When many people think of opera, Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” is undeniably one of the first ones to come to mind. The work, which premiered aptly on Oct. 29, 1787, is perfect for the Halloween spirit with its shapeshifting nature and its blend of numerous genres. It’s opening notes frighten, but before long the work moves from a drama about sexual {…}
Are you a bookworm interested in opera, but remain a bit scared of whether you might like it or not? As with all forms of art, its great artists are distinguished by their differing styles and approaches to the art form. As in the case with literature, there are different styles that simply might be more appealing to you based {…}
Operantics has announced that its 2019 production will be Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” This will be the company’s fifth season and the first time that it stages a production with orchestra. Luke Spicer will work as Music director and conductor for the Mozart classic. The news was announced during the company’s Gala Concert “Opera in the Gallery.” The funds {…}
Many Mexican tenors have managed successful careers in recent years. Francisco Araiza was among the most influential. Born in Mexico City on Oct. 4, 1950, Araiza was the song of a tenor and seemed well on his way to an early music education. He studied voice while studying business administration and made the switch completely under the encouragement of soprano {…}
Mill City Summer Opera has announced its new artistic director to lead the company in its 2019 production of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte.” Crystal Manich will take on the post, amplifying a career that has seen her direct all around the United States, Argentina, and Australia. “Not only does Crystal have vast experience and knowledge of the operatic repertoire, but {…}
Heartbeat Opera has announced the launch of its fifth season with the company’s annual Halloween Drag Extravaganza. This year’s show is titled “Dragus Maximus, a homersexual opera odyssey,” and will see three performances, the first taking place on Friday, October 26, at 8:00 pm. That will be followed up with showcases on Saturday, October 27 at 7:00 pm and 10:00 {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features the 2018 French {…}
Early Music ensembles have a remarkable ability to think up the most exotic names for themselves. Il giardino armonico, Il pomo d’oro, Les Arts Florissants or Marinka Brecelj’s Fiori Musicali all have a horticultural perfume about them. Others reek of “après moi le deluge” regal panoply with the King’s Consort or La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy taking {…}
On Sept. 1, 2018, the Teatro Julio Mario Santo Domingo will make history as it gives Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” its Colombian premiere. No that was not a joke. Or fake news. One of the seminal masterpieces in opera history, composed and premiered in the early 1900s, is making its way to the South American country for the first time in {…}
Publisher Evil Tender is going to kickstart a series of posters dedicated to the world of opera in its “The Opera Print Series.” The company has announced that illustrator Jonathan Burton is set to showcase the opening poster, which will center on Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” Per a press release, “To a modern eye,’The Magic Flute (‘Die Zauberflöte’ in German)’ plays out like {…}
Antonio Salieri, born on August 18, 1750, had a solid career as a composer. Yet today, he is best-known for his appearance in the film “Amadeus.” The film, directed by Miloš Forman, was not only one of the most successful films based on classical music figures (it walked away with eight Academy Awards), but also one of the most influential. Its {…}