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 {…}
On Sept. 30, the Opera Philadelphia Chorus will perform a free concert at Dilworth Park along the western side of City Hall. “Dinner at Dilworth” is an initiative of Center City District (CCD), with live music amid the park’s fountains and lush landscaping, with outdoor tables and cocktails-to-go for those who purchase takeout from nearby restaurants. The free evening of {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced plans for a revised 2020-21 season. The company will launch the Opera Philadelphia Channel, a digital space that will feature a series of new commissions as well as other performances online. Audiences can subscribe annually for the channel at $99 a year. Among the offerings on the channel will be “Lawrence Brownlee & Friends in Philadelphia,” {…}
OPERA America has announced the nine companies that will be awarded $100,000 in grants for commissioning operas by female composers. The recipients include Beth Morrison Projects for Du Yun’s “In Our Daughter’s Eyes,” which is written by Michael Joseph McQuilken; Boston Lyric Opera for Ellen Reid and librettist Christopher Oscar Peña’s “The Desert Inn;” Guerilla Opera for “HER: alive / {…}
Philadelphia’s Mayor Jim Kenney announced on Tuesday that all public events and gatherings in the city will be prohibited until Feb. 28, 2021. The order applies to all public events that include more than 50 people in a public space. Among those events that are canceled are concerts, parades, festivals, fairs, and flea markets. The mayor did note that this {…}
(Credit: Opera Philadelphia / Nicholas Korkos) Opera Philadelphia has announced the broadcast premiere of the award-winning work, “Breaking the Waves,” on May 29, 2020, as part of the company’s Digital Festival O. The opera, which made its world premiere in 2016, adapts Lars von Trier’s 1996 film of the same name. Missy Mazzoli composed the work with a libretto by {…}