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 {…}
(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, {…}
(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,” {…}
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 “Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price” {…}
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 {…}
(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 {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get to hear two high anticipated album debuts by two celebrated performers. There are also reissues and the completion of an acclaimed Ring Cycle. O Sole Mio – Reissue Decca Classics reissues Luciano Pavarotti’s classic album. The album showcases {…}
(Credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Few sopranos have managed to build as diverse a career as Karen Slack has over the past few years. Throughout the pandemic, Slack made numerous premiere digital performances with such companies as the Houston Grand Opera, Madison Opera, and Minnesota Opera. She launched her digital talk show “#kikikonversations.” She’s been a massive advocate for new works, {…}
(Kia Caldwell Photography) The 92nd Street Y in New York City has announced its 2024-25 Tisch Music Season. Here is a rundown of the classical vocal performances. Vocalist and composer Caroline Shaw headlines “Rectangles and Circumstance” alongside Alica Olatuka and So Percussion. Performance Date: Oct. 23, 2024 Soprano Julia Bullock and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment present “The Golden {…}