Lyric Fest has reveal a lineup of concerts in the Philadelphia metro area and a revival performance of “Cotton” at New York’s 92nd Street Y. Included in the program is a new commission from composer Benjamin P. Wenzelberg that explores Mexican song. Also on the schedule is a celebration of the renowned song composer Ned Rorem. Featured performers include Michelle {…}
Lyric Fest will close out its 2022-2023 season with a program entitled “Bewitched.” The showcase, which is scheduled for May 23, 2023 at the Community Center and May 24 at The Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, will feature mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis and baritone Brian Major. They will be joined by pianist John Conahan and saxophonist Ron Kerber who will bring {…}
Lyric Fest will present “Metamorphosis of Plants” in celebration of Earth Day inspired by Goethe’s poem by the same name. The first of two concerts will take place on Earth Day, April 22 at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA at 8 pm. The program will feature botanical-themed songs by Schubert, Brahms, Beethoven, Wolf, Mahler, and others. Soprano Kristina Bachrach, {…}
Lyric Fest’s 20th anniversary season, which coincides with its 2022-23 edition, has been announced. This season will feature a world premiere opera by Damien Geter and several milestone celebrations. “Elysian Fields” is the season opener. Soprano Magdalena Kuźma, and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce will perform solo and duets, entitled “dawns, visions, and dreams.” The young artists will be joined by Laura {…}
Lyric Fest will conclude its 2021-22 season with “My Favorite Things” on June 11, 2022. The showcase, which will star soprano Jennifer Aylmer and pianist Laura Ward, will take place at the Academy of Vocal Arts. The program includes works by Schubert, Bizet and Irving Berlin, among others, as well as a work especially composed for Aylmer, entitled “Dead Mall {…}
Lyric Fest is set to present “Anything Goes: Cole Porter – Uncensored,” a musical biography of American composer Cole Porter, on May 17 and 18, 2022. The program will feature baritone Randall Scarlata, mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis, and pianist Laura Ward as they perform “Anything Goes,” “Let’s Do It,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re The Top,” {…}
Lyric Fest is set to present “The Song Catcher: The Folk Song Re-imagined” on April 9 and 10, 2022. The showcase will feature new works by such composers as Gregory Brown, John Conahan, Michael Djupstrom, Melissa Dunphy, Jennifer Higdon, Allen Krantz, Gilda Lyons, Robert Maggio, Jeffrey Scott, and Benjamin P. Wenzelberg with performances by Charlotte Blake Alston, Steven Brennfleck, Cree {…}
(Credit: Lyric Fest) Lyric Fest presents three performances of “Yiddishe Nightingale,” a special concert on the history of the American Yiddish Theater. The concerts will showcase a repertoire that hails from the Ashkenazi traditions of many Central European countries. The performances will feature mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Shammash and baritone Thom King alongside pianist Zalmen Mlotek. “Lyric Fest is excited to return {…}
Lyric Fest is set to premiere a brand new, immersive multimedia commission, “COTTON.” The new work is set to premiere on Nov. 12, 2022 at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, as part of its 20th Anniversary season. The work will later be performed in Washington, D.C., and New York City. The project will bring together John Dowell’s fine art photography; newly {…}
Lyric Fest will present two performances of “My Letter to the World” on Dec. 11 at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church and on Dec. 12, 2021 at the Academy of Vocal Arts. The showcase, which focuses on the life and work of Emily Dickinson, will star soprano Christine Lyons, mezzo-soprano Pascale Spinney, tenor Aaron Crouch, and baritone Gregory Feldmann. Joining them {…}