Opera Critic & Historian Fred Plotkin to Host Virtual Talk: ‘A Gay Romp Through Four Centuries of Opera’

(Photo credit: Frances Marshall) What’s opera about? Passion? Drama? Politics? Sex? All the above, of course, and it’s been that way since 1597, even in the face of censorship. Yet, the prohibitions around taboo topics such as politics and sex caused composers and librettists to get creative when including such material in their operas. Opera critic, author, and historian par {…}

‘You Get What You Put Out Into the Universe:’ Baritone Lucas Meachem On His Highs and Lows, Diversity in Opera, & COVID’s Impact on Young Artists

In late May, the COVID-19 pandemic relented for a spell, enticing parts of the United States to reopen after weeks of lockdown. Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer in the States, was in full swing. 2020 had a disastrous start, but big cities like New York had the virus somewhat contained. Worldwide, the insidious threat of sickness and {…}

Plácido Domingo Headlines Musco Center For The Arts’ 2019-20 Season

Chapman University’s Musco Center for the Arts has announced its 2019-20 season. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on opera and other vocal performances. The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra and Chapman University Big Band, directed by Scotty Barnhart, will “serve up that signature, feel-good Basie sound: foot-stomping swing, soaring dynamic contrasts and very, very danceable rhythms.” Carmen {…}