Festival season is in full swing and this weekend’s major offerings come from some of the most exciting summer festivals in North America. Here are our top five offerings (in alphabetical order by company). Madama Butterfly – Central City Opera The famed Puccini masterpiece opens on Saturday with Raquel González, Annie Rosen, Cody Austin, Troy Cook, and Joseph Gaines. Adam {…}
(Photo: Arielle Doneson) Soprano Jennifer Zetlan is a singer known for her enthusiasm for contemporary opera. She has been featured in at least nine premieres of American operas, and created roles in two world premieres, the Messenger in Matthew Aucoin’s “Crossing,” and Fanny in Ricky Ian Gordon’s “Morning Star.” Alongside Zetlan’s passion for new opera, her vocal agility enables her {…}
Lawrence Edelson, Artistic and General Director of Opera Saratoga, has announced the appointment of Amanda Robie to the company’s leadership staff as Managing Director. In a press release, Edelson noted that Robie has extensive experience in the opera field, having worked with such companies as the Boston Lyric Opera as the Production Operations Manager. She was also an Apprentice Artist {…}
Opera Saratoga’s has announced its 2019 season featuring three operas that will be featured at the center of the company’s 2019 Summer Festival. The season, which will run from June 29 through July 14, 2019, is set to present two classics from the standard repertoire and one world premiere. Program The season will open with Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment” in a {…}
While the summer is in full swing, there aren’t all that many companies in production at the present moment. That said, there are still a plethora of solid offerings. Here’s a look at our top picks, in alphabetical order by company. Rocking Horse Winner / Vinkensport or The Finch Opera – Opera Saratoga This unique double bill features music by {…}
Opera Saratoga has added two new employees to its senior staff. The company announced that Jonathan Blalock, an author, tenor, performing-arts media consultant and former COO of Roven Records, will serve as development and patron services manager while Charla Jeanne Lawson, former managing director of Townsend Opera in Modesto, Calif., will start as company manager. Both positions will be effective {…}
Opera Saratoga’s 2018 Summer Festival has announced its season. The program will feature new productions of four operas along with free events and concerts from May 26 through July 15 at venues throughout the region. The first production of the festival will be “The Merry Widow” with soprano Cecilia Violetta López in the title role, alongside the company debut of baritone {…}
The summer festival season continues with a few companies putting on new and exciting productions. Portland Opera showcases its new production of “Così fan tutte” on Friday, while Wolf Trap Opera unveils its own “Tosca.” Pittsburgh Opera Festival debuts its own “Xerxes” production that same night. Charlottesville Opera continues its production of “Rigoletto,” as does Central City Opera with “Carmen,” {…}
The summer continues its torrid pace with a number of major companies showcasing production premieres. The Glimmerglass Festival kicks off its 2017 season on Friday with “Porgy and Bess,” which stars Musa Ngqungwana. The same goes for the Pittsburgh Festival Opera, which debuts that same night with “Sweeney Todd,” which also plays on Sunday. Meanwhile, Des Moines Metro Opera showcases {…}
On March 16, 2017, President Donald Trump formally released his outline for the 2018 Federal Budget, officially making clear his intent to defund numerous agencies and projects while investing billions into the already well-funded military complex. Among the agencies getting the boot was the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which provides tremendous support for numerous arts organizations. As noted {…}
