BREAKING NEWS. Due to unforeseen circumstances at the #US/#Canada border, Ms Joyce El Khoury was denied entrance to the US and will not be able to perform in the up coming Live Drive in performance of Tosca. We are extremely saddened by these turn of events, but also thrilled that world renown soprano Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs was willing to fill in {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice has announced that this year’s live opera staging, typically the highlight of its annual summer music festival will be a drive-in performance of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The performance, set for August 29, will take place at Tech City in Kingston, New York. As with drive-in movie experiences, audience members will drive {…}
Opéra de Lille has announced its 2020-21 season featuring opera and concerts. Here is a look at the French season. Opera Eva Zaïcik, Tassis Christoyannis, Samuel Boden, Hélène Carpentier, Chiara Skerath, Frédéric Caton, Victor Sicard, Yoann Dubruque, and Enguerrand de Hys star in Campra’s “Idoménée.” Emmanuelle Haïm conducts Àlex Ollé / La Fura dels Baus’ production. Performance Dates: Oct. 9-17, 2020 {…}
The Opéra national du Rhin has announced its 2020-21 season. The company, in Strasbourg, France, is set to include a number of new productions and recitals. Here is a look: Opera “Solveig,” a symphonic Passion based on the music of Edvard Grieg and with a libretto by Karl Ove Knausgård gets a new production by Calixto Bieto. Mari Eriksmoen stars in {…}
Opera for Peace has announced that several of opera’s greatest stars are joining the organization as ambassadors and advisors. Tenor René Barbera and sopranos Elsa Dreisig and Joyce El-Khoury have become the organization’s newest ambassadors. Meanwhile, conductor Fabio Luisi, soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, and baritone Ludovic Tézier have signed on as Advisors; they join baritone Thomas Hampson and soprano Sumi Jo, who {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) Bilbao Opera has announced new dates for Donizetti’s “Anna Bolena.” The opera, which was originally set to close the 2019-20 season for the Spanish theater in May, will now be presented in 2022 on Nov. 19, 22, 25, and 28. Joyce El-Khoury will replace Angela Meade in the title role while the remainder of the cast will {…}
(Credit: Russell Duncan/Opera Rara/ROH) A little over a year ago, Opera Rara, whose commitment is to record unknown, forgotten and rarely performed works from the 19th century, released a reconstructed version of Donizetti’s then-never performed “L’ange de Nisida.” This world premiere recording reveals the work to be an authentic Bel Canto jewel, providing deep immersion into Donizetti’s style of composition {…}
(Credit: Ryan Donnell) Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2020-21 season with the theme Fortune & Might. O20 Festival Jennifer Higdon and Jerre Dye’s “Woman with Eyes Closed” makes its world premiere opening the Opera Philadelphia’s festival. German director Christian Räth helms the production which is set to star Meredith Arwady, Kevin Ray, Fleur Barron, and Wei Wu Performance Dates: Sept. {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) Works & Process at the Guggenheim will present Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ “Awakenings” on April 5, 2020. The opera is set to have its world premiere at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis on June 7, 2020. Before the first performance, the Guggenheim will present a special moderated discussion with creators Aryeh Lev Stollman and Tobia {…}
The Canadian Opera Company has announced its 2020-21 season, which will feature six operas and some special events. The season opens with François Girard’s famed production of Wagner’s “Parsifal.” Christopher Ventris and Vikor Antipenko will alternate the title role with Johan Reuter as Amfortas and Tanja Ariane Baumgartner will take on Kundry. Robert Pomakov will interpret Klingsor while Mika Kares {…}
The Seattle Opera has announces its 2020-21 season featuring an all-star lineup and some ambitious productions. Here is a look: The season opens with the double bill of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” with Gregory Kunde headlining both productions in a rare U.S. appearance. He will share the run with Arsen Soghomonyan. Melody Moore and Marcy Stonikas will share the role {…}