(Credit: Suzanne Vinnik) PBS is set to air the new documentary “J’Nai Bridges Unamplified.” The short film features opera star J’Nai Bridges and will air on March 24, as part of season two of In the Making, on PBS. Audra McDonald will host the broadcast special. Following the broadcast, the film will be available to stream for free on PBS.org {…}
The New York Philharmonic has announced its 2023-24 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances. Jeanette Sorrell conducts Händel’s “Israel in Egypt” with Amanda Forsythe, Sonya Headlam, Cody Bowers, Jacob Perry, Edward Vogel, and Apollo’s Singers. Performance Dates: Oct. 25 & 26, 2023 J’Nai Bridges headlines a program featuring music by Holst, {…}
The Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2023-24 season, which will feature a world premiere. Jamie Barton, Janai Brugger, J‘Nai Bridges, Caitlin Lynch, Nicholas Newton, Michael Mayes, and Joshua Blue star in Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s “Intelligence.” Kwamé Ryan conducts the production by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Performance Dates: Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2024 Reginald Smith, Jr. sings the title role of Vedi’s “Falstaff” with Nicole Heaston, Blake {…}
Art Bath announced its spring 2023 season. The immersive arts salon will host a variety of performances this season, this article will only mention the opera-related events. All concerts take place at the Blue Building in NYC and start at 8 pm. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi will provide vocals alongside instrumental, ballet, and visual arts. Performance {…}
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced the Tanglewood Festival 2023 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal and operatic performances. The Knights, under Eric Jacobsen, will present a new work by Chris Thile, who will also be the vocal soloist, as well as Jessie Montgomery’s “Source Code.” Performance Date: June 29, 2023 Nicholas {…}
(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, {…}