(Photo: Roberto Ricci – Festival Verdi) A Colonial Tragedy Diminished by Melodrama Giuseppe Verdi’s “Alzira,” premiered in Naples in 1845, has enjoyed a curious afterlife. The composer’s own alleged verdict, “questa è proprio brutta” (“this is really ugly”), has become almost more famous than the opera itself. His eighth stage work, and one of the least performed in his catalogue, {…}
James Conlon has spent more than five decades at the center of the operatic and symphonic worlds, building one of the most expansive conducting careers of his generation. A New Yorker by birth and formation, he rose quickly through the ranks of major opera houses and orchestras on both sides of the Atlantic, logging some 20 years of full-time residence {…}
(Credit: Copyright Bonnie Perkinson) On April 8, 2026, USC Thornton School of Music will present a special lecture by conductor James Conlon exploring how Shakespeare’s influence led Verdi to compose “Falstaff.” Drawing on musical insight, historical context, and more than five decades on the podium, Conlon traces how a composer devoted almost entirely to serious drama returned late in life {…}
The Colburn School will host its Art of Song Festival on Oct. 18–19, 2025. The event is curated by LA Opera Music Director James Conlon. It will open on Oct. 18 with a masterclass featuring Frederica von Stade at 10 a.m. and another masterclass by Rod Gilfry and James Conlon on that same day at 1:30 p.m. Then on the {…}
Los Angeles Opera will present two free performances of “Las tres mujeres de Jerusalén” by Carla Lucero on March 14 and 15, 2025. The performance will feature a collaboration between 300 amateur musicians at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Leading the showcase will be James Conlon. “Las tres mujeres de Jerusalén” explores the sixth station of the {…}
The Orchestra of St. Luke has announced its 50th Anniversary season. For the purposes of this article only vocal performances are included. Soprano Erin Morley will perform at the DiMenna Center Benefit. Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham hosts. Performance Date: September 9, 2024 First up in the Chamber Music Series is “Schubert with Liv Redpath and George Li.” They will present works {…}
The Los Angeles Opera is set to present a free live simulcast of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” on Sept. 21, 2024 at two outdoor locations. Audiences will get to take in the tragic work at the El Cariso Community Regional Park and Santa Monica Pier. This is the second time that LA Opera does a simulcast at El Cariso Community Regional {…}
Conductor James Conlon has been named the winner of the Eroica Award for Outstanding Service to Music. The accolade was bestowed on the famed conductor by MOLA: An Association of Music performance Librarians which is comprised of more than 585 members across 248 orchestras, 36 opera and ballet ccompanies, eight professional bands and ensembles, and 33 music academies. Per an {…}
Colburn School will honor conductor James Conlon during its annual gala on April 7, 2024. During the event, Conlon will receive the Richard D. Colburn Award for his “exemplary contributions to the world of classical music and arts.” The program will feature music by Mozart and features the Colburn Orchestra. Conlon recently announced that he would be retiring from his {…}
James Conlon is set to become Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Opera in 2026. Conlon announced that the 2025-26 season will be his final one at the helm of the organization marking his 20th anniversary in the position of music director and his 40th with the company. “The long, productive relationship that I have shared with LA Opera and {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences are in for two full recordings of well-known works with some of the world’s greatest singers. There are also choral recoridngs and some less known works to discover. Heaven to Earth Signum Classics releases Heaven to Earth, a collection of singable, {…}