Fort Worth Opera (FWO) has announced an expansion of its 2021 spring lineup that comprises a film festival in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera, a virtual celebration of Black History Month, a collaboration with Opera San José, drive-in events, and more. For the first time in FWO’s 74-year history, the company will collaborate with the Metropolitan Opera to create an {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that it will celebrate Black History Month this February by highlighting historic performances by Black artists through its nightly streaming series. Here is a rundown of the schedule for the first two weeks of the month. Week 47– Black History Month at the Met: Part I Monday, February 1 – The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess Starring {…}
Updates: Per our sources, the filming and virtual premiere are delayed from February to June. Additionally, The Library of Congress has entered the field as a co-presenter of the world premiere. J’Nai Bridges is set to world premiere “TULSA 1921,” a Narrative work for Mezzo and String Ensemble by Adolphus Hailstork set to text by Herbert Martin. The performance will {…}
It is going to be a fun opera week with a lot of unique viewing experiences for opera lovers around the world. There are modern operas. There are concerts with famed arias. There’s a mystery story. There’s a battle between two queens. There’s some Schubert songs. And a Rossini mass. And of course, there is a high-profile company premiere of {…}
The Kennedy Center has unveiled the first installment of its “Come, Hope” series, an initiative by the Washington National Opera inspired by Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” The video, entitled “Monuments of Hope” features mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny performing in front of D.C.’s most iconic monuments including the World War II Memorial, the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Sith {…}
Pianist and activist Lara Downes is making the stars align in a video of Leonard Bernstein’s song “Take Care of this House.” The video, which is being released on Sept. 22 in honor of National Voter Registration Day, features a wide range of major superstars from the opera and classical music world including Thomas Hampson, Anthony Orth Costanzo, Julia Bullock, {…}
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 {…}
It’s going to be an exciting week with a combination of live streams and other performances being made available digitally for opera lovers worldwide. And while we are at it – get ready for more in coming weeks as opera companies around the world start to embrace digital opera as part of their 2020-21 seasons. Before we kick off our {…}
Black Opera Productions has announced a virtual gala aimed at celebrating the career of Jessye Norman. Entitled “Jessye Norman at 75: A Celebration,” will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 at 6 p.m. ET. The program will feature virtual dedication from around the country with performances filmed at the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place. The program will be hosted {…}
Columbia Artists Management Inc. has announced it will shut down due to the prolonged pandemic. In a statement that was emailed Saturday to CAMI artists the agency said it would be closing its doors on Monday, August 31. “Columbia Artists has engaged with a fiduciary to enter into an assignment for the benefit of creditors, a form of insolvency proceeding {…}
We are now entering the final weeks of summer, which means that opera companies in Europe will be in full swing while many opera companies in North America will start to test the waters with their brand new digital seasons. Nonetheless, the streaming has continued at a steady clip with another set of unique offerings coming your way this week. {…}