The Los Angeles Opera has announced that it will return to live, in-person performances starting with a June 6 performance of Stravinsky’s “Oedipus Rex.” The showcase will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and will represent the company’s premiere of the opera. James Conlon will conduct the performance, which will star Russell Thomas, J’Nai Bridges, John Relyea, Morris Robinson, {…}
Philanthropists Terri and Jerry Kohl have made a significant, $5 million gift to LA Opera, as well as pledging a challenge grant in support of the company’s orchestra. This donation marks the largest gift that the company has received since the pandemic, and is among the largest in the organization’s history. In recognition of the gift, the company has named {…}
Los Angeles Opera has announced the launch of the Signature Recital Series, which will showcase world-class artists in intimate online performances. The series will feature Russell Thomas, J’Nai Bridges, Christine Goerke, Julia Bullock, and Susan Graham. Performances will be filmed in venues across the country and in Europe and will be available for on-demand viewing for several weeks after their initial {…}
The Los Angeles Opera will co-present, in collaboration with Opera Philadelphia, an online broadcast of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “Breaking the Waves.” “Breaking the Waves” will be available for free through the LA Opera’s streaming platform, first for subscribers from March 12 to 18 and then to the general public from March 19 until April 12, 2021. It will {…}
On Feb. 19, 2021, LA Opera will present the online world premiere of a new digital short film, entitled “Death.” This upcoming work comes from celebrated composer Tyshawn Sorey and filmmaker Nadia Hallgren, whose documentary on Michelle Obama, “Becoming,” was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Adapting the poem of the same name by turn-of-the-century Black poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, “Death” {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) The Los Angeles Opera has announced that tenor Russell Thomas will be joining the company in a major leadership role. Per an official press release, Thomas, as an Artist in Residence, will have major influence over the company in its artistic planning and casting. He will also contribute in the day-to-day operations, community engagement, fundraising, marketing, and {…}
The Los Angeles Opera has announced the election of Janet J. Ciriello, William Chase Hodge-Brokenburr, and Shirley Starke-Wallace to its Board. Ciriello is a clinical psychologist and author who, together with Nicholas Ciriello, formed the Janet and Nicholas Ciriello Endowed Scholarship Fund to help a student with financial need gain access to a Sarah Lawrence education. She is also an {…}
The holidays are in the air and with them come a number of major opera performances and productions from around the world. Those who want to get into the holiday spirit have a lot of options available this week, while those seeking out some more traditional opera experiences from the comfort of their homes also have a lot to look {…}
(Credit: Billy Yates) The Los Angeles Opera has announced the launch of “Las Cinco Lunas de Lorca,” by composer Gabriela Lena Frank and librettist Nilo Cruz. In this opera, which is a newly commissioned revision of a 2016 version, Frank reveals the life and death of the poet Federico García Lorca and reveals the political and cultural intolerance that he {…}
The Los Angeles Opera has announced changes to the remainder of its 2020-21 season and officially announced its 2021-22 season. Due to ongoing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the company will refrain from any indoor performances until, at the earliest, the 2021-22 season. The new season will kick off with a production of “Il Trovatore” starring Guanqun Yu will {…}
The Los Angeles Opera has announced its upcoming schedule of streams on “LA Opera On Now.” Following its stream of “The Anonymous Lover” on Nov. 14, the company will turn to another edition of “Opera Family Time” with soprano Jamie Chamberlin and tenor Nathan Granner (and Esther the opera dog!). The duo will endeavor to prep everyone for Thanksgiving. Streaming Date: {…}