(Photo credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Soprano Karen Slack will present “To Sit and Dream,” a concert comprised of the poems of Langston Hughes on March 17 in Philadelphia. In partnership with the Wharton-Wesley Faith Ensemble and Philadelphia soprano Slack will give a program of music by Black composers centered on four choral settings of Hughes’ poetry. Composers included on the {…}
(Photo credit: Adrien Coquet) Dr. Caitlin Vincent (University of Melbourne) and Dr. Amanda Coles (Deakin University) have published their findings on the gender inequality and the impacts of non-standard work in the US opera industry. The team tracked women’s representation as conductors, directors, and designers at the 11 largest opera companies in the United States – the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced a new cast change for its production of “Simon Boccanegra” on Oct. 1, 2023. The company said, “Last night, Jennifer Rowley made her Opera Philadelphia debut, jumping into the role of Maria/Amelia last-minute and charming Friday night’s audience. You have another chance to see her at Sunday’s 2:00 p.m. matinee.” Rowley also added, “With a little {…}
(Credit: Chris Singer) Opera Philadelphia has announced a cast change for its production of “Simon Boccanegra.” The company noted that Jennifer Rowley will replace Ana María Martínez for the performance on Sept. 29, 2023. In a statement via social media Rowley added, “This doesn’t happen all that often in the USA, but when that call comes, you can be sure {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced it is cutting its budget and eliminating five positions. The company noted that due to a post-pandemic slump, it will cut its current annual budget by about 20 percent from its originally approved $13.3 million and will cut five positions or about 16 percent of staff. Additionally, it announced it would be postponing its production of {…}
Opera Philadelphia is set to present “Late Night Snacks” from the Bearded Ladies Cabaret in September. The night will be hotsed by Jarbeaux, Cookie Diorio, and Eric Jaffe at The Closet, a custom-built cabaret at 201 South St. There will also be special guests from Opera Philadelphia including Dicky Dutton and Samantha Rose Williams to legendary composer Jennifer Higdon. Performances {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced its lineup of upcoming free outdoor performances. First up, the company and the East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP) will team together to present an operatic concert at the Center City District’s “Arts on Center Stage” in Dilworth Park. Aubry Ballarò, Kathryn Leemhuis, Taylor-Alexis Dupont, John Viscardi, Jorell Williams, and Aurelien Eulert are solists Performance Date: August 24, {…}
(Photo Credit: Steven Humes) Opera Philadelphia is set to present a family night featuring a concert performance of opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” on July 13, 2023 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken. Elizabeth Braden will conduct an ensemble that stars by 12-year-old Ethan Monberg, a member and soloist of the Philadelphia Children’s Chorus and the Philadelphia Vocal Conservatory. Other {…}
Opera Philadelphia is set to release “PAPER TIGER,” a 12-minute digital opera composed by Black transdisciplinary artist Yaz Lancaster on May 19. The film features vocalists Eliza Bagg and Miss Grit and pianist Mary Prescott and is directed by Sean Pecknold. “PAPER TIGER” is the latest in a series of world premiere digital commissions released by Opera Philadelphia beginning in {…}
Opera Philadelphia is now streaming “Composing the Future,” a documentary that takes a deep dive into the organization’s Composer-in-Residence Program. The documentary brings together eight composers who participated in the program since its inception in 2011; these composers include Lembit Beecher, Courtney Bryan, David Hertzberg, David T. Little, Missy Mazzoli, Andrew Norman, Rene Orth, and Tyshawn Sorey. Over the course of 90 minutes, these composers speak about their {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced that it will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the 2024-2025 Season with two new company commissions composed by women with strong ties to the company and the city of Philadelphia. Making its U.S. Premiere at the Academy of Music is “The Listeners,” the latest opera from composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek. “The Listeners” is a {…}