The Des Moines Metro Opera has announced a cast change for Debussy’s “Pelléas & Mélisande.” The company said that baritone Edward Nelson will perform the role of Pelléas in all four performances, replacing John Moore who has withdrawn from the production for personal reasons. In a statement, Michael Egel, the Linda Koehn General & Artistic Director of Des Moines Metro {…}
(Credit: Karli Cadel) The Washington National Opera is set to present “Songbird,” a new adaptation of Jacques Offenbach’s operetta “La Périchole.” The work, which is set to be performed between March 9 and 23, 2024, will star Isabel Leonard and Ramin Karimloo. The cast will be rounded out by Edward Nelson, Teresa Perrotta, Kresley Figueroa, Cecelia McKinley, Tesia Kwarteng, Sahel {…}
The Bard SummerScape festival is set to present R. Strauss’ “The Silent Woman (Die Schweigsame Frau),” the only true comic opera by Richard Strauss. The production will be a rare American presentation of the work with the new production directed by German director Christian Räth. The director noted, “in my eyes, ‘The Silent Woman’ is first and foremost a declaration {…}
Cincinnati Song Initiative has announced its 2021-22 season which will feature seven concerts. First up will be a “Season Opening Gala: The Great American Songbook” at the Liberty Exhibition Hall. soprano Amy Burton and pianist John Musso will perform music from The Great American Songbook. Performance Date: Oct. 2, 2021 “The Belletrists: Heinrich Heine” will feature soprano Elizabeth Marshall, tenor {…}
The Operalia Competition has announced its 2021 participants. This year the competition will showcase artists from Peru, Russia, the USA, Mongolia, France, Spain, Moldova, Denmark, South Korea, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Italy, Canada, and Uzbekistan. Here is a full run-down of the singers who will compete: Ivan Ayon-Rivas, tenor, Peru Gayane Babajanyan, mezzo-soprano, Russia Kirill Belov, tenor, Russia Vladislav Buialskyi, bass-baritone, Ukraine {…}
The Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville, Spain has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is a look at the operatic and vocal performances. Operas Ermonela Jaho and Carmen Solís alternate the title role in Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” with Amadi Lagha, Enrique Ferrer, Damián del Castillo, Gerardo Bullón, Moisés Marín, Felipe Bou, José Manuel Díaz, and Diana Larios. Alain Guingal conducts {…}
This week’s recommendations feature a operatic mini-series, a notable gala, a recital dedicated to songs of protest, another recital about the historic migration of African Americans from the South to the North, a concert of opera singers turning to jazz, and another concert focused on music of medieval times. And then there’s some Mozart, Rossini, and Wagner for good measure. {…}
Long Beach Opera in California has announced a revised 2021 season, which will include three productions in total. Two of the productions have been adapted to be presented as outdoor showcases. The season kicks off with Philip Glass’ “Les Enfants Terribles” directed by James Darrah and conducted by Christopher Rountree. This opera will be presented as an immersive drive-in opera {…}
Boston Lyric Opera has announced that it will kick off production on “desert in,” a new opera miniseries set to launch in June on operabox.tv. The eight-part series will feature such artists as Nico Muhly, Wang Lu, Jesus Garcia, Vijay Iyer, Nathalie Joachim, Isabel Leonard, Talise Trevigne, Davone Tines, Edward Nelson, and Alan Pingarron, among others. The work was co-created {…}
While theaters are opening, more and more American opera companies are committing to the online presentation. So there is no doubt that there will be plenty of streaming options for the foreseeable future. And we will be here to spotlight 10 operas every week. But as we have done over the past few weeks, do not forget to check out {…}
American baritone Edward Nelson has won the first prize at the Glyndebourne Opera Cup 2020. The 31-year-old won a £15,000 prize and the offer of a role in an opera. During the competition he performed arias from Ambroise Thomas’ “Hamlet” and “Largo al factotum” aria from Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” at the competition. He was presented with his prize {…}