Tulsa Opera to Commemorate Centennial of Tulsa Race Masscare With Concert Featuring World Premieres by Black Composers

Tulsa Opera is set to commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre on May 1, 2021. The showcase, which is entitled “Greenwood Overcomes,” will feature songs and arias by living Black composers, performed by Black opera artists. The concert will feature four Tulsa Opera-commissioned world premieres by such composers as David Bontemps, Anthony Davis, Stewart Goodyear, Nkeiru Okoye, and {…}

Jan 25, 2021

Online Classical Voice Competition Boris Martinovich Reportedly Used Singers’ Materials Without Consent

The Online Classical Voice Competition Boris Martinovich has reportedly used the identities of several singers’ identities without their permission. In an extensive investigation, The Middleclass Artist spoke to several “contestants” who suddenly found their names, videos, and other related information being used to prop up the competition. Among the artists who spoke to The Middleclass Artist were mezzo-soprano Hannah Elizabeth {…}

Jan 19, 2021

Denyce Graves Headlines Virginia Opera’s Revamped Spring Season

The Virginia Opera has announced a revamped 2021 Spring season. The Spring season will showcase a masterclass series with Denyce Graves as well as “Cabaret with Us.” The Virginia Opera also announced a production of Bernstein’s “Trouble in Tahiti” and a Spring Gala. Finally, the company also unveiled two virtual opera productions including “Pinocchio” and The Princess and the Pea.” Earlier {…}

Dec 5, 2020

Renée Fleming, Denyce Graves Headline ‘United in Song: Celebrating Resilience in America’

Nouveau Productions and PBS are set to release “United in Song: Celebrating Resilience in America” on New Year’s Eve. The performance, which was filmed at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, features a wide array of major artists including soprano Renée Fleming, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, singing actress Audra McDonald, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, {…}

Dec 1, 2020

Luciano Pavarotti, Renée Fleming, Leona Mitchell, Shirley Verrett Headline Next Month of Metropolitan Opera Nightly Streams

The Metropolitan Opera has announced the next month of nightly streams which focus on a number of unique themes including operas in English, holiday works, and even an entire work dedicated to one of the most iconic artists of all time. Week 39– In Plain English Monday, December 7 – Thomas Adès’s The Tempest Starring Audrey Luna, Isabel Leonard, Iestyn Davies, Alek Shrader, {…}

Nov 11, 2020

Greer Grimsley, Nathan Berg, & Denyce Graves Feature in Minnesota Opera’s 3D ‘Das Rheingold’

On November 14, 2020 Minnesota Opera will present Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” in a new, 3D format which will be available to stream online. This digital experience adapts the company’s 2016 production with the help of production company Sweet Sadie. “The sheer size and scope of ‘Das Rheingold’ presents a massive challenge for any opera company,” said President and General Director {…}

Nov 3, 2020

Denyce Graves Joins Juilliard’s Visiting Faculty

Famed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves will join the Juilliard School’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts as a distinguished visiting faculty this month. Graves will be in residence with Juilliard for a multiweek residency every semester while also holding coaching and mentoring sessions each term. Residencies will focus on the performance of opera scenes and there will also be a group recital. {…}

Oct 19, 2020

Diana Damrau, Denyce Graves, Isabel Leonard, Terrence Blanchard, Morris Robinson Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

This week climaxes in World Opera Day on Oct. 25. So in leading up to that momentous celebration (which will feature half of the entries on this list), our recommendations will spotlight diversity in the opera world, offering up audiences a chance to check out works by and featuring BIPOC composers and performers as well as unique performance experiences that {…}

Oct 14, 2020

Sondra Radvanovsky, Isabel Leonard, Luca Pisaroni, Brian Jagde Highlight OperaVision World Opera Day Concert

(Credits: Michael Cooper / Boston Symphony Orchestra official website / Jiyang Chen / Fay Fox OperaVision has announced, in collaboration with Opera Europa, Opera America, Ópera Latinoamérica, and Opera For Peace, the final program for the big World Opera Day Celebration concert on Oct. 25, 2020. The concert is structured in four acts, in four different time zones. The first {…}

Aug 31, 2020

Sonya Yoncheva, Karita Mattila, Angel Blue, Lisette Oropesa, Charles Castronovo Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

September brings the opening of several major companies in Europe. And that means new streaming opportunities of concerts and operas. 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 S. Doss’ “Heart and Soul” series {…}

Aug 20, 2020

Jonas Kaufmann, Angel Blue, Joyce DiDonato, Anna Netrebko, Eric Owens Headline Weeks 25 & 26 of Metropolitan Opera Nightly Streams

(Credit: Met Opera / Ken Howard / Marty Sohl) The Met Opera has unveiled its 25 and 26th weeks of streaming, continuing its theme-based streaming options. For week 25, the company will focus on 20th-century classics, while the ensuing week of streams will place an emphasis on French operas. Monday, August 31 – R. Strauss’s Elektra Starring Nina Stemme, Adrianne Pieczonka, Waltraud {…}

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