On Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, audiences around the U.S. will get a chance to check out Minnesota Opera’s production of “Doubt.” The showcase, which kicks off at 9 p.m. EDT, will feature the production of Douglas J. Cuomo and John Patrick Shanley’s adaptation of the 2005 Broadway play (which was also the basis for the 2008 film). The production was {…}
Every year the Metropolitan Opera throws in some surprises whether in repertoire or in casting choices. Sometimes those casting choices are curveballs that include important returns to the stage. This season, OperaWire pointed out six major artists that have not performed on the Met stage in years and will be pleasant surprises to hear and see in 2018-19. Denyce Graves {…}
Opera America has re-elected its five current board members and has added a total of seven new members. Among the first time board members are opera patron Carol E. Domina, famed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery, San Diego Opera board chair Carol Lazier, Seattle Opera board chairman John Nesholm and general director of San Francisco Opera Matthew. Additionally, M. De Sisto, global executive for arts and {…}
How do you put on a gala? That is a question that most houses sometimes ask. Some think it is about uniting the most stars and having them walk on stage and just sing arias one after the other. Other houses put on different scenes from operas. Most recently we witnessed singers in costumes, standing and singing for over four {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced that legendary Queen of Soul and Kennedy Center Honoree Aretha Franklin, Tony-winning Broadway luminary Brian Stokes Mitchell, and current Hamilton star Jordan Donica will perform at the 2017 WNO Opera Gala, Trading Voices. The stars will join mezzo-soprano and D.C. native, Denyce Graves, Hamilton Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr., and, soprano Renée Fleming {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced an Opera Gala to conclude its 2016-17 season. The 2017 WNO Opera Gala, celebrating WNO Board Chairman Jacqueline Badger Mars, will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2017, and will include a concert in the Kennedy Center Opera House featuring the WNO Orchestra and an array of musical stars who will pay special tribute to Mars’s {…}
The Palm Beach Opera has announced its 2018 season, which will feature three operas. The Florida-based company will open its 2018 season on Jan. 26 with a production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The run will feature a total of three performances with soprano Keri Alkema taking on the first and last show while Alexandra Loutsion getting the middle date. The same {…}
Denyce Graves is regarded as one of the great mezzos of the 20th century. For years she dominated the stage in many leading roles and after her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1995, became a household name around the world. Born on March 7, 1964, the mezzo-soprano has built an extensive repertoire throughout her career and she continues to find interesting roles that {…}
For the past two weeks we have honored the black singers making strides in today’s diverse opera world. But unfortunately, as has been the case in many social situations, the opera world was not always that diverse and the black community was not always a lock for representation on the biggest stages. But throughout the years major operatic pioneers manage {…}