The GRAMMY-nominated Miró Quartet will join GRAMMY-winning soprano Karen Slack for the world premiere performances of “Pleasure Garden” by composer Tamar-kali. The work is co-commissioned by Arizona Friends of Chamber Music and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, with premieres scheduled for Jan. 28, 2026, in Tucson and Feb. 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. The Jan. 28 performance will take place at {…}
The Curtis Institute of Music has announced several major appointments to its voice and opera department beginning in the 2025–26 school year. Among the artists joining the faculty are bass-baritones Patrick Carfizzi and Alan Held; baritone Elliot Madore (Opera ’10, Voice ’09); and sopranos Amanda Majeski (Opera ’09), Jennifer Rowley, and Karen Slack (Opera ’02). Moreover, the institution has announced {…}
Piedmont Opera announces its 49th season. Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” opens the season. Benjamin Werley, Cadie J. Bryan, and Jonathan Bryan are among the cast. Chas Rader-Shieber directs. Joseph Mechavich conducts the Winston-Salem Symphony. Performance Dates: November 8, 9, & 11, 2025 A festive in-home Holiday Concert features soprano Jill Gardner and pianist Joseph Mechavich. Performance Date: December 5, 2025 Bass-baritone Richard {…}
The Newport Classical Music Festival announces its 2025 season. This article only features classical voice performances. “Opera Night: An American Tapestry” features sopranos Sarah Tucker and Melissa Joseph, mezzo-soprano Renée Rapier, tenor Dane Suarez, and bass Michael Colman, with pianist and narrator Charlie Kim. The program features English arias from works such as “Porgy and Bess,” “The Ballad of Baby {…}
American soprano Karen Slack has joined the Only Stage Arts Management roster. Slack will be managed by Susanna Stefani Caetani and Chrisni Mendis. The Grammy award-winning soprano recently launched “African Queens,” a major nationwide recital tour premiering works by leading composers at festivals like Ravinia, Aspen, and Tanglewood. She has performed at leading theaters including the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie {…}
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2025-26 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances. Fabio Luisi and Sofia Fomina lead a program of Mahler and Haydn. Performance Dates: Oct. 2 & 5, 2025 Fabio Luisi and Inon Barnatan lead a program with the Dallas Symphony Chorus of music by Angelica Negron, Gerswhin, and Gould. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}
Karen Slack will headline the inaugural Festival Mahagony at Rutgers University. The festival, which opens on Feb. 28 and runs through March 2, 2025 will feature four concerts with the opener and closer led by conductor Marlon Daniel. While the first showcase on Feb. 28 will be an orchestral music-only performance, the final one, “American Portrait” will be headlined by {…}
The 92nd Street Y is set to present Karen Slack & Kevin Miller in “African Queens.” The concert will be presented on March 11, 2025, at the Buttenwieser Hall at The Arnhold Center and streaming online. Grammy Award winner and Sphinx Medal of Excellence winner Slack will offer the New York premiere of her new commissioning project “African Queens.” The {…}
Following several cancelations and protests, Karen Slack has announced she will still sing at the Kennedy Center. The soprano took to social media and said, “The way Ms. Rutter speaks about art and artists is inspiring. I will not be canceling African Queens next month. How can I sing about powerful women who fought against oppression on a recital named {…}
The Grammy Awards announced its 2025 winners on Feb. 2, 2025. Here is a look at the classical music winners. The Best Opera Recording went to “Saariaho: Adriana Mater.” The award was shared by Kaija Saariaho, Amin Maalouf, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Fleur Barron, Nicholas Phan, Christopher Purves, Axelle Fanyo, San Francisco Symphony Chorus & Orchestra. Best Classical Vocal Album went to Karen {…}
(Credit: Boston Symphony Orchestra) The Tanglewood Festival has announced the 2025 season. In a statement by Andris Nelsons, the conductor said, “We are excited for another fantastic summer at Tanglewood, full of exceptional music in the beautiful surroundings of the Berkshires. We are delighted to perform Puccini’s ‘Tosca’ with Kristine Opolais and Bryn Terfel, and excerpts from Prokofiev’s ‘Romeo and Juliet; with {…}
