Over 100 singers came together for a video performance of “Light Shall Lift Us,” a work by librettist Mark Campbell and composer Paul Moravec. The duo, which has worked together on “The Shining” proposed the idea to Marc Scorca of Opera America, who embraced the idea and helped put together the 107 artists who would eventually record their individual parts {…}
On Site Opera in New York has added an additional live stream to its 4-part series of encore presentations. The company, which has streamed past opera performances from its archives over the last month, will offer a watch party of its 2018 production of Ricky Ian Gordon and William Hoffman’s “Morning Star,” originally performed at the Museum at Eldridge Street {…}
Despite closing down in an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19 around the world, many opera companies are still finding creative ways of reaching their respective audiences in the hopes of giving them some measure of relief. Moreover, these efforts are a reminder that despite these trying times, there is hope of an eventual return to normalcy and that {…}
This past summer, OperaWire published an interview with “Ellen West” headliner Jennifer Zetlan. When asked what she wanted audiences to take away from her experience with the opera, Zetlan’s replied that, to her, an extremely successful evening of live theater or opera was one in which the audience leaves feeling their soul touched, adding “… I hope our audiences will find themselves deeply moved {…}
Jennifer Zetlan is set to take on the title role in the New York City premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon and Frank Bidart’s “Ellen West” at the Prototype Festival on Jan. 14-19, 2020. Zetlan interpreted the role in the world premiere of the opera during the summer of 2019 at Saratoga Springs. “Ellen West is the pseudonym of a real {…}
This week, a slew of rarely performed works are set for release, including live recordings and some world premieres. La Nonne Sanglante Gounod’s rarely performed work gets a release from the Opera Comique. The new release, by Naxos, stars Vannina Santoni, Marion Lebègue, and Michael Spyres. Laurence Equilbey conducts the Insula Orchestra in David Bobee’s production from 2018. Jane Eyre Louis Karchin’s {…}
The Oratorio Society of New York has revealed details of its upcoming 147th season, which will include two world premieres. The season will kick off with “Rachmaninoff and Duruflé” at Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The program will include excerpts from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, an “a cappella work of remarkable spirituality,” along with Duruflé’s Requiem. Featured vocalists will include contralto Kirsten {…}
(Photo: Arielle Doneson) Soprano Jennifer Zetlan is a singer known for her enthusiasm for contemporary opera. She has been featured in at least nine premieres of American operas, and created roles in two world premieres, the Messenger in Matthew Aucoin’s “Crossing,” and Fanny in Ricky Ian Gordon’s “Morning Star.” Alongside Zetlan’s passion for new opera, her vocal agility enables her {…}
Three major releases are set for this week including two major box sets from one important artist and another of a major work. The Jonas Kaufmann Collection Arthaus is set to release a collection of three DVDs starring Jonas Kaufmann. The box set will include performances of “Fidelio,” “Nina,” and “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse” from Opernhaus Zurich. Artists in the box {…}
On October 26, 2018, Bright Shiny Things will release “Your Clear Eye,” a new recording of songs by the multi-award-winning composer Ricky Ian Gordon performed by the soprano Jennifer Zetlan in her solo album debut. The new recording will see Zetlan accompanied by the composer and will feature the world premiere recordings of Antarctica (Harper’s Act three Monologue) and Night Flight {…}