J’Nai Bridges, Ailyn Pérez, Russell Thomas & Luca Pisaroni Lead Houston Grand Opera’s 2023-24 Season

The Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2023-24 season, which will feature a world premiere. Jamie Barton, Janai Brugger, J‘Nai Bridges, Caitlin Lynch, Nicholas Newton, Michael Mayes, and Joshua Blue star in Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s “Intelligence.” Kwamé Ryan conducts the production by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Performance Dates: Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2024 Reginald Smith, Jr. sings the title role of Vedi’s “Falstaff” with Nicole Heaston, Blake {…}

Mar 14, 2023

Lise Davidsen, Lisette Oropesa & Tomasz Konieczny Lead Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2023-24 Season

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is set to open its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the season. Tomasz Konieczny leads Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer” alongside Tamara Wilson, Robert Watson, and Mika Kares. Enrique Mazzola conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 23, 2023 – Oct. 7, 2023 Audra MacDonald will perform in one evening. Performance Date: Oct. 6, 2023 Donizetti’s “La {…}

Mar 8, 2023

Ailyn Pérez, Natalya Romaniw, Sonya Yoncheva, Michael Spyres & Lucas Meachem Lead Staatsoper Hamburg’s 2023-24 Season

The Staatsoper Hamburg has announced its 2023-24 season. Opera Kent Nagano conducts Frank Castorf’s production of Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov.” The opera will star Alexander Tsymbalyuk, Kady Evanyshyn, Olivia Boen, Renate Spingler, Matthias Klink, Alexey Bogdanchikov, Vitalij Kowaljow, Oleksiy Palchykov, and Ryan Speedo Green. Performance Dates: Sept. 16-Oct. 7, 2023 Catherine Foster and Ewa Płonka sing the title role of Puccini’s {…}

Feb 22, 2023

Ying Fang, Russell Thomas & Heidi Melton Lead St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-24 Season

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2023-24 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances of the season. James Gaffigan conducts Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” with Heidi Melton, Meredith Arwady, Antonio Poli, and Brian Mulligan. Performance Dates: Nov. 11 & 12, 2023 Kevin McBeth conducts IN UNISON Chorus in a concert Gospel Christmas. Performance Dates: Dec. 8, 2023 Stéphane {…}

Feb 19, 2023

Renée Fleming, Isabel Leonard, Ana María Martínez & Rusell Thomas Lead LA Opera’s 2023-24 Season

LA Opera has announced its 2023-24 season. Lucas Meachem, Guanqun Yu, Isabel Leonard, Anthony León, Craig Colclough, Meigui Zhang, Alan Williams, and Peixin Chen star in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” James Conlon conducts Kasper Holten. Performance Dates: Sept. 23–Oct. 15, 2023 Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will star Emmett O’Hanlon, Isabel Leonard, Edgardo Rocha, Paolo Bordogna, and Luca Pisaroni. Louis Lohraseb conducts {…}

Jan 30, 2023

Russell Thomas to Give Recital at LA Opera

(Credit: Fay Fox) Tenor Russell Thomas will perform a recital on Feb. 25, 2023 at the Los Angeles Opera’s Zipper Concert Hall. Thomas, who is also the company’s Artist-in-Residence, will present a program of new music created by three Black composers. The works include “Love and Light” by Jasmine Barnes, based on text by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton; Damien Geter’s “Annunciation” {…}

Dec 31, 2022

Opéra National de Paris 2022-23 Review: La Forza del Destino

In very direct terms: Paris’s “La Forza del Destino” is the best production of the opera company this season so far. The success is living proof of the golden rule of opera: great music with great musicians make opera (always) great. It seems to be an easy rule, but it is often forgotten. “La Forza” is an Opera with capital {…}

Dec 3, 2022

Rafael Dávila to Sing Final Performance of ‘Don Carlo’ at Metropolitan Opera

(Credit: Ken Howard) Russell Thomas has canceled the final performance of “Don Carlo” at the Metropolitan Opera on Dec. 3. As the result, the company has announced that Rafael Dávila will sing the title role. This is the third time that Dávila takes the stage in this production. He also replaced Thomas on Nov. 7, 2022 and Nov. 30, 2022. {…}

Nov 30, 2022

Metropolitan Opera Announces Major Cast Change for ‘Don Carlo’

(Credit: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) Rafael Dávila is set to take the stage for Verdi’s “Don Carlo” at the Metropolitan Opera for the performance on Nov. 30, 2022. The company made the announcement via social media. He will take over for tenor Russell Thomas. This is the second time that Dávila takes the stage in this production. He also replaced Thomas {…}

Nov 21, 2022

Review: Richard Tucker Gala 2022

Photos: Dario Acosta The Richard Tucker Award and Gala came back in full force after two years with no awards. A galaxy of operatic stars was on hand for the event held in the newly renovated David Geffen Hall, which was designed to remedy the venue’s seemingly intractable issue with—of all things—acoustics. (Geffen Hall is the home of the New {…}

Nov 5, 2022

Metropolitan Opera 2022-23 Review: Don Carlo

(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) ***This review was written in collaboration with David Salazar*** But before we get to the opera, let’s kick things off by addressing the elephant in the room. Last season, the Met Opera opened this very opera with a potent political act – the performance of the Ukrainian national anthem. In a time of war {…}