Karen Slack, Marina Viotti, Nicholas Phan & Kaija Saariaho Win Major Classical Grammy Awards

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 {…}

Kristine Opolais, Bryn Terfel, Federica Lombardi & Karen Slack Lead Tanglewood Festival’s 2025 Season

(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 {…}

Lyric Opera of Chicago Presents Special Events for ‘Blue’ Premiere

(Photo credit: Clärchen & Matthias Baus/Dutch National Opera) Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s “Blue” makes its Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere from Nov. 16 to Dec. 1. The company has announced special events to take place in conjunction with the opera. Lyric Unlimited, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Learning and Civic Engagement department, invites the public into spaces of reflection, healing, {…}

Karen Slack Announces Three-Part Recital Series With Lyric Opera of Chicago

(Credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that Karen Slack, the company’s “Lyric Unlimited Artist-in-Residence, will present a three-part recital series. First up, on Nov. 12, the soprano will present “Of Thee I Sing! Songs of Love and Justice.” This showcase with pianist Kamilla Arku and visual designer Angela Owens highlights Langston Hughes’ “The Kids Who Die,” {…}

Q&A: ONEcomposer’s Stephen Spinelli & Tamara Acosta on Florence Price & ‘Beyond the Years’

Stephen Spinelli and Tamara Acosta, the co-founders of ONEcomposer talked with OperaWire about their research and the importance of documenting the lives and work of underrepresented composers. Specifically they dive into their finding on Florence Price and the creation of the new album, “Beyond the Years,” with Karen Slack and Michelle Cann. “Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price” {…}

Ginaia Black, Erin Roth Thomas, Nathaniel Catasca, & Matthew Maisano Among Portland Opera’s 2024-25 Resident Artists

Portland Opera has announced its selections for the company’s Resident Artist program for the 2024-25 season. The artists in residence for the 60th anniversary season are soprano Ginaia Black, mezzo-soprano Erin Roth Thomas, tenor Nathaniel Catasca, and baritone Matthew Maisano. Collaborative pianist Claire Forstman returns for a second year. For eight months, the residents will study with primary vocal coach Paul {…}

Karen Slack’s ‘African Queens’ Headlines 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series

(Credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Soprano Karen Slack will headline Music Academy of the West’s recently announced 2024-25 Mariposa Concert Series. Her new recital “African Queens,” featuring pianist Kevin Miller will kick the series off. The program, dubbed as “an evening-length vocal recital of brilliantly curated new art songs celebrating the history and legacy of seven African Queens,” includes music by {…}