Nathan Stark has joined the management team of Encompass Arts. The bss-baritone took to social media to announce the news and said, “I’m happy to share some exciting news: I’ve officially joined the management team at Encompass Arts Management, representing exceptional artists in opera and musical theater. After more than 20 + years as a professional opera singer, I’m excited {…}
(Photo credit: Eric Woolsey) “The Barber of Seville” can be tough to sit through. Opera Theatre Saint Louis (OTSL) swam upstream furiously against the libretto’s banalities to produce an entertaining show, with standout performances from Justin Austin in the title role, and Hongni Wu as Rosina. In youth, I received as a gift the London/Decca recording featuring Leo Nucci as {…}
(Written by: James Bash) OrpheusPDX, a new company founded by Christopher Mattaliano in Portland, Oregon, concluded its second season with a brilliant and thought-provoking production of Nico Muhly’s “Dark Sisters,” at Lincoln Hall on August 24. “Dark Sisters” explores and exposes relationships in a polygamous sect and reveals the courage of one sister-wife to leave it. With Stephen Karam’s libretto {…}
Tulsa Opera has announced its 75th anniversary season. The company will kick things off with the company premiere of Rossini’s “The Italian Girl.” The opera will star Allegra De Vita, Aaron Crouch, Robert Mellon, Ashraf Sweailam, Abigail Raiford, and V. Savoy McIlwain. Leslie Dunner conducts the production by Kimille Howard. Performance Dates: Oct. 28 & 30, 2022 Next up is {…}
(Credit: Joey Miller/Scott Draper) Opera San José is set to return to live performances with Purcell’s masterpiece, “Dido and Aeneas.” The opera will be performed at the historic California Theatre with Joseph Marcheso conducting and Elkhanah Pulitzer directing the new production. Michael Pappalardo will choreograph, while mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz will sing Dido and baritone Efraín Solís will take on the {…}
Opera Theatre Saint Louis has announced its 2022 season featuring four works. Daniela Candillari will conduct a new production of Bizet’s “Carmen“ directed by Rodula Gaitanou. The production will star Sarah Mesko in the title role, Adam Smith as Don Jose, Christian Pursell as Escamillo, and Yunuet Laguna as Micaela. Performance Dates: May 21 – June 25, 2022 Rory MacDonald conducts Mozart’s “The {…}
Tulsa Opera has announced its 2021-22 season which includes two Oklahoma premieres and three new productions. First up, the company will present “Gianni Schicchi” and Verdi’s “Greatest Hits” at ONEOK Field. The production will star Rachel Blaustein, Emily Pulley, Julius Ahn, and Danielle Pastin. Conductor Oriol Sans will conduct while James Robinson will direct. Performance Date: Oct. 15, 2021 Next {…}
Opera San José has announced its 2021-22 season, which includes four opera productions between September 2021 and May 2022. “We have spent the past year keeping faith with our artists and our audiences, finding ways to continue to create and share vibrant work, and welcoming a wider audience to engage with us than ever before,” Khori Dastoor, the company’s General {…}
West Edge Opera is set to present an outdoor production “Eliogabalo” this summer at the Bruns Theater in Berkeley, California. The performances are set for July 31, August 6, and 8 and will star Randall Scotting in the title role. “I will be performing the part of the bad boy, the youthful and sex-obsessed Roman emperor, Heliogabalus. He is opera’s {…}
Looking for a unique Valentine’s Day gift? Opera San José will send your special someone a personalized Virtual Valentine’s Day Telegram sung by one of the company’s acclaimed Resident Artists. The Telegram includes a customized greeting. Opera San José is offering a selection of five songs for the music fan in your life: “Til There Was You,” performed by soprano {…}
While theaters are opening, more and more American opera companies are committing to the online presentation. So there is no doubt that there will be plenty of streaming options for the foreseeable future. And we will be here to spotlight 10 operas every week. But as we have done over the past few weeks, do not forget to check out {…}