Metropolitan Opera Celeste player Cecilia Brauer has died. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra announced the passing noting “we are saddened by the passing of one of the sweetest women ever to grace the pit. Cecilia Brauer passed away following the recent death of her brother Ray Gniewek, longtime Concertmaster of the Met Orchestra for 43 years.” Brauer was the orchestra’s Celeste {…}
PBS has announced that it will start broadcasting “Wagnerians in Concert” from the Met Opera on Nov. 5, 2021. The showcase stars Elza van den Heever, Christine Goerke, Michael Volle, and Andreas Schager, accompanied by pianist Craig Terry. The quartet, which performed from Wiesbaden in Germany, took on music from “Tannhäuser,” “Parsifal,” “Die Walküre,” “Die Frau ohne Schatten,” and more, {…}
(Credit: Eric Vogel) The Metropolitan Opera has unveiled two new, monumental mosaics by the American artist Rashid Johnson as part of an exhibition titled “The Chorus.” The two mosaics are now on view inside the opera house and displayed on the Grand Tier and Dress Circle levels. The work will be part of the Met’s long-running visual arts initiative, Gallery Met, {…}
Every Friday, Polina Lyapustina delivers a short essay on some of the most essential topics in the industry with the intent of establishing a dialogue about the opera world and its future. After going from constantly looking for updates on the pandemic to seamless freedom of attending events, we could easily miss that October is already here. October means the summer is {…}
(Credit: Marty Sohl/ Met Opera) On Sept. 28, Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov” returned to the Met for the first time in a decade in Stephen Wadsworth’s acclaimed production. When the production first premiered back in 2010, the company had presented the 1872 version with the composer’s original orchestration and additions from the 1869 version. The production was conceived with Mussorsgky’s revisions {…}
“You gotta disturb the earth to make it grow.” Uttered by Charles Blow’s uncle Paul in Act one of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” that line means so much in the context of this work, our world, and on Sept. 27, 2021, the opening of the Met Opera’s 2021-22 season. First up, this was a historic night. Terence Blanchard {…}
On Sept. 27, the Metropolitan Opera will make history presenting “Fire Shut Up in My Bones.” It will be the first time the company presents an opera composed by a black composer – that composer is Terence Blanchard. Talking about the historical moment to the Washington Post the composer said, “It’s a bit overwhelming. Once you get into the rehearsal {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to open its 2021-22 season with the company premiere of “Fire Shut up in my Bones.” The production marks the first time the Met presents an opera written by a black composer; the work will be co-directed by James Robinson and Camille A. Brown. The opera was first performed {…}
(Credit: Met Opera) For this week’s puzzle, we’re shifting focus to interpreters of Nadir in Bizet’s “Pêcheurs de Perles.” Instructions: You are free to solve the word scramble directly on your mobile or desktop device; just click the space and type in the letters in order. Once you’ve filled in the correct word, the cursor will jump to the next {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced plans to perform Anthony Davis and Thulani Davis’ “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” during the 2023-24 season. The opera will feature the directing debut of Robert O’Hara, making him the second Black director in Met history. Audiences will see Will Liverman in the title role alongside Leah Hawkins as Louise and Malcolm’s {…}
New York’s Guggenheim has announced the fall schedule for its Works & Process series. The programs will be 60 minutes long, ticketed at full capacity, and will require everyone to be fully vaccinated. All individuals will be required to wear a face mask at all times. For children under the age of 12, for whom there is currently no available {…}
