Opera Columbus is set to launch its 44th season with the Columbus premiere of “Rappaccini’s Daughter (La hija de Rappaccini).” The opera will be performed at the Southern Theatre on Sept. 19 and 21, 2025, and will mark the second time in the company’s history that a full opera will be performed in Spanish. Composed in 1992 by Daniel Catán, {…}
Opera Columbus unveiled its 2025-26 season. “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is the opener in a production directed by Brandon Shaw McKnight and musical direction by Rolando Salazar. The opera will star Cecilia Violetta López, Monica Danilov, Dane Suarez, Carlos Ahrens, Richard Ollarsaba, Skye Marie Johnson, Cynthia López Olaya, and Anabella Petronsi. Performance Date: Sept. 19 & 21, 2025 Then comes a production with {…}
Opera Columbus has unveiled its 2024-25 season. First up is “The Threepenny Opera.” The work stars Benjamin Dutcher, Tesia Kwarteng, Fitzgerald St. Louis, Robert Kerr, Michelle Trainor, Erica Gabriel, and Hannah Bullock. Austin Regan directs and Dr. Everett McCorvey conducts. Performance Dates: Nov. 22 & 24, 2024 Next up is “West Side Story” with Rossen Milanov conducting and Allegra Libonati {…}
Entrepreneur extraordinaire Dr. Shanté Williams, is a notable businesswoman, intellectual property strategist, specialist in neuro-oncology and pharmacology, and the first woman and person of color to lead Opera Carolina in the role of General Director. Dr. Williams talked with OperaWire about her unique journey to the opera world, her leadership style, and plans for the company. OperaWire: You hold degrees {…}
Opera Columbus is set to conclude its 42nd season with a new take on Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” The company will present “A Magic Flute Experience: The Temple” which will run between April 19 and 28. The performances will be held at a secret, speakeasy location in Downtown Columbus which will be revealed to ticket holders 36 hours before their {…}
Opera Columbus has named Dr. Everett McCorvey as the inaugural Principal Guest Conductor. The appointment marks a new chapter in the opera company’s legacy, enhancing its commitment to artistic brilliance and innovation. The conductor will begin a three-year engagement with the Columbus company in February 2024. McCorvey is the founder and music director of the American Spiritual Ensemble, the director {…}
Opera Columbus is set to present “Eugene Onegin” for the first time in the city’s history. The famed Tchaikovsky opera opens on March 1 and 2 at the Ohio Theatre and features a cast starring Lydia Grindatto as Tatyana, Morgan Smith in the title role, Dane Duarez as Lensky, and HIlary Ginther as Olga Larina. Rosetta Cucchi directs and Roseen {…}
(Photo credit: Curtis Brown Photography) For the first time in Columbus, Ohio, Opera Columbus and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra put on Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin.” Soprano Lydia Grindatto leads the cast as Tatyana, with baritone Morgan Smith in the title role. Tenor Dane Suarez sings Vladimir Lensky and mezzo-soprano Hilary Ginther takes on the role of Olga Larina. They are joined {…}
Opera Columbus will open its 2023-24 season with Bizet’s “Carmen.” The production will be performed at the Southern Theatre stage on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 alongside the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The new production will be directed by 2022-2023 Crane Directing Fellow Sarah Dahnke and will be conducted by Dr. Everett McCorvey. In a statement, Dahnke said, “The way ‘Carmen’s’ {…}
Opera Columbus announced the promotion of two staff members into new arts administration roles and welcomed a new member to the team. Rachel Will (she/her), who served as Creative Programs Director and the Cooper-Bing Competition Associate Producer, will move into the role of Director of Advancement. She will manage and optimize Opera Columbus’ organizational development processes and will continue in {…}
Opera Columbus has announced its 2023-24 season featuring four productions. The season opens with Bizet’s “Carmen” starring Tesia Kwarteng in the title role. The 90-minute production explores sexual freedom, social hierarchies, and the class system and will also see the return of Adam Diegel as Don Jose. “Carmen” will be stage directed by 2022-23 CRANE Directing Fellow, Sarah Dahnke, and {…}
