Sing for Hope, The Museum of Jewish Heritage, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene & Lang Lang International Music Foundation to Present Historic Concert

On Sunday, June 14, the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, Sing for Hope, and Lang Lang International Music Foundation will join forces to present “We Are Here: A Celebration of Resilience, Resistance, and Hope.” The special live-streamed concert event, which will be presented by a network of more than 125 {…}

Jun 8, 2020

10 Essential & Historic Opera Recordings of Music by Black Composers (Updated with Addendum)

June 8th marks the start of African-American Music Appreciation Month. While the talent and musical accomplishments of the black community cannot possibly be summarized in one article, we have compiled a list of notable recordings of not only great singers, but also composers whose works have been overlooked for decades, even centuries. In recent years more attention has finally been {…}

Apr 28, 2020

CD Review: Pentatone’s ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’

No doubt the legacy of “Cavalleria Rusticana” is reaching far back into the history of recording; from the 1909 version of the Odeon Orchestra to the milestones of the LP era. Its prominence has not even slowed with the advent of the compact disc or indeed the reprinting of forgotten lore, including the 1938 performance of Lina Bruna Rasa. One {…}

Apr 17, 2020

Nina Stemme, Brian Jagde & Anna Prohaska Lead New CD/DVD Releases

This week as you continue at home, there are a number of new albums that you can check out. Here are the latest releases we recommend you listen to. Cavalleria Rusticana Marek Janowski and the Dresdner Philharmonie present a new recording of Mascagni’s masterpiece. The new recording brings together an acclaimed group of soloists Melody Moore as Santuzza, Brian Jagde {…}

Mar 2, 2020

Michael Fabiano, Nadine Sierra, Thomas Hampson Headline Festival Napa Valley 2020

(Credit: James Weber/ Merri Cyr) The Festival Napa Valley has announced its 2020 slate which features a wide range of unique musical performances. For the purpose of this article, we will only focus on vocal performances. The opening night showcase will be headlined by baritone Thomas Hampson, who will perform “Song of America.” The concert, which will also feature pianist {…}

Jan 31, 2020

Amanda Majeski, Lester Lynch & Rebecca Evans Highlight Welsh National Opera’s 2020-21 Season

The Welsh National Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring six productions on the main stage. Here is a look at what to expect. Autumn 2020 The season opens with a revival of Janáček and Preissová’s “Jenůfa” starring Amanda Majeski in the title role. She is joined by a cast that includes Peter Berger, Helena Zubanovich, Ed Lyon and Rhodri {…}

Nov 22, 2019

Nadine Sierra & Lester Lynch To Perform Alongside Young People’s Chorus of New York

The Young People’s Chorus of New York has unveiled its 2019 holiday festival schedule. For opera lovers, the main event will undoubtedly be the concert on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 when the ensemble will present its annual “Winter Wonder: A Festival Holiday Concert.” The showcase will take place at the David Geffen Hall this season and will feature soprano Nadine {…}

Aug 26, 2019

Seattle Opera 2019-20 Review: Rigoletto

(Credit Sunny Martini) Right from the start of Seattle Opera’s “Rigoletto,” stage director Lindy Hume signaled not to expect the evening to adhere too closely to operatic convention. The curtain went up suddenly with the house lights still on, showing us, in silence, a man dressed as a waiter or Maitre D’ sitting on a deluxe leather sofa in a {…}

Apr 18, 2019

Lester Lynch & Laurel Semerdjian Headline Florentine Opera’s 2019-20 Season

Florentine Opera has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include three operas and an artist showcase. The first opera of the season will be Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” featuring the debuts of Calvin Griffin in the title role, Abigail Levis as Cherubino, and Alisa Calvin as the Countess, Ariana Douglas as Susanna, and Alexander Dobson as the Count. Shawna Lucey directs {…}

Apr 6, 2019

Lisette Oropesa & Charles Castronovo Headline Washington DC Opera’s 2019-20 Season

The Washington Concert Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring two operatic performances, which are set to be performed at Lisner Auditorium. The season opens with Thomas’ rarely performed work “Hamlet” featuring acclaimed soprano Lisette Oropesa, Jacques Imbrailo, Eve Gigliotti, and Jonas Hacker. Performance Date: Nov. 24, 2019. The second opera of the season is set to be Verdi’s “Simon {…}

Mar 5, 2019

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Leads Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2019-20 Season

The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season with Yannick Nézet-Séguin celebrating his eighth season as music director. Here is a look at the vocal highlights for the orchestra next season. Nézet-Séguin and the Fabulous Philadelphians launch the 120th season with an Opening Night Concert and Gala featuring legendary opera singer Plácido Domingo. The evening, which marks the start of Nézet-Séguin’s {…}