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 {…}
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 {…}
“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 {…}
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. {…}
On Jan. 22, Opera Philadelphia will present David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs” on its Opera Philadelphia Channel. The work was filmed on location at the Brandywine Conservancy in Chester County, Pennsylvania, by the site of the American Revolution’s Battle of Brandywine in 1777. The film stars Johnathan McCullough, who also serves as director and co-screenwriter along with producer James Darrah. Opera {…}
Opera Philadelphia has launched the first trailer for its film version of David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs.” The opera film, which is set to premiere on Jan. 22, 2021, will star baritone Johnathan McCullough, who is also making his directorial debut with the project. The project was originally set to be performed as a stage production that would travel and {…}
Opera Philadelphia is set to present Tyshawn Sorey’s “Save the Boys” on Feb. 12, 2021. The showcase will feature countertenor John Holiday, who in addition to a heralded operatic career, has recently made major headlines by his star turn on NBC’s “The Voice.” “Save the Boys” was inspired by an 1887 poem of the same name by Frances Ellen Watkins {…}
(Credit: Sean Davis Courtesy) Opera Philadelphia is set to stream a production of “BON APPÉTIT!” on Jan. 8, 2021. The online fundraising event, which is presented in partnership with the Houston Grand Opera, stars mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton as Julia Child alongside pianist Jonathan Easter. The video and audio were produced by Keep the Music Going Productions with Ryan McKinny and {…}
The Opera Philadelphia Chorus is set to present “Love in the Park,” a five-episode series of performances starting on Dec. 11, 2020. The showcase, which was filmed on Sept. 30, 2020 at a socially-distanced concert in Dilworth Park. will focus on 16 members of the ensemble under the musical direction of Chorus Master Elizabeth Braden and pianist Grant Loehnig as {…}
Opera Philadelphia is set to stream the 2015 production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” starring Lisette Oropesa. The production marked the role debut of Oropesa as Violetta in a new production by Paul Curran. Since then Oropesa has gone on to perform the role to great acclaim at the Metropolitan Opera and Arena di Verona. Opera Philadelphia’s production will premiere on {…}
Opera Philadelphia Channel has commissioned four of today’s most dynamic composers to create and premiere new works to be streamed on the channel. The company announced the news ahead of its digital platform launch. The first premiere, slated for January 2021, will be composed by Opera Philadelphia Composer in Residence Tyshawn Sorey. Subsequent premieres will be composed by Courtney Bryan, Puerto Rican-born composer {…}