“The poem with this music is complete.” The final line to composer Shawn E. Okpebholo’s “Romance” reveals, in essence, the method behind Lawrence Brownlee and pianist Kevin J. Miller’s newest release, “Rising,” on Warner Classics: Setting poetry from the Harlem Renaissance to song. With its 29 tracks, the album includes texts from writers such as Langston Hughes, Alice Dunbar Nelson, {…}
Lawrence Brownlee has announced “Rising,” a project aimed at commissioning new works by African-American composers. Per an official press statement, Brownlee has commissioned new works by such composers as Damien Sneed, Brandon Spencer, Jasmine Barnes, Joel Thompson, and Shawn E. Okpebholo. Writers of the Harlem Renaissance inspired their works, including Alice Dunbar Nelson, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, and James Weldon {…}
The Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is set to present Damien Sneed‘s concert “Our Song, Our Story.” The concert will highlight well-known operatic arias, art songs, and spirituals. The solo and duet performances will pay homage to two iconic Black singers, Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman. Repertoire includes works by Händel, Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Strauss, Gershwin, Margaret Bonds, Harry T. {…}
The Oratorio Society of New York (OSNY) announced the winners of its 44th Annual Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition Finals, which was held on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Here are the winners: Soprano Emily Cedriana Donato won First Place, receiving the Andrew R. Preis Award and a $7,000 prize. In Second Place, soprano Emily Yocum Black took home the Meyerson/Zwanger Award, along {…}
With live performances returning to the stage, OperaWire will continue its weekly artist of the week series highlighting some of the world’s greatest artists as they reach milestones in their careers. And this week will be an exciting one at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as the company will world premiere the News Works Bold Voices Lab featuring three {…}
If you’re looking for some classic operas, this week has quite a few of them in store. If new operas are more your thing, then get ready for a couple of world premieres. But if all you want is some concerts featuring operatic superstars, then you can be content with some of the offerings this week as well. So without {…}
(Credit: Jessica Osber Photography) Opera Saratoga has announced that it will present “A Tribute to Langston Hughes” on May 21, 2021 as part of its America Sings Digital Concert Series. The showcase, which will stream via the company’s official website, will star baritone Justin Austin and pianist / composer Damien Sneed as they take on music by Margaret Bonds, Robert {…}
Tulsa Opera has announced an additional performance of its “Greenwood Overcomes” program on May 2, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The program is also being performed on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. That first showcase will be streamed on the company’s official website. In a press release, the company cited “high demand” as the reason for adding its {…}
Opera Saratoga has announced a brand new partnership with Caffè Lena to produce “America Sings,” a new online series that feature BIPOC artists. The series will launch on Nov. 19 with a concert performance featuring mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel alongside pianist Giovanni Reggioli as they take on music by George Gershwin, Billy Strayhorn, Richard Rogers, Erroll Garner, Richard Wagner, and William {…}
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 {…}
(Credit: Lynn Lane) The Houston Grand Opera is set to showcase the 68th world premiere in company history when it opens “Marian’s Song” on March 5 and 6, 2020 at the Cullenter of the Wortham Theater Center. The opera, which is written by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and composed by Damien Sneed, is based on the life of the legendary opera {…}