(Credit: Dario Acosta) The Portland Opera will present the U.S. professional company premiere of Vivaldi and Piovene’s “Bajazet” starting on March 20, 2020 at the Newmark Theatre in Portland, Oregon. The production, which will run for five total shows through March 28, will be led by Erin Helyard of Pinchgut Opera, in his United States debut. Helyard also edited the {…}
(Credit: Cory Weaver) The Portland Opera is set to present mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman live in concert as part of its 2020 Resident Artist Series. The recital is set for Jan. 14, 2020 at the Whitsell Auditorium at the Portland Art Museum. Shermann, who is in her second year as a resident artist with the company will be accompanied by Chorus {…}
The Portland Opera Board of Directors has removed the interim tag from Sue Dixon, naming her the sixth General Director of the company. Dixon has been with the Portland Opera since 2014, working as director of development and eventually director of external affairs in 2017. She was also named interim general director in July 2019. “I know, firsthand, what it {…}
The Portland Opera has announced that Daniel Biaggi will join the company this fall in a newly established role as interim artistic director. Biaggi is the outgoing general director at Palm Beach Opera and artistic advisor to the Atkins Young Artist Program at the Mariinsky Theatre. He is also the founder of Daniel Biaggi Consulting. In his new role with the {…}
The Portland Opera will open its 2019-20 season with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The production will feature the U.S. debut of acclaimed soprano Hiromi Omura in the title role. Ombre is one of today’s great interpreters as she has performed the work at the Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House, the Latvian National Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and The New National {…}
The Portland Opera has announced that its 2019-20 Resident Artists will include soprano Emilie Faiella, mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman, tenor Ricardo Garcia, and baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg. “We are so proud to welcome the 2019/20 Portland Opera Resident Artists,” stated Sue Dixon, interim general director, in a press release. “Now in its 15th year, this program has become a key part of Portland Opera’s {…}
The Portland Opera is set to showcase a 50-minute version of Puccini’s “La Bohème” as part of its Portland Opera To Go (POGO) series. This series has traveled throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington state, bringing opera to students from these areas. Among the locations where Puccini’s classic will travel for this run are the Walters Cultural Center in Hillsboro, Oregon; {…}
One major opera staple is on this weekend’s list. But the rest are all made up of 20th and 21st century operas, including two works making their world premieres. Here are our top five operas to see this weekend (in alphabetical order by company). Chautauqua Opera Company – The Ghosts of Versailles For one night only, Chautauqua Opera will showcase {…}
There will be a shift in the Portland Opera’s executive leadership. Per a press release, General Director Christopher Mattaliano will be transitioning to the role of Artistic Consultant at the start of 2019-20 season with Sue Dixon, the current Director of External Affairs, set to become Interim General Director as of July 15, 2019. Mattaliano started working with the organization {…}
There are four operas that rarely get performances in North America, making them all the more essential viewing for the weekend. Here are our top five operas to see this weekend (in alphabetical order by company). Billy Budd – Central City Opera Britten’s masterwork kicks off on Saturday with a production conducted by John Baril and directed by Ken Cazan. {…}
The Portland Opera will present “La Finta Giardiniera” starting on July 12, 2019. The run of the Mozart opera will last six performances, ending on July 27, 2019. The work will be conducted by George Manahan with soprano Lindsay Ohse as Sandrina. Mark A. Thomsen will appear as Podesta. Other cast members include Geoffrey Schellenberg, Helen Huang, Camille Sherman, Thomas {…}