Fleur Barron, Axelle Fanyo, Nicholas Phan, Christopher Purves Headline San Francisco Symphony’s Presentation of ‘Adriana Mater’

The San Francisco Symphony has released the full casting details for its upcoming production of Kaija Saariaho’s “Adriana Mater.” Conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen and directed by Peter Sellars, the work, which will be presented on June 8-11, 2023, will star mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron as Adriana, soprano Axelle Fanyo as Refka, tenor Nicholas Phan as Yonas, and baritone Christopher Purves as {…}

Apr 21, 2023

Erin Morley, Kate Lindsey, Nicholas Phan & Jonathon Adams to Perform at Lincoln Center’s ‘Summer for the City’

“Summer in the City” at Lincoln Center features free events with thousands of artists celebrating New York City. The program is full of dance, international pop, stage plays, and more. For this article, only classical vocal performances are listed. Things kick off in June with “Nehanda,” an opera conceived and created by Nora Chipaumire. Billed as a juridical opera, Chipaumire’s sonic {…}

Mar 22, 2023

J’Nai Bridges, Hera Hyesang Park, Meigui Zhang, Nicholas Phan, Karen Slack Headline New York Philharmonic’s 2023-24 Season

The New York Philharmonic has announced its 2023-24 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances. Jeanette Sorrell conducts Händel’s “Israel in Egypt” with Amanda Forsythe, Sonya Headlam, Cody Bowers, Jacob Perry, Edward Vogel, and Apollo’s Singers. Performance Dates: Oct. 25 & 26, 2023 J’Nai Bridges headlines a program featuring music by Holst, {…}

Mar 1, 2023

Christine Goerke, Nicholas Phan & Melody Moore Lead Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-24 Season

The Baltimore Symphony announces the 2023-24 season featuring Jonathan Heyward in his first season as Music Director. David Danzmayr conducts Christine Goerke in a program that includes Anna Clyne, Barber, and Sibelius. Performance Dates: Oct. 21 & 22, 2023 A baroque Christmas will include Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” Händel’s “Messiah,” and more with Baroque masters at their most irrepressibly joyful and {…}

Dec 17, 2022

Presidio Theatre Unveils 2023 Spring Season

San Francisco’s Presidio Theatre has announced its 2023 spring season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal and operatic performances. The Lamplighters will present “By Georges! A Day in the Life of the Legendary Chevalier de St. Georges.” The showcase is the company’s first production from its operetta commission project. Performance Date: May 6, {…}

Nov 21, 2022

Seattle Symphony Announces Holiday Slate of Performances

The Seattle Symphony has announced its lineup of holiday concerts at Benaroya Hall. This year marks the first time since 2019 that the symphony will perform its full suite of programs in person. Among the events is the tradition of Handel’s “Messiah” featuring soprano Nicole Cabell, contralto Sara Couden, tenor Steven Soph, bass Damien Geter, and the Seattle Symphony Chorale {…}

Nov 15, 2022

Metropolitan Opera, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Renée Fleming & Joyce DiDonato Lead Classical Grammy Nominations

The Grammy Awards have announced their nominations for 2023 with the Metropolitan Opera leading the field in the classical categories. In the Best Opera Recording category Matthew Aucoin’s “Eurydice” was nominated alongside Terrence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut up in my Bones” and Anthony Davis’ “X – The Life And Times Of Malcolm X” “Eurydice” features Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Barry Banks, Nathan Berg, {…}

Oct 3, 2022

Q & A: Composer Lembit Beecher Talks About His New Song Cycle ‘A Year to the Day’

Photo: Jamie Jung American composer Lembit Beecher has collaborated with librettist/lyricist Mark Campbell to write “A Year to the Day,” a new song cycle rooted in, but not about, the pandemic. The concept was Campbell’s, and it was he who approached the composer. Together, they wrote six songs, along with five instrumental interludes for tenor Nicholas Phan, violinist Augustin Hadelich, {…}

Sep 20, 2022

Nicholas Phan Headlines World Premiere of Beecher & Campbell’s ‘A Year to the Day’

The Violin Channel is set to present “A Year to the Day” on Oct. 7, 2022 at 7 p.m. The dramatic song cycle by composer Lembit Beecher with lyrics by librettist Mark Campbell, which explores the life of an artist during the pandemic, will feature performances by tenor Nicholas Phan, violinist Augustin Hadelich, pianist Orion Weiss, and cellist Karen Ouzounian. {…}

Jul 12, 2022

Opera Stars Speak Out on Blackface in Arena di Verona’s ‘Aida’

(Disclosure: Out of respect for the sensitivity of our audience we will only link to images of blackface instead of showing them here) Following a performance of “Aida” at the Arena di Verona on July 8, several opera singers are calling out Anna Netrebko for the use of blackface. Jamie Barton took to Twitter and said, “It’s been a long {…}

Jul 1, 2022

Nicholas Phan, Leonardo Capalbo & Michele Angelini Lead New CD/DVD Releases

To begin July, audiences will get a chance to listen to new albums from numerous tenors and will get see DVD recordings of a rare opera and a legendary recording from Salzburg. Here is a look. Stranger: Works for Tenor by Nico Muhly Nicholas Phan releases his eighth Avie Records album for both physical and digital release. The new recording {…}