The Lynchburg, Virginia-based Opera on the James has partnered with The Listening Inc., an arts advocacy and mentoring nonprofit serving underrepresented and disadvantaged youth, to create a song cycle entitled #LifeTheseDays. Using poems written by young people about life in a world turned upside down by pandemic and social unrest, the project encourages youth to express their feelings and experiences {…}
The Tri-Cities Opera has launched its first national vocal competition. TCO NEXT: A Virtual Vocal Competition will encourage emerging professional singers by promoting new voices and new music. Singers will compete for cash prizes with a grand prize of $3,000 and a contract for a future role with the Tri-Cities Opera. The audition process will feature an audio-only first round {…}
With the world in the grip of a pandemic that has shuttered opera houses around the globe, composers, librettists, directors, and singers are exploring new ways to connect with audiences and explore technology. With disruption comes innovation, and the spirit of invention took hold of composer Kamala Sankaram, librettist Rob Handel, and HERE Arts Center artistic director Kristin Marting, inspiring {…}
(Credit: Matt Madison-Clark) Renowned composer Kamala Sankaram has joined forces with librettist Rob Handel to create “all decisions will be made by consensus,” the first Zoom opera. The work is set to premiere via the streaming platform on April 24, 020 at 1 p.m. with subsequent showcases set for April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively. {…}
The New York Festival of Song has announced its next two concerts set for March and April. On March 25, 2020, the company will showcase a celebration of the centennial of women’s suffrage in the U.S. This concert, entitled “And Still We Dream” will be curated by composers Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum and Laura Karpman. Both will showcase new pieces for the {…}
The New York City based Experiments in Opera has unveiled its 2019-20 season. “The 2019-2020 Season is our ninth year of programming adventurous, funny and intimate new opera,” stated the company’s composers-leaders Aaron Siegel, Jason Cady, and Kamala Sankaram in a press release. “We are delighted to partner with several of New York City’s preeminent live performance organizations to expand the {…}
Opera America has announced its 2017-18 Onstage at the Opera Center season and it will feature quite a number of exciting artists. Kicking off on Oct. 5, 2017, the season will feature three different series, including “Creators in Concert,” “Conversations,” and “Emerging Artist Recitals.” “Creators in Concert” will feature “Thumbprint” composer Kamala Sankaram on Oct. 19, 2017. Then on Feb. {…}