New Opera West (NOW) has announced dates for its animation, film, and opera experience. The event, featuring three short films, a live performance, and conversations with the creators, will take place at Hudson Guild Theater in Los Angeles on June 17 and 19, 2022. The films are “Pepito,” “Rain Will Come What May,” and “The Beginning of Everything: A Love {…}
Following a performance of “Rigoletto” at Opera Philadelphia, tenor Joshua Blue proposed to his girlfriend Ashley Marie Robillard. As the singers took their final bows, Blue called Roillard to the stage stating, “Ashley Robillard, to stage. Paging Ashley Robillard.” As she went to the stage, he said, “You are the most incredible, brilliant, caring, creative, utterly chaotic person I’ve ever {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2022-23 season which will see the return of the season-opening Festival O. Festival O22 (Sept. 21-Oct. 2) The season will open with Rossini’s “Otello” starring Opera Philadelphia Artistic Advisor Lawrence Brownlee as Rodrigo. He is joined by fellow tenors Khanyiso Gwenxane in the title role and Alek Shrader as Iago, with mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack as Desdemona. {…}
Opera Philadelphia is set to return to the Academy of Music stage for the first time since September 2019 with a new production of “Rigoletto.” The opera, which will be performed four times from April 29-May 8, will return to the company for the first time in 15 years. The new production will see baritone Anthony Clark Evans take on the title {…}
Philadelphia-based East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP) will team up with the Society Hill Dance Academy and Manatawny Still Works to present “Love Notes 2.0 Sour Notes.” The virtual performance, which is set for Feb. 11, 2022, will feature Ashley Marie Robillard, Joshua Blue, Katrina Thurman, Maren Montalbano, pianist Aurelien Eulert, and drag queen cabaret artist and emcee, Maria TopCatt. There {…}
On December 20, 2021, the Oratorio Society of New York returned to Carnegie Hall for its annual performance of Händel’s “Messiah,” a tradition which the organization has kept since 1847. The evening’s concert, dedicated to the memory of company artist and board member Marie Gangemi, was comprised of the first part of the oratorio, with selections from Parts II and {…}
Virginia Opera tees off its season with performances of a condensed version of Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” at Topgolf Virginia Beach on Sept. 12, 2021, and at the venue’s Richmond location on Sept. 19. The condensed “Rheingold,” adapted by Jonathan Dove and Graham Vick, and directed by Mary Birnbaum, will be performed amphitheater-style, with the driving range bays turned into box {…}
Opera Theatre Saint Louis has announced its 2022 season featuring four works. Daniela Candillari will conduct a new production of Bizet’s “Carmen“ directed by Rodula Gaitanou. The production will star Sarah Mesko in the title role, Adam Smith as Don Jose, Christian Pursell as Escamillo, and Yunuet Laguna as Micaela. Performance Dates: May 21 – June 25, 2022 Rory MacDonald conducts Mozart’s “The {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2021-22 season, which includes both in-person and video productions throughout the year. So let’s kick it off with the onstage performances. On Stage It all starts with “Amici e Rivali” starring Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres. This pre-season concert will showcase the two tenors alongside conductor Corrado Rovaris and the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus {…}
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has announced plans for a live, in-person 2021 Festival Season. The upcoming festival will include a ground-breaking free ticket initiative, comprehensive cast lists, and thorough health protocol to provide the safest experience for artists, patrons, and staff. The festival will run between May 22 and June 20 and will feature four all-new productions on an {…}
(Photo credit: Final Note Magazine) For the first time in the history of the New York Festival of Song’s NYFOS Next series, the program will focus entirely on the work of one lyricist/librettist, Pulitzer Prize, and Grammy® Award-winner Mark Campbell. The 40-minute virtual concert will take place on April 14, at 7:00 P.M. ET. The program will preview Campbell’s recent {…}