This week the Arizona Opera is set to open its season with Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” featuring two stellar casts including Leah Hawkins, one of the most promising young singers of her generation. The soprano, who hails from Philadelphia, is set to have one of her most exciting seasons yet featuring numerous role debuts and house debuts. With Ariadne, Hawkins {…}
The Pittsburgh Opera is set to open its 84th season with a historic production of “Rusalka.” The Dvořák work, which is known as the “Opera’s Little Mermaid,” will star Ekaterina Siurina in the title role alongside Marianne Cornetti, Hao Jiang Tian, Jonathan Burton, and Leah Hawkins. The cast is rounded out by Julia Swan Laird, Emily Richter, Jazmine Olwalia, and {…}
The Santa Fe Opera has announced its 2023 season and revealed its 19th world premiere slated for 2024. The company noted that in 2024, the company has commissioned a new opera by two of America’s most exciting talents, composer Gregory Spears and former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy K. Smith titled “The Righteous.” The 2023 Season The Santa Fe Opera’s 66th Festival {…}
(Credit: Columbia Artists) Baltimore Concert Opera is set to present “Adriana Lecouvreur” starting on April 22, 2022. Leah Hawkins, Melody Wilson, Matthew Vickers, Benjamin Taylor, Brian Wallin, and Jesús Vicente Murillo star with Joy Schrier at the piano. Laurie Rogers conducts. There will also be a host of pre-opera class series on April 7, 14, 21, and 28. There will {…}
The American Opera Project has announced its February 2022 slate which will feature two performances. First up, audiences will get a chance to see “Tea with Takesha.” The virtual performance kicks off at 3 p.m. ET and will include special guest appearances from contralto Nicole Mitchell and conductor J. David Jackson. The event will be hosted by American Opera Project’s {…}
Photo: Roger Mastroianni The Cleveland Orchestra has announced its 2022 Blossom Music Festival, presented by The J.M. Smucker Company. The Festival, which features 10 weeks of concerts from Fourth of July through Labor Day, comprises nineteen concerts, with programs ranging from Beethoven to film scores to Broadway. All concerts will take place at Blossom Music Center and attendance is free {…}
The New Century Chamber Orchestra has canceled its “Hope Leads Appalachian Spring” performances. The orchestra noted that due to rising COVID-19 cases, it has made the decision to cancel the four concerts which were scheduled to be performed in Berkeley, Rohnert Park, Stanford, and San Francisco. The concerts were expected to take place on Jan. 20, 21, 22, and 23, {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced plans to perform Anthony Davis and Thulani Davis’ “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” during the 2023-24 season. The opera will feature the directing debut of Robert O’Hara, making him the second Black director in Met history. Audiences will see Will Liverman in the title role alongside Leah Hawkins as Louise and Malcolm’s {…}
Credit: (Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera) August 8, 2021, saw the return of the Metropolitan Opera’s SummerStage Recital for a single evening of operatic favorites from acclaimed artists. Opera lovers new and old gathered in Central Park amid the fog and rain with their spirits mostly undamped. The artistic lineup was comprised of tenor Paul Appleby, soprano Leah Hawkins, and {…}
(Credit: Columbia Artists) Maryland’s Mid-Altanic Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2021-22 season which will feature a return to full orchestral works. For the purposes of this article we will only focus on the vocal and operatic performances. The orchestra will celebrate the holiday season with Norah Amsellem in annual Holiday Joy concert. The concert will feature festival holiday music. Julien {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a summer recital set for August 8, 2021 at the SummerStage in Central Park. The showcase, which will start at 7 p.m., will feature soprano Leah Hawkins, tenor Paul Appleby, baritone Will Liverman, and pianist Bryan Wagorn. The soloists will perform a program featuring arias and duets. Doors open at 5 p.m. but audiences will {…}