This calendar year has been a difficult one for the world and for the music industry. It tested artists in ways they never thought they would. And yet it also showed resilience, love, and humility. It was a year where generosity was predominant and where artists united for a better cause. Usually, at this point in time, OperaWire has a {…}
Fort Worth Opera (FWO) announced the world premiere of “Bernadette’s Cozy Book Nook,” a film by composer and FWO Artistic Director Joe Illick and Pulitizer Prize and Grammy® Award-winning librettist Mark Campbell. The film, part of FWO’s Green Room digital initiative, premieres on January 14, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. CST, and runs through January 24. “Bernadette’s Cozy Book Nook,” is {…}
Fort Worth Opera has announced a number of new community initiatives for audiences in the region. The first is the launch of “FWO GO,” a new series of pop-up performances to be held in neighborhoods throughout Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Beginning on October 24, the company’s Lesley Resident Artists will perform opera, musical theatre, and American standards, from a {…}
Austin Opera, The Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera San Antonio, and Houston Grand Opera are joining forces to create the Texas Opera Alliance. The new partnership aims to advance and protect the future of opera in Texas. In its first year, the initiative will focus on cross-promoting digital content and programming as well as proving member companies access to {…}
Fort Worth Opera has announced the six librettists whose works have been chosen for “Frontiers: FWO Libretto Workshop.” These new works will be presented October 7 and 8, 2020, before a panel of industry leaders, hosted by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning librettist and lyricist Mark Campbell. The first three works, to be presented on the first night, are “Home {…}
The Fort Worth Opera has appointed Afton Battle as the new General Director. Battle graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Voice Performance, before attending Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She has also received a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy. After a career performing, she did consulting work with such companies as {…}
Fort Worth Opera has announced additional details about its fall virtual season under a new online initiative, FWO Green Room. The company has two performances planned beginning on Tuesday, September 20 with the digital debut of the Fort Worth Opera Chorus singing Moses Hogan’s “His Light Still Shines.” FWO Greenroom will also premiere composer and FWO Artistic Director, Joe Illick’s {…}
(Image Source: Final Note Magazine) Fort Worth Opera has announced a call for submissions for its upcoming “Frontiers: FWO Libretto Workshop.” This two-day intensive, held before a live audience via Zoom, will be led by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning librettist and lyricist Mark Campbell, who will be joined by a panel of prominent industry composers, directors, artists, and librettists. {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) Fort Worth Opera has announced the launch of “FWO Green Room,” a digital initiative that comes as part of the company’s 75th anniversary season and reimagined fall programming. After a successful series of weekend masterclasses with Fort Worth Opera, soprano Jennifer Rowley will be holding an exclusive, six-week Virtual Audition Intensive, meant to prepare young opera singers {…}
The Fort Worth Opera and the McCammon Voice Competition Committee have announced the cancelation of the 2020 Competition due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a press release, the Committee informed each of the 30 semi-finalists that they will be granted an award of $300 to provide some financial relief during these difficult times. Semi-finalists will also be {…}
(Photo Credit: Chris Singer) Fort Worth Opera has announced a virtual artistic residency with renowned soprano Jennifer Rowley. This collaboration will see Rowley leading a series of masterclasses, lectures, and discussions with singers, directors, and industry insiders. The eight-week program will be held via Zoom, and instructions for singers to audition will be announced shortly on Fort Worth Opera’s website, {…}