weekend (in alphabetical order by company). Chautauqua Opera Company – The Ghosts of Versailles For one night only, Chautauqua Opera will showcase {…}
(Credit: Philip Groshong) In Greek myth, Theseus cruelly abandons Ariadne on a desert island, but she’s ultimately rescued by Bacchus. Cincinnati Opera, by contrast, abandons Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” to a gimmicky concept from which no rescue is possible. As the rewards — such as they were — of this production proved musical in nature, this review will begin {…}
(Credit: Seattle Opera / Jacob F. Lucas) This weekend, we are recommending some of the best-known works of the repertory in a bevy of productions across the U.S. One repertory staple will be getting a new arrangement in a English. Here are our top five operas to see this week (in chronological order by company). Cincinnati Opera – Porgy and {…}
There are four operas that rarely get performances in North America, making them all the more essential viewing for the weekend. Here are our top five operas to see this weekend (in alphabetical order by company). Billy Budd – Central City Opera Britten’s masterwork kicks off on Saturday with a production conducted by John Baril and directed by Ken Cazan. {…}
The assortment of works on offer this weekend features a look at the United State’s most important document, a classic Shakespeare tale, a classic Bernstein work, a unique zarzuela, and a fascinating take on “The Greatest Opera of All Time.” Figaro 90210! – Chautauqua Opera Eric Einhorn directs this iconic adaptation of the famed opera. Jorge Parodi conducts a production {…}
(Credit: Suzanne Vinnik / Dario Acosta) This weekend’s recommendations are full of variety of repertory spread across the U.S. including two essential world premieres and the performance of a rare work. All of them feature tremendous star power. Here are the five operas that we recommend for your Father’s Day celebration (in alphabetical order by company). The Marriage of Figaro {…}
The Cincinnati Opera has announced its 100th anniversary season which will feature five operas. Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will open the season with Aaron Blake, Rodion Pogossov, and Isabel Leonard headlining the cast. Renato Balsadonna conducts. Performance Dates: June 18 & 20, 2020 The season continues with the world premiere of “Fierce,” an opera by librettist Sheila Williams and composer {…}
The Cincinnati Opera has announced that a major transition is set to come in 2020. The company revealed that Patricia K. Beggs, The Harry Fath General Director and CEO, will retire at the close of the company’s 100th anniversary season after 35 years with the company. As a result, a national search for a new general director will begin. Beggs, {…}
Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music have announced that their groundbreaking joint program, Opera Fusion: New Works, will host two new operas in November and December of 2018. In collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera/Lincoln Center Theater’s New Works Program and LA Opera, the new opera “Eurydice,” by composer Matthew Aucoin and playwright Sarah Ruhl, will receive {…}
As July nears its end, we find new companies starting to open their doors to new productions. Meanwhile some of the mainstays of the last few weekends continue to offer up productions that are simply too good to overlook. Here are our top five picks for the weekend, in alphabetical order by company. Candide – Chautauqua Opera It’s Bernstein’s year, {…}
The Cincinnati Opera has announced its 99th season featuring five productions including a world premiere and numerous top stars for the opera world. The season will also include numerous a number of concerts and programs. Here is a look at what to expect. Productions The season opens with Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” in a production by Stephen Lawless. Soprano Susanna Phillips will {…}