***As of the writing of this piece, Leonard Bernstein is 100-years-old. Born on August 25, 1918, Bernstein (who was actually born with the name Louis, which he changed to Leonard legally at age 15), he would go on to become one of the great icons of American music. He studied at Harvard and then Curtis, and it wasn’t long before {…}
Two releases this week will celebrate Leonard Bernstein. The first is a compilation of opera overtures conducted by the legendary conductor/composer and the other will showcase the debut album of soprano Nadine Sierra, who celebrates the composer’s centennial in her first recorded set. Overture Sony Classical is set to release a compilation of opera overtures conducted by Leonard Bernstein. The CD {…}
On August 24, 2018, soprano Nadine Sierra’s upcoming debut album “There’s a Place for Us,” will be released through Deutsche Grammophon and Universal Music Group, via their Decca Gold record label. More than just her debut album, the recording carries deep meaning for Nadine Sierra, as she uses her artistry to convey a message of love and inclusion for people {…}
Tanglewood has announced that its star-studded gala concert, celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s centennial on August 25, 2018, will be recorded by Great Performances and broadcast on PBS, bringing this event to audiences in their homes throughout America, Europe, and Asia on December 28, 2018. The concert will be hosted by Audra McDonald and directed by James Darrah; among the names appearing {…}
It’s an interesting question: should opera companies stage musicals? On one hand — especially for US opera companies and festivals — you can argue that it is a uniquely American art from, this descendant of operetta that entertains audiences all the way from Broadway and the West End, to Sydney and Shanghai. And, you might also argue that it is music, {…}
As their 2018 Festival season draws to a close, Central City Opera has announced a run of performances certain to end things with a bang. “Encore: A Musical Revue,” running August 8, 9, and 11, 2018, will offer audiences in the Colorado region a night of musical theatre, with old and new selections from Broadway and Off-Broadway’s most celebrated names. {…}
Hollywood will celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with not one but two movies. During the Cannes Film Festival, it was announced that Bradley Cooper will star in and direct a biopic based on the famed conductor-composer entitled “Bernstein.” The film was written by Josh Singer, who wrote the Oscar-nominated film “The Post” and Paramount Pictures and Amblin Entertainment will co-finance the film {…}
The 2018 Schwabacher Recital Series is readying to end with a bang; following the last three performances from the opera world’s next generation of stars, the series will conclude on April 4 with a recital featuring soprano Natalie Image, mezzo-soprano Ashley Dixon, tenor Amitai Pati, and bass-baritone Christian Pursell, led by pianist Kevin Murphy. San Francisco Opera Center Director Sheri {…}
The Olivier Awards are set to air on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Those outside of the UK can tune in on the Facebook page of the Olivier Awards or through the radio coverage on Sirius XM. The ceremony will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall, where it will be hosted by Catherine Tate. Highlights of the evening will include {…}
In 2017, countertenor John Holiday took home the distinguished Marian Anderson Vocal Award, which not only recognizes him as an artist with a bright future lying ahead but also allows him to share that zeal in a spirited recital on Thursday, February 15 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Operawire had the chance to speak with John Holiday to {…}
Making its premiere on December 1st, 1956, Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” is adapted from a novella of the same name written by the Enlightenment-era philosopher Voltaire. Being a comic operetta, it satirizes the prevailing attitudes of Voltaire’s time, particularly those of the church and of monarchism. Playwright and librettist Lillian Hellman saw clear parallels between the Inquisition of Voltaire’s time and {…}