Opera Philadelphia Cancels Two Digital Programs

Opera Philadelphia has announced programming changes for Season 2 of the Opera Philadelphia Channel. The company announced that the Glass-Handel program slated to premiere in October has been canceled. In May the company announced plans to stream a concert film and documentary created by American countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo in collaboration with producer Cath Brittan and avant-garde fashion/art company Visionaire. The concert film would have {…}

Jul 13, 2021

Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres to Present North American Premiere of ‘Amici e Rivali’

On August 26, 2021, Opera Philadelphia will present acclaimed tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres in “An Evening of Vocal Fireworks.” The concert will mark the North American performance premiere of their 2020 album, “Amici e Rivali,” and comes as part of the Mann’s Summer Picnic Series at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Selections include arias and duets {…}

Jun 9, 2021

Opera Philadelphia to Stream ‘The Drama of Tosca’

(Credit: Dominic M. Mercier) “The Drama of Tosca,” a special concert adaptation of Puccini’s “Tosca” will be available on Opera Philadelphia Channel starting on June 17, 2021. The recording comes from the May 2021 performances which were held for socially distanced audiences at the TD Pavilion at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. The 90-minute {…}

May 18, 2021

Lawrence Brownlee, Sir Willard White, Patricia Racette, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Raven McMillan Headline Opera Philadelphia’s 2021-22 Season

Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2021-22 season, which includes both in-person and video productions throughout the year. So let’s kick it off with the onstage performances. On Stage It all starts with “Amici e Rivali” starring Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres. This pre-season concert will showcase the two tenors alongside conductor Corrado Rovaris and the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus {…}

May 11, 2021

Arts Organizations Partner for World Premiere of Daniel Roumain’s ‘They Still Want to Kill Us’

On May 25, 2021, Opera Philadelphia, in partnership with arts organizations nationwide, will present the World Premiere of Daniel Bernard Roumain’s new short film “They Still Want to Kill Us.” The film is directed by filmmaker Yoram Savion and consists of an aria to be performed by mezzo-soprano J’nai Bridges. The project commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa {…}

Mar 5, 2021

Opera Philadelphia to Premiere ‘The Island We Made’

Opera Philadelphia has announced that it will stream “The Island We Made.” The new digital offering will combine ethereal electronic music, personal storytelling, arthouse filmmaking, and the transformative art of drag lip-sync to form an art-opera film. “The Island We Made” was created by composer Angélica Negrón, drag superstar Sasha Velour, and filmmaker Matthew Placek and is based on the {…}

Feb 24, 2021

‘Breaking the Waves,’ ‘Celebrating RBG’s 88th Birthday’ Headline Opera Philadelphia’s Spring Streaming Slate

Opera Philadelphia has announced new programming for its digital channel. First up, the company will be presenting the 2016 premiere production of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “Breaking the Waves.” The presentation is in collaboration with Los Angeles Opera. The opera starred Kiera Duffy as Bess McNeill alongside John Moore, Eve Gigliotti, David Portillo, and Zachary James, among others. Streaming {…}

Feb 22, 2021

‘For the Love of Opera’ to Celebrate Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Birthday

On Monday, March 15, Opera Philadelphia Channel will present a new operatic event showcasing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s favorite arias on what would have been her 88th birthday. The event will be presented by the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH), Opera Philadelphia, and the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at The {…}

Feb 12, 2021

Opera Philadelphia to Premiere Courtney Bryan’s ‘Blessed’

Opera Philadelphia is set to present the premiere of Courtney Bryan’s “Blessed” as part of its Digital Commissions Series starting on Feb. 28, 2021. “Blessed” received its inspiration from the Bible verse Matthew 5 “blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” through the context of recent protests against police brutality. With Bryan’s piano improvisations serving as the {…}

Feb 4, 2021

Opera Meets Film: How Johnathan McCullough Marries Opera & Film in ‘Soldier Songs’

“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a film section or a film in its entirety and highlight 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 Opera {…}

Jan 22, 2021

Q & A: Baritone Johnathan McCullough on Starring & Directing the Film Version of ‘Soldier Songs’

There’s no doubt what video productions have meant for the opera world over the last year. With COVID-19 continuing to rage, live performance is simply not an option at this moment and will struggle to become the norm once again for some time. In its stead, companies have turned to the magic of cinema and streaming options available for distribution. {…}

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