‘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 {…}

Apr 21, 2020

Leontyne Price, Anna Netrebko, Plácido Domingo Headline Week 7 of Metropolitan Opera Weekly Streams

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 {…}

Mar 2, 2020

Los Angeles Opera 2019-20 Review: Roberto Devereux

(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 {…}

Feb 21, 2020

Angela Meade, Frederick Ballentine, Ramón Vargas Headline Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – North America

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 {…}

Feb 18, 2020

Angela Meade Takes Over Major Upcoming Production At LA Opera

(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 {…}

Jun 3, 2019

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 {…}

May 2, 2019

Welsh National Opera 2018 -19 Review: Roberto Devereux

(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 {…}

Nov 29, 2018

Composer Profile: Gaetano Donizetti, One of the Bel Canto Masters

Gaetano Donizetti, born on Nov. 29, 1797, was one of the leading Bel Canto composers of all time. He wrote his first opera, “Il Pigmalione” at the age of 19 and he would go on to create 75 operas throughout his lifetime. His first major successes came with his comic operas, though in 1830, he scored a massive success with {…}

Sep 10, 2018

San Francisco Opera 2018-19 Review: Roberto Devereux

“I saw the Queen of England weep!” It is true, at least in the brilliant portrayal of Elizabeth I by soprano, Sondra Radvanovsky, in the San Francisco Opera’s production of “Roberto Devereaux.” In Donizetti’s third and most popular Tudor Queen opera (“Anna Bolena” and “Maria Stuarda” being the other two), Radvanovsky sings with moving beauty as she dramatized the role {…}

Mar 3, 2018

Embracing Tradition & Moving Beyond It – Tenor Russell Thomas On ‘Don Carlo,’ ‘Otello,’ & How To Learn From Artists & Audiences Of The Present & Past

This Saturday, March 3, 2018, the Washington National Opera will be staging a four-act version of “Don Carlo” with a superstar cast. While many might turn to the likes of Leah Crocetto, Jamie Barton, or Eric Owens, for the star power, tenor Russell Thomas is poised to have a big night in his Washington National Opera debut. Thomas recently spoke {…}

Jan 17, 2018

San Francisco Opera 2018-19 Season To Feature Plácido Domingo, Matthew Polenzani, Sondra Radvanovsky, José Cura & Many More

The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which features eight operas and one important concert performance. All of the productions will be brand new for the 2018-19 season. The season opens on Sept. 7, 2017, with the famed “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” as directed by Jose Cura. The production will star Ekaterina Semenchuk, Roberto Aronica, and Dimitri Platanias {…}