(Credit: Suzanne Vinnik) The Duncan Williams Voice Competition Final is set for Feb. 3, 2023, at the Manhattan School of Music. Hosted by J’Nai Bridges, the showcase will spotlight Black and Latinx singers. The competition is presented by the New York City Opera and Manhattan School of Music and features over $50,000 in prize money. In the Developing Artist Division {…}
After a bumpy 2021, which still had numerous COVID cancelations, 2022 saw opera companies almost return to normalcy. There were setbacks like cyberattacks, a war that has destroyed a country, and companies losing funds from government agencies. But in all, it also showed how opera companies could unite through benefit concerts and through sheer artistry. And after releasing our favorite {…}
(Credit: Suzanne Vinnik) J’Nai Bridges is speaking out about the challenges regarding housing and traveling that come with an international career as an opera singer. The mezzo took to social media, and said, “As I prepare to press the button on Airbnb to book my next 3-month departure for work I am met with great frustration. When I tell people {…}
On January 20, 2023, Seattle Opera will present Saint-Saens’ “Samson and Delilah” for the first time since 1965. This concert staging will feature acclaimed artists tenor Yonghoon Lee and mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges in the title roles, with both making their company debuts. Seattle Symphony Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot leads a cast including Greer Grimsley as the High Priest of Dagon, {…}
The Canadian Opera Company is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen” with two mezzos. J’Nai Bridges makes her COC debut in the title role and shares it with COC Ensemble Studio alumna Rihab Chaieb. They are joined by Argentine tenor Marcelo Puente as Don José and Lebanese-Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury as Micaëla. El-Khoury shares the role with Anna-Sophie Neher, an Ensemble Studio {…}
The 92YNY has announced its 2022-23 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on classical vocal performances. The season kicks off with a concert featuring soprano Larisa Martinez in her company debut alongside violinist Joshua Bell. Peter Dugan performs at the piano. Performance Date: Oct. 20, 2022 Eric Owens and singers from Curtis Opera Theater, {…}
(Credit: © Todd Rosenberg Photography 2016) The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2022-23 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on operatic performances in the LA-based company’s new season. Soprano Camille Zamora will present “Havana Nights” as part of Sing for Hope’s residency. She will appear alongside the Mambo Kings. {…}
This week audiences will get to check out full opera recordings, world premiere recordings, and new solo albums by some of the great artists. Here is a look! La Traviata The Dresdner Philharmonie, Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden and conductor Daniel Oren present Verdi’s masterpiece with a stellar cast including René Barbera as Alfredo, Lester Lynch as Germont, and world star soprano {…}
The San Francisco Symphony is set to present Stravinsky’s “Oedipus Rex” and “Symphony of Psalms” on June 10-12, 2022. The showcase will be conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen and staged by Peter Sellars, in the first of a four-year collaboration during which the director will mount four large-scale productions between 2022-25. “This particular combination of two major Stravinsky pieces premiered in {…}
(Credit: Taylor Ballantyne) San Francisco Opera and Lumahai Productions received the “2022 Webby People’s Voice Award” for best music “Video Series & Channel” in recognition of its video series “In Song.” This award is given by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. This award is what the New York Times describes as “the Internet’s highest honor.” The competitive {…}
The Canadian Opera Company has announced its 2022-23 season featuring seven productions and a world premiere. The season kicks off with Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” directed by Christopher Alden and stars Danish bass-baritone Johan Reuter. The cast also includes Marjorie Owens as Senta, Franz-Josef Selig, Miles Mykkanen, Christopher Ventris, and Rosie Aldridge. COC Music Director Johannes Debus leads the {…}