Ohio’s Toledo Opera has announced its 2021-22 season featuring three productions. The season opens with Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” with Jennifer Rowley as Leonora and Carl Tanner as Manrico. The cast is rounded out by Deborah Nansteel as Azucena and Kyle Pfortmiller as Count di Luna. Adam Turner conducts the production by Jeffrey Buchman. Performance Dates: Oct. 8 & 10, 2021 {…}
On June 28, Opera Italiana presented its annual concert at the Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park. This year was particularly special given it was the first live performance for the organization in over a year following the pandemic. As such, the concert was appropriately named “Rebirth” and paid homage to Enrico Caruso, who is celebrating his centennial this year. Additionally, this {…}
(Credit: JP YIM) Opera Italiana is in the Air has announced that it will present “REBIRTH!” on June 28, 2021. The showcase is set to take place at the Naumburg Bandshell in New York’s Central Park and will feature musicians from The Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, The Juilliard School, The New School, and The Manhattan School of Music. {…}
This week audiences can see two recent live performances and a unique solo album by a pianist/soprano. There are also new releases from some of the world’s biggest stars. Here is a look. Chopin: In My Voice Orchid Classics releases “Chopin: In My Voice,” the debut album of 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition top prize-winner Chelsea Guo. The album showcases {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta/Arielle Donoson/© Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical) Carnegie Hall has announced its 2021-22 season featuring some of the world’s greatest artists. For the purpose of this article, we will only focus on the vocal works. Here is the full slate: Soprano Marija Jelic performs a recital alongside pianist Jasna Popovic. Performance Date: Oct. 5, 2021 Tenor Jonas Kaufmann {…}
The Opernhaus Zürich has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas – Premieres Richard Strauss‘ “Salome” will star Elena Stikhina, Kostas Smoriginas, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Michaela Schuster, Mauro Peter, and Siena Licht Miller. Simone Young conducts the production by Andreas Homoki. Performance dates: Sep. 12 – Oct. 17, 2021 Verdi‘s “Il Trovatore” will spotlight Quinn Kelsey, Marina Rebeka, {…}
Photo by Fay Fox The Opéra de Marseille will begin streaming a recent production of Puccini’s “Tosca” on Feb. 28, 2021. The company, which was set to present the repertory staple between Feb. 9-21, recorded the opera on Feb. 19 to stream with a cast starring Jennifer Rowley in the title role. She is joined by Marcelo Puente as Mario {…}
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 {…}
As we enter the final month of the year, opera companies and streams are coming in full force. This week’s selections undeniably favor lovers of the standard repertory and star power. There are a number of galas and recital showcases to look forward to as well. Here is a rundown of our top 10 operas to stream this week. Die {…}
Vincerò Academy has announced its inaugural season which will feature training opportunities for artists on three major repertory staples. Over the course of three months, participants will engage in weekly group classes, masterclasses, workshops, seminars, and individual coachings with a vast array of major artists including Ailyn Pérez, Brian Jagde, Carlos Conde, David Lomelí, Isabel Leonard, Javier Camarena, Jennifer Rowley, {…}
With opera companies returning in full force digitally, this week’s selections will highlight a mix of repertory staples with some unique and experimental new works. 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 {…}