MasterVoices is set to present Adam Guettel’s song cycle “Myths and Hymns” in a four-part digital series launching this January. Choral arrangements for the song cycle will be made by Ted Sperling with short films created for each of the 23 songs. The first six songs of the series connected under the first installment entitled “Chapter One: Flight” will feature {…}
Musical America has announced its choices for 2021’s Artist of the Year, with each writer selecting a different artist for their achievements and contributions to the art form. The recipients this year include producer Beth Morrison, soprano Julia Bullock, and mezzo Jamie Barton. Selected by Steve Smith, Beth Morrison is noted for her leading role in the Beth Morrison Projects, {…}
Conductor Oliver Zeffman has commissioned a new opera, “Eight Songs From Isolation,” which bring together prominent composers and artists to explore themes of distance. Zeffman conducts the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and features artists such as Sarah Connolly, Iestyn Davies, Sophie Bevan, Toby Spence, Julia Bullock, and more. Over 50 people across North America, Europe, Africa and {…}
DACAMERA has announced its fall season of online concerts. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on opera and vocal performances. The company will start with a live stream gala featuring bass-baritone Davóne Tines. Other artists include Claire Chase, Sharon Isbin, James Frances, Sonia Wieder-Atherson, and Pedrito Martinez. Streaming Date: Oct. 2, 2020 Soprano Julia Bullock will {…}
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 {…}
(Credit: Christopher Ash) Heartbeat Opera has announced the works that will make up the company’s 2020–21 season. In a show of solidarity with artists during this time, 85 percent of the company’s budget will be devoted to employing more than 50 collaborators. The season will open in September with “The Secret Sauce,” described as a soiree-style reflection on Heartbeat Opera’s {…}
London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama has announced the installation of low-latency broadcast technology to facilitate large scale musical collaboration within the school while maintaining social distancing measures. The technology represents a significant investment in Guildhall’s streaming and broadcast capabilities. The newly installed NDI video and Dante Audio Networks augment the Recording and Video department’s installation of a Solid {…}
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. {…}
Guildhall School of Music and Drama has announced new digital programming for its fall 2020 season. Starting in September, audiences will get access to live broadcasts and pre-recorded content across all school departments. The opera department will also present three Italian works directed by Stephen Medcalf, including Mascagni’s “Zanetto,” Wolf-Ferrari’s “Il Segreto di Susanna,” and Donizetti’s “Rita.” Additionally, the organization {…}
Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival has announced a new partnership with WQXR to broadcast this year’s reimagined season of performances, running from August 10 -16, 2020. The Opening Night Mashup will kick off the festival with a program featuring Mozart’s “Requiem” and Estonian composer Arvo Part’s “Te Deum,” meant to set the tone for this year’s season of connection and {…}