Houston Grand Opera is set to present on November 27, 2020, a double-bill of “Bon Appétit!” and “The Impresario.” The first work is based on an episode of a children’s TV show called “The French Chef.” This one-woman opera is written by Lee Hoiby, directed by Ryan KcKinny, and will feature renowned mezzo Jamie Barton in the role of Julia {…}
The Los Angeles Opera has announced the latest programming for its “LA Opera on Now.” This week’s edition will feature two distinct programs with an emphasis on Halloween-related content and music. Jeremy Frank will present the latest “Learning at Home (Grownup Edition)” with a focus on the “craziest deaths in opera.” Streaming Dates: Oct. 27, 2020 at 4 p.m. PDT {…}
September brings the opening of several major companies in Europe. And that means new streaming opportunities of concerts and operas. Before we kick off our list, don’t forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera with such programs as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” and Mark S. Doss’ “Heart and Soul” series {…}
(Credit: Met Opera / Ken Howard / Marty Sohl) The Met Opera has unveiled its 25 and 26th weeks of streaming, continuing its theme-based streaming options. For week 25, the company will focus on 20th-century classics, while the ensuing week of streams will place an emphasis on French operas. Monday, August 31 – R. Strauss’s Elektra Starring Nina Stemme, Adrianne Pieczonka, Waltraud {…}
(Credit: Emily Isacson / Dario Acosta) The Los Angeles Opera has announced its streaming slate for the week of June 8, 2020. The programming will kick off with “Opera Family Time” in which soprano Katherine Powers talks about Shakespeare’s “Othello” with actor/playwright Keith Hamilton Cobb. Powers will also perform the “Willow Song” from Verdi’s “Otello.” Streaming Date: June 9, 2020, {…}
The Florentine Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring four productions and a number of concerts. The season opens with Verdi’s “Rigoletto” starring Todd Thomas in the title role, Jessica Jones, Scott Quinn, Alan Higgs, and Olivia Vote. Omer Ben Seadia directs the production with Francesco Milioto conducting. Performance Dates: Oct. 9 & 11, 2020 Weill’s “Little Mahagonny” will showcase Emily {…}
The theme of the weekend is world premieres. There are a lot of them. That said, we did find some space for a classic opera in there. Roberto Devereux – Los Angeles Opera To kick things off we head to LA where the company will showcase the bel canto masterpiece with Angela Meade as the famed Queen Elisabeth and Ramón {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of established as well as rising stars. Here is a detailed look at the upcoming productions: The season opens with Bizet’s “Carmen” with a cast that includes Isabel Leonard and Carolyn Sproule alternating in the role of Carmen, Andrea Caré and Frederick Ballentine alternating as Don José, Anita {…}
There will be two important CD releases this week, one from a legendary artists and a second from a historical opening night performance. Here is a look. Farinelli Cecilia Bartoli celebrates over three decades on the Decca Classics label with her latest album commemorating the life and career of the most famous opera singer of the 18th century: the castrato {…}
The Cincinnati Opera has announced the casting of principal roles for composer Gregory Spears and librettist Tracy K. Smith’s new opera “Castor and Patience.” The company announced that the title roles will be sung by soprano Latonia Moore as Patience and bass-baritone Kevin Short as Castor. The opera will also feature tenor Frederick Ballentine as Judah, soprano Janai Brugger as {…}
While the environment outside the Met Opera on opening night was rather subdued in comparison to previous years, there could be no denying the environment inside of the sold-out house. Everywhere you turned, the opera on hand was a major topic of conversation with great excitement over what it might bring. The Gershwin classic, “Porgy and Bess,” hasn’t been at {…}