Antonio Pappano, Leah Hawkins & Markus Werba Lead Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia’s 2020-21 Season

(Credit: Musacchio & Ianniello) The Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy has announced its 2020-21 season. For the purposes of this article, we will only focus on the vocal performances. The season opens with Gerhild Romberger and Clay Hilley performing Bruckner’s “Te Deum” and Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde.” Antonio Pappano conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 16-18, 2020 {…}

Sonya Yoncheva, Karita Mattila, Angel Blue, Lisette Oropesa, Charles Castronovo Headline Top 10 Operas to Stream This Week

September brings the opening of several major companies in Europe. And that means new streaming opportunities of concerts and operas. Before we kick off our list, don’t forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in opera with such programs as Karen Slack’s “KikiKonversations,” Kenneth Overton’s “Black Opera Live,” and Mark S. Doss’ “Heart and Soul” series {…}

Ailyn Pérez, Golda Schultz, Étienne Dupuis, Adela Zaharia Headline New Productions Added to Bayerische 2020-21 Season

(Credit: Askonas Holt /Gregor Röhrig / Julien Fauguere / Chris Singer) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced a major change to its 2020-21 season, adding several productions to the slate. New Productions The company will world premiere “7 Deaths of Maria Callas” on Sept. 1, 2020. The opera had previously been slated to have its first performances at the tail-end of {…}

Metropolitan Opera Honors Legendary Soprano Jessye Norman With Heart-Warming Tribute

On November 24, 2019, audiences gathered at the Metropolitan Opera to pay tribute to the life and career of Jessye Norman. The event comprised of musical performances, video highlights of Jessye’s performances, and statements from her family, friends, and colleagues. First among these highlights were two clips of Norman singing “Amazing Grace,” from her performances at the 1997 Presidential Inauguration {…}

Q & A: Soprano Leah Hawkins On Met Opera ‘Porgy and Bess,’ Maria Callas’ 7 Deaths & the Importance of Trust

(Credit: Columbia Artists) On Sept. 23, soprano Leah Hawkins, a member of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, took part in the historic opening night performance of Gerswhin’s “Porgy and Bess” with the esteemed New York company.  the Metropolitan Opera. While she was not one of the major headliners in a cast that feature Angel Blue, {…}