Superstar soprano Renée Fleming will be taking the stage alongside Golden Globe and BAFTA Award-winning actor Ben Whishaw for “Norma Jeane Baker of Troy” at The Shed. The world premiere of the dramatic work by Anne Carson is slated to run between April 6-May 19, 2019. Director Katie Mitchell, who has directed a number of operas including “Don Giovanni, “Katya {…}
Opera is quivering, twisting, and turning. Could it be that we are in an opera renaissance? There is a new blood pulsing through its veins. Opera and theater makers are pulling at its heart, resuscitating our interest and taking us to diverse locations with as yet unclassifiable languages and forms. The Xen of Opera looks at the protagonists and projects {…}
The North Carolina Symphony has announced its 2019-20 season with a number of crossover concerts, classical repertoire, and operatic selections. For this article, we have only chosen the opera or vocal performances. In time for the holiday season, the North Carolina Master Chorale joins NCS for Handel’s Messiah. Ellie Dehn, Andrew Owens, and Federico de Michelis are the soloists in the evening, which {…}
Renée Fleming is arguably one of the most famous singers on the planet. The soprano, born on Valentine’s Day has transcended the opera world, making herself a career on movie soundtracks, and most recently, on the Broadway stage. In celebrating Fleming, here is a trivia quiz sure to tickle even the greatest fans of her soprano or shed some new {…}
Renée Fleming, born on February 14, 1959, would become one of, if not the most, prominent American soprano in recent history. The Pennsylvania native grew up in New York and kicked off her studies at SUNY Potsdam. She would receive her Master’s Degree at the Eastman School of Music and subsequently earned a Fulbright scholarship to study with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf {…}
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring a number of important soloists and important works. For this season announcement, we will only focus on vocal showcases or programs related to opera in any way. Here is a look. Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal in Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 as well as Joyce DiDonato in {…}
The NY Philharmonic has announced its 2019-20 season! Music Director Jaap van Zweden will lead the orchestra through the 2019-20 season, showcasing the works of contemporary and classic composers. In addition to resonating with its audience at home, the NY Phil will go on tour and connect with audiences in Europe and Asia. Series highlights will include: Project 19, a celebration {…}
Carnegie Hall has announced its 2019-20 season! The 2019-20 season will honor the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with over 35 performances celebrating the composer’s work and impact and will be dedicated to violinist, educator, and activist Isaac Stern, 2020 marking the centenary of his birth. We will focus primarily on vocal performances in this season announcement. Orchestras The first {…}
The LA Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring six new productions, two company premieres, and one world pmiere. Here is a look at what to expect. Main Stage Barrie Kosky directs the first production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” in 25 years. Marina Costa-Jackson makes her LA Opera debut in the title role with Saimir Pirgu as Rodolfo. Erica Petroelli, {…}
Soprano Renée Fleming is set to join the French Cultural Center on Saturday, March 12, 2019 at the Somerset Club as part of a fundraiser. The intent of the dinner is to develop support for the Cultural Center’s Mosaïque Cultural Fund, which raises money for all kinds of activities that range from exhibits, concerts, film screenings, author talks, and children’s {…}
Legendary soprano Renée Fleming is set to present SongStudio at Carnegie Hall between Jan. 21-26, 2019. The program is aimed at exploring the future of the voice recital and will see Fleming mentoring 10 young singers and 10 collaborative pianists. “I fell in love with song literature through Marilyn Horne. I’m grateful that she devoted her artistry and agency to {…}