(Credit: Kristin Hoebermann) The Washington Concert Opera has announced a cast change for “Roberto Devereux.” The company noted that Julie Boulianne will no longer portray the role of Sara and will be replaced by Elizabeth DeShong. DeShong has performed all over the world at the Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Haymarket Opera, and the Barbican Hall. Her repertoire {…}
(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 {…}
Many times the final moments of a piece of art are the ones that leave the audience with the biggest impression. It may be the final image of a film or the final bars of a musical work. In the bel canto repertoire, the final impression is generally left by whether a singer hits a certain high note, be it {…}
(Credit: Michael Cooper) “People are craving music and all the healing, soothing, and bonding elements it provides.” American-Canadian soprano superstar Sondra Radvanovsky was in Rio de Janeiro on March 13, 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in full force. Radvanovsky was slated to perform at the Theatro Municipal, but the performance ended up being canceled. Faced with a {…}
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 {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced Week 7 of its weekly streams. This week’s slate will feature Donizetti’s Tudor Trilogy in addition to showcasing a rare modern opera and a Russian classic. But the big surprise this week will be the showcase of a legendary performance starring Leontyne Price, suggesting that the company will start to showcase some of its historic {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond/ Dallas Opera) “…[A] dramatist of considerable dramatic sophistication, capable of great irony in his musical treatment,” so says Stephen Lawless of Gaetano Donizetti. The comment appears in a director’s note in the program booklet for Los Angeles Opera’s production of Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” which opened Feb. 22 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. A Stunning Production & Leader {…}
The theme of the weekend is world premieres. There are a lot of them. That said, we did find some space for a classic opera in there. Roberto Devereux – Los Angeles Opera To kick things off we head to LA where the company will showcase the bel canto masterpiece with Angela Meade as the famed Queen Elisabeth and Ramón {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) The LA Opera has announced that Angela Meade will be performing the role of Elizabeth I in its upcoming production of “Roberto Devereux.” Meade will be replacing Davinia Rodriguez, who was originally scheduled to take on the run, but is withdrawing due to illness. Rodriguez is the third high-profile cast change for this production after the withdrawal {…}
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 {…}
(Photo: Bill Cooper) Spiders do not have the best of reputations. Known as unsociable, solitary creatures, they remain aloof, but alert to the slightest movement in their deadly webs. They patiently await their prey to fall into the trap, which they then efficiently despatch, store, and eventually consume. Female spiders are considered to be particularly cold and vicious creatures, many {…}
