The Academy of Vocal Arts has announced date changes for its upcoming productions. The company noted that due to the continued spread of COVID-19, it was forced to postpone its production of “Eugene Onegin” and outright cancel its intended version of “Mignon” altogether. The Tchaikovsky masterpiece was originally set to open on Jan. 22 and run through Jan. 29. Instead, {…}
Following a successful, inaugural season held online, the Academy of Vocal Arts has announced its 2021-22 season of live performances. Based in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, AVA draws more than 200 singers globally each year for their program, of which less than 30 are chosen to become Resident Artists. “We are delighted to present this exciting season, which features something for {…}
(Credit: Athole Still Artists official website) Conductor Andrew Greenwood has died. Greenwood was born in Yorkshire. He graduated from Clare College, Cambridge. He went on to join the music staff at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden from 1977 until 1984. He then became a Chorus Master at the Welsh Opera until 1990. He served as Artistic Director of the {…}
(Image source: YouTube) Dutch mezzo-soprano Cora Canne Meijer passed away on August 25, 2020, at the age of 91. Cora Canne Meijer graduated from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. The mezzo-soprano debuted in 1950 with the Nederlandse Opera (now De Nationale Opera) in the role of Annina in Verdi’s “La Traviata.” During her first year at the Nederlandse Opera, Meijer sang {…}
(Photo Credit: Rupert Larl) Strange as it may now seem, but “Mignon” by the French composer, Thomas, was one of the most popular operas of its day. Premiered at Paris’ Opera-Comique in November 1866, it received its 100th performance by July the following year, and its 1,000th by 1894. Its reception in Germany, however, was less successful, maybe unsurprisingly so, {…}
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, born on August 28, 1749, is one of the great German writers in history. Unsurprisingly, his literary prowess has inspired a wide range of operatic works, many of which are staples of the canon. Here is a survey of operas based on the works of Goethe. Faust Goethe’s masterwork is undeniably the source of many operas. {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2017-18 season and with it there are two Met premieres and two notable revivals. “Luisa Miller” will have its first run in over a decade. Rossini’s “Semiramide” will also be performed for the first time since 1993 while Msssenet’s “Cendrillon” bows at the house for the first time ever. With some of these operas {…}