At this moment, opera in Ireland is really on the up. Over the last couple of years, the country has seen a significant number of developments, which has started to lift its profile. This year, for example, saw the inauguration of the Irish National Opera company, which has an ambitious vision for delivering opera, showcasing Irish singers and increasing the {…}
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 ushered in the Great Depression of the 1930s, which caused poverty, unemployment and social dislocation on a grand scale in industrial economies across the globe. Although its impact on the poor was catastrophic, its effect on rich society was no less devastating; families lost their entire fortune overnight, with suicide often a result. It {…}
As the weeks lead into the 67th Wexford Festival Opera, the festival has announced a new event, as well as updates to its current program. In anticipation of the European premiere of “Dinner at Eight,” an opera originally commissioned by Minnesota Opera, it has been confirmed that the composer and librettist, William Bolcom and Mark Campbell, will be giving a {…}
The Wexford Festival has announced its 2018 season, which will run for a few weeks in October. This season will feature a number of operas, both rare and well-known, that should interest all sorts of audiences. The season kicks off on Oct. 19 with the double bill of “Mala Vita” by Giordano and “L’Oracolo” by Leoni. The work will be {…}
Back in 1933, with the Great Depression in full swing, famed Hollywood director George Cukor released a small film called “Dinner at Eight.” Starring Lionel and John Barrymore, Marie Dressler and Jean Harlow among others, the film established the cataclysmic world event in a very intimate setting. The film became a cult classic in ensuing decades and a new version {…}
On Jan. 13 the Minnesota Opera previewed the upcoming world premiere of William Bolcom’s recent opera “Dinner at Eight.” At the Feinstein 54 Below in Manhattan, the company held a dinner for members of the New Works Forum, sponsors and donors of the company. Bolcom was present at the dinner alongside librettist Mark Campbell. During a Q & A, Bolcom {…}