Ginaia Black, Erin Roth Thomas, Nathaniel Catasca, & Matthew Maisano Among Portland Opera’s 2024-25 Resident Artists

Portland Opera has announced its selections for the company’s Resident Artist program for the 2024-25 season. The artists in residence for the 60th anniversary season are soprano Ginaia Black, mezzo-soprano Erin Roth Thomas, tenor Nathaniel Catasca, and baritone Matthew Maisano. Collaborative pianist Claire Forstman returns for a second year. For eight months, the residents will study with primary vocal coach Paul {…}

Jun 29, 2024

Celebrity Series of Boston Announces Neighborhood Arts 2024-25 Season

The Celebrity Series of Boston has released the details of its 2024-25 Neighborhood Arts season. Neighborhood Arts partners with the Mission Hill Arts Festival for the third year this summer to present free concerts and arts education events across Boston. In a press release, Robin Baker, Associate Director of Community Engagement, says, “We invite you to experience the rich tapestry {…}

Feb 29, 2024

Justin Austin Stars in New York Premiere of Damien Geter’s ‘COTTON’

(Photo credit: Gillian Riesen & Rachel Hadiashar) Justin Austin, the 2024 Marian Anderson Vocal Award winner, is set to star in the New York premiere of Damien Geter’s “COTTON.” The multimedia work presents African American stories through song, poetry, and photography. It is inspired by photographer John E. Dowell’s haunting images of South Carolina cotton fields, captured in his 2018 {…}

Jan 17, 2024

Virginia Opera to Present Damien Geter’s ‘Cotton’

Virginia Opera is set to present Damien Geter’s “Cotton.” The song cycle, which premiered as part of LyricFest’s 20th anniversary season, celebrates African-American heritage through a fusion between music and poetry inspired by the photography of Philadelphia artist John Dowell. Audiences will hear baritone Adam Richardson and mezzo-soprano Tesia Kwarteng, with the composer attending select performances. Performances kick off on {…}

Jul 25, 2023

Audra McDonald, Anne Sofie von Otter, Fleur Barron, Denyce Graves, & Justin Austin Lead 92NY’s 2023-24 Tisch Music Season

The 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY) announced its 150th anniversary celebration and the 2023-24 Tisch Music season featuring a star-studded cast. This article only features classical vocal performances. Audra McDonald and pianist and music director Andy Einhorn present “An Evening with Audra McDonald” for the 92NY 150th Anniversary event. Performance Dates: October 12 & 13, 2023 Mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie {…}

Nov 21, 2022

Seattle Symphony Announces Holiday Slate of Performances

The Seattle Symphony has announced its lineup of holiday concerts at Benaroya Hall. This year marks the first time since 2019 that the symphony will perform its full suite of programs in person. Among the events is the tradition of Handel’s “Messiah” featuring soprano Nicole Cabell, contralto Sara Couden, tenor Steven Soph, bass Damien Geter, and the Seattle Symphony Chorale {…}

Jul 29, 2022

Glimmerglass Festival 2022 to Deliver World Premiere Of ‘Holy Ground’

Damien Geter and Lila Palmer’s new opera “Holy Ground” will make its world premiere at the 2022 Glimmerglass Festival. “Holy Ground” is a reimagining of the biblical story of Mary and the choice to become a mother. Although the subject matter of the work is heavy and relevant to current events, the opera is set as a comedy. Palmer remarks, {…}

Jun 3, 2022

Portland Opera Commissions New Opera ‘Jubilee’ for 2026

(Photo credit: R Hadiashar) Portland Opera has announced the commission of “Jubilee,” a new opera by Damien Geter and Lorene Cary. The work, which will have its world premiere in March of 2026, will showcase the story of the original Fisk University Jubilee Singers and connect it with the current iteration of the ensemble. The opera will feature eight operatic {…}

Feb 26, 2022

Damien Geter, Joelle Lamarre to Headline CSO Music Now’s ‘Night of Song’

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will kick off the CSO MusicNow series on March 14, 2022 with a “Night of Song” curated by composer-in-residence Jessie Montgomery. The program will feature the world premiere of “The Bronze Legacy,” a new commission from Damien Geter; a 2018 song cycle by Dale Trumbore; and world premiere arrangements by Ayanna Woods and Shawn Okpebholo. Geter, {…}

Sep 28, 2021

Damien Geter Named Interim Music Director of Portland Opera

Portland Opera has announced that Damien Geter will take on the position of interim Music Director beginning Oct. 1. Geter is an accomplished composer, bass-baritone, and actor. His library of compositions includes chamber, orchestral, and vocal works that focus on social justice. He has been seen on the operatic stage with Portland Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, and many {…}

Apr 19, 2021

Elīna Garanča, Michelle Johnson, Saioa Hernandez, Benjamin Bernheim, Marina Rebeka Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

There are a lot of unique experiences to be had via streaming in the opera world this week and we’re excited to share our top 10 choices. A star soprano. Rising opera stars. The future of opera. A new work filmed in a major museum. Lots of Verdi and Mozart. All of these and more are on offer. So let’s {…}