A little over a month ago, the news struck that the Metropolitan Opera would be bringing in a plethora of new works, branching out its operations to new venues, and would be bringing in women composers to expand its creative output. Among those composers is Missy Mazzoli, whose profile as a leading composer has rocketed in the last few years. {…}
A week after announcing a future overhaul to its season, the Metropolitan Opera has made more announcements revealing the company’s continued change in direction. The latest news? The company is set to commission new operas that it will look to feature in spaces outside of Lincoln Center. Per the New York Times, for the first time in its history, the {…}
Is there a better way to spend an opera festival in Nebraska than to see an opera set in Nebraska? My weekend at the inaugural ONE Festival presented by Opera Omaha was highlighted by seeing the brand-new “Proving Up” by the dynamic duo of Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek on two occasions. The opera is based on the short {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced the sixth season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative, a comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. This year’s festival will include the world premiere of a new hour-long work by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, “Proving Up,” {…}
Opera America has awarded $100,000 to six opera companies for their support for female composers. The six companies include the Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Parallèle, Sarasota Opera, Seattle Opera and Washington National Opera. The Houston Grand has commission Nkeiru Okoye’s “Home of My Ancestors” while Minnesota Opera’s grant is for Paola Prestini’s “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.” {…}
Missy Mazzoli’s opera “Breaking the Waves” has been a hit over the last year and now it has been recognized by the Music Critics Association of North America with the Best New Opera Award. This is actually the first time the organization awards this very accolade. Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek will both be honored on July 19 at the {…}
The Miller Theatre at Columbia University will be premiering a major opera in 2018. The opera in question is “Proving Up,” which will get its New York Premiere at the Miller Theatre. The work, with a libretto by Royce Vavrek and music by Missy Mazzoli, will appear in September 2018 using Opera Omaha’s production. “Proving Up” will be featured as {…}
A few weeks ago, Metropolitan Opera Music Director Designate Yannick Nézet-Séguin made the proclamation that he would be bringing newer and fresher composers to the Metropolitan Opera throughout his tenure. A few days later it was reported that among the new composers he would be bringing would be Jake Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking.” It’s a great start, considering Heggie, who {…}
