Weekend Preview (4/7-9) – USA: Anna Netrebko, Lawrence Brownlee & Eric Owens Lead Busy Weekend Which Features Performances in Memphis, Nashville, Tampa & Palm Beach Among Others

It is going to be a busy opera weekend around the US with a plethora of companies, both large and small, giving new productions and old. Opera Memphis will showcase three works throughout the weekend including Peter Hilliard’s “Blue Viola” on Friday and Saturday, Jake Heggie’s “Three Decembers” on Saturday,” and John Musto’s “Later the Same Evening” on Saturday. Palm {…}

Mar 29, 2017

How President Donald Trump’s Federal Budget Cuts to NEA Would Hurt Opera Companies

On March 16, 2017, President Donald Trump formally released his outline for the 2018 Federal Budget, officially making clear his intent to defund numerous agencies and projects while investing billions into the already well-funded military complex. Among the agencies getting the boot was the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which provides tremendous support for numerous arts organizations. As noted {…}

Mar 24, 2017

Weekend Preview USA (3/24-26): Diana Damrau, Plácido Domingo & Vittorio Grigolo Open “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” at LA Opera

Diana Damrau, Vittorio Grigolo, and Plácido Domingo will take the opera world by storm this weekend when they join forces for Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” at the Los Angeles Opera. The first performance of the six-show run takes place this Saturday evening. Damrau was originally scheduled to sing all four heroines but has since rescinded this commitment, opting for only {…}

Mar 17, 2017

Weekend Preview (3/17-19) – USA: LoftOpera, Florida Grand & Boston Theater Return To The Stage

LoftOpera has made a statement over the past few years, establishing itself as the best of independent opera on the East Coast. The company makes its big return this weekend with a performance of Rossini’s “Otello.” The company, which managed a huge success in the winter with Verdi’s “Macbeth,” reopened its doors on Thursday, its second performance coming on Saturday {…}

Mar 10, 2017

Weekend Preview (3/10-12) – USA: Dallas, Minnesota, San Diego & Naples Audiences Get New Operas to See

Many opera companies get back in on the action this weekend from all around the country in one of the busier weekends of the season. The Dallas Opera makes its great return on Friday, March 10 with a production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” Hui He stars in the leading role with Gianluca Terranova, Lucas Meachem and Manuela Custer rounding out the {…}

Mar 5, 2017

Lyric Opera Of Chicago 2016-17 Review – ‘Carmen:’ Dramatic Depth & Power Is Lacking Despite Vocal Finesse Throughout the Cast

izet’sThis review is in reference to the performance on Friday, March 3, 2017. With Bizet’s ever-famous score full of ear tingling music, catchy tunes, and drama-packed scenes, an evening of Carmen is a guaranteed great night at the opera, making this the perfect way for first-timers to first dip their toes into the operatic repertory. The Leads Lyric Opera’s production {…}

Mar 3, 2017

Weekend Preview (3/3-5) – USA: Pretty Yende returns to Met Stage for ‘Roméo et Juliette’

A French classic returns to the Met stage this weekend as the other major companies around the states continue business as usual. Audiences will get a chance to relive Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” at the Met with a new cast starring Pretty Yende and Stephen Costello. The following day, Massenet’s “Werther,” which was widely praised (including by OperaWire) makes its {…}

Feb 24, 2017

Weekend Preview (2/24-26) – USA: A Western, A Heggie & A Floyd Make Major Premieres This Weekend

A new opera starts its life on Saturday while a rarity gets its premiere in a major city and a modern masterwork arrives in our nation’s capital. Yes, opera is finally starting to bloom around the States, with many smaller companies getting in on the act. Arizona Opera is showcasing the world premiere of Bohmler’s “Riders of the Purple Sage.” {…}

Feb 17, 2017

Weekend Preview (USA) – 2/17-19: Patricia Racette’s ‘Salome’ & Stewart Copeland’s ‘Invention of Morel’ Open

Prepare yourself for two high profile premieres this weekend on opposite sides of the country. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Opera lifts the curtain on “Salome” starring Patricia Racette in the role that she dominated at the Metropolitan Opera. Regarding her performance OperaWire wrote, “she dominated the stage in one of her greatest achievements on the Met stage.” Another major {…}

Feb 14, 2017

5 Exciting Singers You Cannot Miss At The 2017-18 Lyric Opera Of Chicago Season

The Lyric Opera of Chicago announced its 2017-18 Season last week, which included a number of new productions and some of the most exciting singers in the industry. The following is a list of the stars OperaWire suggests audiences should not miss next season. Ben Bernheim Bernheim is easily becoming one of the fastest rising stars in the opera world {…}

Feb 10, 2017

Weekend Preview (2/10-12) – USA: Verdi, Bellini & Bizet Dominate in NYC, Houston & Chicago

This weekend, US audiences will get a chance to see a few major stars appear on two of the world’s biggest stages. To kick things off is the opening of “I Puritani” at the Metropolitan Opera featuring Javier Camarena and Diana Damrau. The performance kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST. Keep an eye out for a review from OperaWire at {…}

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