Opera San José Announces 2022-23 Resident Artists

Opera San José has announced its 2022-23 resident company. The artists include Zhengyi Bai (Tenor), Darren Drone (Baritone), Megan Esther Grey (Contralto), Rene Orth (Composer-in-Residence), Maria Natale (Soprano), and Natalia Santaliz (Soprano); Tara Branham (Director), Eugene Brancoveau (Baritone), and Nikola Printz (Mezzo-soprano), return for another season. These artists will star in the company’s four mainstage productions which will include “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Cinderella,” “Tosca,” and “Falstaff.” The artists will also star in concerts and recitals, {…}

Apr 11, 2022

Opera San José Announces Semi-Finalists for Irene Dalis Vocal Competition

Opera San José’s has announced the 12 semi-finalists who will compete in the Irene Dalis Vocal Competition. The competitors are mezzo-soprano Veena Akama-Makia (Little Rock, Arkansas); bass-baritone Ben Brady (Denver, Colorado); soprano Susanne Burgess (Atlanta, Georgia); baritone Andres Cascante (San José, Costa Rica); mezzo-soprano Chantelle Grant (Toronto, Canada); mezzo-soprano Shanley Horvitz (Voorhees, New Jersey); soprano Emily Michiko Jensen (San Diego, California); soprano Anastasia Malliaras (Los Angeles, California); baritone Samson McCrady (Tucson, Arizona); soprano Nina Mutalifu (Ürümqi, China); baritone Sejin {…}

Mar 24, 2022

Opera San José Unveils 2022-23 Season

Opera San José has announce its 2022-23 season. The season marks the first under the leadership of Shawna Lucey. “I’m happy to say that under the stewardship of my predecessor Khori Dastoor, Opera San José successfully navigated hardship throughout the pandemic, and has emerged stronger and more vibrant than ever before. I am honored to be part of this legacy {…}

Feb 18, 2022

Opera San Jose Brings Back Irene Dalis Vocal Competition

Opera San Jose has announced the return of the Irene Dalis Vocal Competition. This year’s competition will see talented singers from around the country sing with the OSJ Orchestra. The Semifinals will be held on May 18, and will be available to livestream for free, with the audience being encouraged to vote for their favorite. The finals will be held {…}

Jan 25, 2022

Opera San José to Present ‘West Side Story’

(Credit: Steven Kemp) Opera San José is set to present Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s classic “West Side Story.” The American tale of two star-crossed lovers and the prejudices that keep them apart will be conducted by Christopher James Ray, staged by director Crystal Manich, and choreographed by Michael Pappalardo. The production will be performed by soprano Teresa Castillo as {…}

Dec 8, 2021

Opera San José Names New General Director

(Credit: Ken Howard) Opera San José has announced the appointment of opera and theater director Shawna Lucey as its new General Director and CEO. Lucey will officially join Opera San José in January 2022 and will bring both a wealth of opera experience and an exciting artistic vision to the company which has captured a national reputation for its development {…}

Dec 2, 2021

Nikola Printz Headlines Opera San José’s ‘Carmen’

(Credit: Bob Shomler) Opera San José is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen” to open the new year. The production, which will be shown at the California Theatre in downtown San José, will be conducted by Joseph Marcheso. The production will be reimagined with stage direction by Lillian Groag and feature a new collaboration with the acclaimed Flamenco Society of San {…}

Oct 18, 2021

Nikola Printz, Efraín Solís, Maya Kherani, Nathan Stark Headline Opera San José’s ‘Dido and Aeneas’

Opera San José is set to return to the stage with “Dido and Aeneas.” The opera, which marks the first in-person performance that the company showcases in over one year, will take place starting on Nov. 13 at the California Theatre in downtown San José. The run will last through Nov. 28. Audiences will see mezzo-soprano in the role of {…}

Sep 28, 2021

Q & A: Sidney Outlaw on ‘Mozart and Salieri’ at Opera San José

On Sept. 30, Opera San José will premiere a production of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Mozart and Salieri.” The intimate work is considered a psychological thriller that explores the relationship between Mozart and Salieri and the clash between the two composers over the very nature of artistic genius. The work is based on Alexander Pushkin’s 1830 play which explores the rumor that Salieri {…}

Sep 13, 2021

Opera San José Unveils Resident Artists & Casting for 2021-22 Season

Opera San José has announced casting for its upcoming 2021-22 season. The organization revealed that its production of “Dido and Aeneas” will star Nikola Printz and Efraín Solís in the title roles with Maya Kherani as Belina and Nathan Stark as The Sorcerer. Meanwhile “Carmen” will star Nikola Printz in the title role with Noah Stewart as Don José and {…}

Aug 25, 2021

Opera San José Announces Casting Update for ‘Mozart & Salieri’

Opera San José has announced a casting update for its opening season stream “Mozart and Salieri.” The company announced that baritone Simon Barrad will be joining the cast as in company debut as Mozart. Barrad has performed at Wigmore Hall, the Finnish National Opera, West Edge Opera, and the Marlboro Music Festival. He is also an avid Jazz musician. The {…}