Festival Opera Artistic Director Zachary Gordin will present the world premiere of “Borders of Dreaming”, a new song cycle by Colombian composer Juan Sebastián Cardona Ospina and librettist Michael Colbruno on Nov. 22, 2026. The piece is inspired by the true story of Andry José Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist whose deportation from the United States and imprisonment {…}
The Festival Opera has announced the launch of its first Resident Artist Program, a comprehensive, season-long professional development initiative designed to support emerging opera singers at a pivotal stage in their careers. The program will provide paid performance opportunities, individualized training and vocal coaching and an array of practical business/marketing classes to help artists in their post academic training achieve {…}
The Festival Opera has announced its 2026 season in Walnut Creek California will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Opera The season opens with a Spring Soiree featuring soprano Carrie Hennessey, baritone Zachary Gordin and pianist Daniel Lockert. Performance Date: March 29, 2026 Derek Tam conducts Handel’s “Alcina” with Nikola Printz in the title role, Courtney Miller as Ruggiero, Shawnette Sulker as Morgana {…}
Festival Opera and Diablo Symphony Orchestra will join forces for Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The production will star soprano Jamie Chamberlin, tenor Nathan Granner, and Baritone Zachary Gordin, the Festival Opera’s General Director. The work will be presented in a modern concert staging directed by the acclaimed Richard Harrell and conducted by Music Director Matilda Hofman. There will be two performances {…}
Festival Opera in Walnut Creek, California, has announced its 2025 season. Festival Opera’s Spring Soiree wil be an annual company benefit event with musical performances by Festival Opera artists Shawnette Sulker, Courtney Miller, Taylor Thompson, and pianist Daniel Lockert with benefit host Zachary Gordin. Performance Date: May 3, 2025 Ruggero Leoncavallo’s classic one-act opera “Pagliacci” will be performed in concert Vincent {…}
Walnut Creek’s Festival Opera has announced its 2024 season. There will be two editions of “Opera in the Park.” Both feature Lila Khazoum, Courtney Miller, Taylor Thompson, and Liam Daley. They are joined by pianist Chun Mei Wilson and host Zachary Gordin. Performance Dates: June 20, 2024 at Orinda Community Park & June 23 at Civic Park The mainstage production {…}
Festival Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Carmen.” The California-based Company revealed that Nikola Printz will be stepping into the title role of the Bizet opera, taking over for Taylor Raven, who withdrew due to illness. “On behalf of the company, we wish Taylor a speedy recovery and look for new opportunities to present her in {…}
Walnut Creek’s Festival Opera has announced its summer season. First up is “Opera in the Park I” which will feature Festival Opera artists including soprano Aisha Campbell, mezzo-soprano Dalyte Kodzis, countertenor Matheus Coura, tenor Michael Foreman, and bass-baritone Matthew Lovell, bass-baritone as they present popular operas, Broadway favorites, and works from the Great American Songbook. will be accompanied by pianist Chun {…}
Festival Opera has announced its plans for the company’s 2023 season. Festival Opera General Director Zachary Gordin, said “It is with great pride that Festival Opera celebrates its 32nd anniversary season with a refreshed, contemporary interpretation of Bizet’s iconic opera, ‘Carmen.’ I’m especially pleased to present a cast of rising, highly talented opera stars in such a collaborative stage production {…}
The Festival Opera in Walnut Creek, California has announced that it will celebrate its 30th anniversary season with the world premiere of “A Jake Heggie Triptych.” The work, which will be directed by Mark Foehringer and conducted by Bryan Nies, is set to take place on August 13 and 15, 2021 at the Hofmann Theatre at the Lesher Center for {…}
With the summer underway, the opera world remains in full swing. Opera in Ozarks is the big company to make headlines this weekend as the company showcases two performances. “Le Nozze di Figaro” gets a look on Friday while “Susannah” gets a showcase on Saturday. Wolf Trap Opera also gets a major showcase with “La Pietra del Paragone” on Friday {…}