New Orleans Opera has announced a new Spring lecture series. The four lectures, which continue the “ALLONS!” series that kicked off last Fall, will all be hosted by General Director Clare Burovac. All events will take place via Zoom. “Opera is a centuries-old art form that has survived many trials including war, the Great Depression, and shifts in popular culture,” {…}
On February 15, 2021, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE will present the premiere of “Voice of Freedom,” a new documentary about renowned opera singer Marian Anderson. Hosted by Renée Elise Goldsberry, “Voice of Freedom” will follow Anderson’s life story, culminating with her historic 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial when she was barred from singing at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The work {…}
As Black History Month 2020 draws to a close, we take a look at some of the great black artists of the past and present for our latest word search. Instructions: You are free to solve the word search directly on your mobile or desktop device; just click the first and last letter of each word for it to appear {…}
Marian Anderson, born on Feb. 27, 1897, will forever be remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of opera. To commemorate the contralto’s birthday and what she means as a part of Black History Month, here is a quiz that tests you on her career exploits. As always, have fun.
(Credit: Lynn Lane) The Houston Grand Opera is set to showcase the 68th world premiere in company history when it opens “Marian’s Song” on March 5 and 6, 2020 at the Cullenter of the Wortham Theater Center. The opera, which is written by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and composed by Damien Sneed, is based on the life of the legendary opera {…}
With the New York Opera Fest 2018 officially underway, OperaWire will be showcasing small previews for each major participant at the festival, as we did during last year’s event. However, we are doing things a bit differently this year and giving the floor directly to each company to speak to you, the reader, directly. Enjoy! If you are looking for {…}
Happy Birthday United States of America! Today on July 4 we celebrate the birth of the US with its musical symbol of Independence, the Star Spangled Banner. Over the years, many opera stars have interpreted the famed musical anthem in iconic settings. On this day, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton will add her own rendition to the Macy’s July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza. {…}
The final days of Black History Month coincide with the birthday of one of the great black singers in the history of opera, quite possibly the most important. While Leontyne Price belongs in the pantheon of the world’s greatest singers and is quite possibly the most famous ever, Marian Anderson, born on Feb. 27, 1897, was the one that allowed {…}
For the past two weeks we have honored the black singers making strides in today’s diverse opera world. But unfortunately, as has been the case in many social situations, the opera world was not always that diverse and the black community was not always a lock for representation on the biggest stages. But throughout the years major operatic pioneers manage {…}
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Washington National Opera have announced that countertenor John Holiday is the 2017 winner of the Marian Anderson Vocal Award. The Award, which honors trailblazing contralto Marian Anderson’s personal and humanitarian achievements, celebrates excellence in performance by recognizing a young American singer who has achieved initial professional success in the vocal arts and who {…}
Rudolf Bing’s name towers in the world of opera. The Austrian-born impresario, born on January 9, 1902, has an enduring legacy, in many ways tainted by the scandals and feuds Bing was known to have with the opera’s greatest figures and lesser-known figures during many of the company’s most tumultuous years. But to see the general manager who wielded his {…}