For many, Kathryn Lewek IS the Queen of the Night. She holds the record for most performances of the role at the Metropolitan Opera and has taken her interpretation of the famed villain to opera houses such as the Royal Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, and the Gran Teatre del Liceu, among many, many others. This summer, she will {…}
The Oratorio Society of New York, led by Music Director Kent Tritle, has released its lineup for its 2023-24 season and special concerts for the 150th Anniversary celebrations. The season kicks off with “Bach’s Magnificat and Mozart’s Requiem.” Joining the Orchestra of the Society as soloists are soprano Laquita Mitchell, mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford, tenor Eric Carey, and bass Adam Lau. {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond) It’s fair to say that the 2022-23 season at the Metropolitan Opera can be dubbed “The Mozart Season.” “Idomeneo” took the stage on the second night of the season with a tremendous cast reviving Jean-Pierre Ponelle’s classic production. During the holiday season, the Met turned to its workhorse Julie Taymour production of “The Magic Flute.” And to {…}
The Metropolitan Opera is set to close out its 2022–23 season with two Mozart works in new productions. The productions will be “Don Giovanni” with Ivo van Hove directing and “Die Zauberflöte” with Simon McBurney directing. “Don Giovanni,” which will be performed between May 5 and June 2, will star Peter Mattei in the title role, Adam Plachetka, Federica Lombardi, {…}
The New Choral Society has announced a cast change for its performance on April 30, 2023. The company said that Katherine Whyte would replace Kathryn Lewek, who is ill. Lewek also took to social media and said, “I’m very sad to announce my withdrawal from the New Choral Society’s performance of Haydn’s Creation this Sunday due to illness. Wishing all {…}
Ohio’s Toledo Opera has announced its lineup for the 2023-24 season. For its 65th season, the company will present three much-loved operatic works. First up is Gioachino Rossini’s “Cinderella.” The classic fairytale stars mezzo-soprano Sarah Coit as Angelina (Cinderella) and tenor David Walton as Prince Ramiro. Also among the cast are Adelmo Guidarelli, Keith Phares, Sara Mortensen, Imara Miles, and Jason {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced a number of cast changes for several productions. The company said that in “The Magic Flute” Nina Minasyan has withdrawn from the performances on Dec. 16, 19, 22, 28, 30, and Jan. 21, 24, and 27. The role of the Queen of the Night will now be performed by Aigul Khismatullina on Dec. 16, {…}
Soprano Kathryn Lewek and tenor Zach Borichevsky will premiere a special benefit concert in response to the global food crisis worsened by the war in Ukraine. Lewek and Borichevsky considered how they could support Ukraine and vulnerable populations facing increased food insecurity because of the war. In May 2022, the husband and wife duo presented “The Food of Love” – {…}
The Opéra de Nice has announced its 2022-23 season featuring seven operatic productions and concert performances. Opera The season opens with Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” starring Adrian Sâmpetrean, Sara Blanch, and Edgardo Rocha. Giuliano Carella conducts the production by Rolando Villazón, which is set for the Metropolitan Opera. Performance Date: Nov. 4-8, 2022 “Soirée comédie musicale” will feature Alexandra Cravero conducting {…}
Toledo Opera will present Verdi’s “La Traviata” in its return to the Valentine Theatre. The opera will be presented for the first time in 10 years and will be showcased on April 22 & 24. Toledo Opera will also host a free Pre-Opera Talk one hour before each show in the Grand Lobby of the Valentine Theatre. “La Traviata” will {…}
Toledo Opera is set to present “Get Into the Spirit of Opera” on March 24, 2022. The celebratory event aims to spotlight the upcoming opening of “La Traviata,” which is set to open on April 22, 2022. “Toledo Opera is excited to be producing a new opera after several months of hiatus following the postponement of ‘Blue’ in February. We are especially {…}