Christian Gerhaher, Anja Kampe, Magdalena Kožená Headline 2020 Aix-en-Provence Festival

(Credit: Sasha Vasiljev / Mathias Bothor, Deutsche Grammophon) The Festival Aix-en-Provence has just announced the program for 2020 season, which will include a total of six works. The season will open with Berg’s opera “Wozzeck,” starring Christian Gerhaher, Anja Kampe, Daniel Brenna, Peter Hoare, Brindley Sherratt, Evan LeRoy Johnson, J’Nai Bridges, Alexander Kiechle, Tomasz Kumięga, and Graham Clark. Sir Simon {…}

Jan 2, 2020

Saioa Hernández, Gregory Kunde & Joyce El-Khoury Headline Seattle Opera’s 2020-21 Season

The Seattle Opera has announces its 2020-21 season featuring an all-star lineup and some ambitious productions. Here is a look: The season opens with the double bill of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” with Gregory Kunde headlining both productions in a rare U.S. appearance. He will share the run with Arsen Soghomonyan. Melody Moore and Marcy Stonikas will share the role {…}

Aug 27, 2019

The Knights To Perform ‘Candide’ At Ravinia

The Knights are set to return to Ravinia Festival for a performance of Bernstein’s “Candide.” The showcase will be led by conductor Eric Jacobsen with Alison Moritz directing. The production will star Met Opera Auditions-winning tenor Miles Mykkanen in the title role, Sharleen Joynt as Cunégonde, Margaret Gawrysiak as the Old Lady, Evan Jones as Pangloss/Voltaire/Cacambo, Evan Bravos as Maximilian/Grand Inquisitor/Sea Captain, and Alex Mansoori {…}

Apr 8, 2019

Gabriella Reyes, Will Liverman Among Richard Tucker Foundation Award Grant Winners

Lisette Oropesa was announced as the big winner of the Richard Tucker Award on Monday, but there were also a number of other major artists who scored big victories through the other accolades given by the Richard Tucker Foundation. The organization announced that the 2019 Richard Tucker Career Grants would go to sopranos Gabriella Reyes and Laura Wilde, as well {…}

Apr 3, 2019

Metropolitan Opera 2018-19 Review: National Council Auditions Grand Final

On March 31, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions were brought to a thrilling conclusion with their grand finals concert. Hosted by countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, nine young finalists took to the Metropolitan’s stage for the first time to share their artistic gifts with the audience. Opening the afternoon’s concert was soprano Meghan Kasanders, singing “Dich, teure Halle’ from {…}

Mar 24, 2019

Met Opera National Council Auditions 2019 Finalists Announces

The finalists for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions have been revealed. The nine finalists are set to compete in the Grand Finals on the Met stage on March 31, 2019. The finalists include three tenors (Piotr Buszewski, Dashaui Chen, and Miles Mykkanen), three sopranos (Alaysha Fox, Meghan Kasanders, and Elena Villalón), one mezzo-soprano (Michaela Wolz), one baritone (Thomas Glass), {…}

Feb 24, 2018

Nicole Cabell, Alek Shrader & Miles Mykkanen Lead Minnesota Opera 2018-19 Season

The Minnesota Opera has announced its 2018-19 season featuring five productions including one world premiere and two modern masterpieces. The season opens with Puccini’s rarely performed “La Rondine,” which tells the tale of Magda a lively courtesan in Paris. Celine Byrne makes her debut in the title role with Leonardo Capalbo as Ruggero. Octavio Cardenas directs the new production which is {…}

Aug 21, 2017

Bard Summerscape 2017 Review – Halka: Amanda Majeski Triumphs In This Rarely Heard Polish Opera

“Halka” is considered one of the first great Polish operas in the canon. While it is rarely performed outside of Poland, Stanisław Moniuszko’s work has had a couple of outings in the United States. This season, the Bard Music Festival presented it in collaboration with the Polish National Opera in a semi-staged version that while not completely satisfying in its {…}