Tulsa Opera Removes Composer Daniel Roumain From Concert Commemorating Race Massacre Over One Word

This is a developing story. It has been updated since its publication with additional statements from the Tulsa Opera, co-curator Howard Watkins, and Daniel Roumain. Composer Daniel Roumain has revealed that Tulsa Opera has fired him its upcoming “Greenwood Overcomes” due to creative differences. Roumain made the announcement on Sunday via social media. In a follow-up statement he made to OperaWire, {…}

Mar 1, 2021

Tulsa Opera to Commemorate Centennial of Tulsa Race Masscare With Concert Featuring World Premieres by Black Composers

Tulsa Opera is set to commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre on May 1, 2021. The showcase, which is entitled “Greenwood Overcomes,” will feature songs and arias by living Black composers, performed by Black opera artists. The concert will feature four Tulsa Opera-commissioned world premieres by such composers as David Bontemps, Anthony Davis, Stewart Goodyear, Nkeiru Okoye, and {…}

Oct 2, 2020

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 {…}

Aug 31, 2020

Bayerische Staatsoper to Stream ‘7 Deaths of Maria Callas’

On Sept. 5, the Bayerische Staatsoper will stream the highly anticipated work the “7 Deaths of Maria Callas.” The work, which is a creation by Marina Abramović, will stream on the Munich opera company’s website in co-production with BR Klassik and ARTE concert at 6:30 pm German time. The work is comprised of seven different arias that Maria Callas made {…}

Aug 31, 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 {…}

Jun 24, 2020

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 {…}

Dec 31, 2019

OperaWire’s Top 10 Must-See Operas In 2020

(Credit: Dario Acosta/Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Music/Paola Kudacki / Met Opera) The year 2019 offered up its fair share of amazing opera experiences. As the calendar changes to 2020, OperaWire is taking a look at some of the most hotly anticipated performances that the New Year will have to offer for audiences. Without further ado, here are the top 10 {…}

Dec 7, 2019

Best Of 2019: OperaWire’s Top 10 Rising Stars Of 2019

(Credit: Elena-Cherkashyna/ Arielle Doneson/ Fay Fox) It’s that time of year during which we look back at the past 365 days and the big moments that defined them. Every year, the opera world has its share of rising and breakout artists that are likely to become the next generation of stars. These singers are discovered in competitions, festivals or young {…}

Nov 26, 2019

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 {…}

Nov 23, 2019

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, {…}

Nov 6, 2019

Met Opera Announces Event To Commemorate Jessye Norman’s Life & Career

The Metropolitan Opera has announced that it will be hosting a celebration in honor of legendary soprano Jessye Norman on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. Norman passed away on Sept. 30, 2019. The event, which will be open to the public, will feature perforamcnes from leading artists as including J’Nai Bridges, Lise Davidsen, Leah Hawkins, Latonia Moore, and Eric Owens. There {…}

leah hawkins