(Credit: Edward Wilensky) On October 19, 2019, San Diego Opera presented Verdi’s “Aida” in a unique showcase that featured the orchestra and chorus on stage with the soloists, who were dressed up in traditional garb to reflect Ancient Egypt. This was a different way of presenting opera and at the “Talk Back” immediately following the show it became obvious that {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of San Diego Opera) Verdi’s “Aida” is set to open the San Diego Opera’s 2019-20 season. The production will star Michelle Bradley, who will be making her San Diego Opera debut in the title role, Carl Tanner as Radames, and Olesha Petrova, also in her company debut as Amnesia. The cast will be rounded out by Nelson Martinez as {…}
(Credit: Photo provided by the San Diego Opera) The San Diego Opera will present a special one-night-only event on Dec. 11, 2019, featuring soprano Ailyn Pérez and tenor Joshua Guerrero perform in concert at the Balboa Theatre. The e The two soloists will be accompanied by pianist Abdiel Vázquez in a recital opera arias, duets, zarzuela, and popular showtunes. The {…}
(Credit: Marco Borggreve) San Diego Opera has announced that Yves Abel will be the company’s new Principal Conductor starting in 2020-21. The contract is set for three years with the maestro set to conduct a double bill opera in his first year, a French work in 2021-22, and another opera in 2022-23. “It is a great joy and honor for {…}
San Diego Opera has been awarded three California Arts Council Grants, totaling $50,400. The first grant of $18,000 will support the Words and Music program, the second grant of $16,200 will support WAM at the La Maestra Center for Youth Advancement, and the third grant of $16,200 will support the Student Night at the Opera program. The Words and Music {…}
On May 15, 2019, at the 1300-seat Balboa Theatre, San Diego Opera presented tenor Stephen Costello and baritone Stephen Powell in an evening of arias and duets accompanied by the full San Diego Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bruce Stasyna. Although titles are not possible in this house, the program contained all the words sung in both the original language and {…}
The San Diego Opera is set to join forces with “The Enchanted Tail” for a free 40-minute opera for the whole family. The event is set to take place on June 1, 2019, at the Greek Amphitheatre at the Point Loma Nazarene University. The performance will feature the music of Mozart, Verdi, and Rossini to tell the story of a {…}
On March 31, 2019, San Diego Opera presented Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen” to a mostly sold out audience at the Civic Theatre. Kyle Lang was both stage director and choreographer of this thoughtful and elegant production that began with two male dancers, Laurence Gonzalez and Lester Gonzalez, as a soldier and a bullfighter dancing for supremacy during the the overture. {…}
The San Diego Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring five productions and one star-studded recital. The season opens with Verdi’s “Aida” in a theatrical Concert Opera Experience with Michelle Bradley in the title role, Olesya Petrova as Amneris, and Carl Tanner as Radamès. Joseph Colaneri conducts the production by Alan Hicks, which also stars Simon Lim and Nelson Martinez. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}
There is a lot more standard repertory this weekend on offer around the United States. So here is a look at the performances to check out (in alphabetical order by company). Così Fan Tutte – Canadian Opera Company Mozart and Da Ponte’s opera will get a performance on Feb. 9 and will feature a cast that includes Kirsten McKinnon, Emily {…}
The San Diego Opera has announced that on March 17, 2019 it will be making its first professional appearance in Palm Springs since 1981. The company will showcase “Carmen in the Desert,” a program that includes excerpts from the famed Bizet opera. This showcase will be a prelude to the company’s forthcoming production of the French masterpiece, which kicks off {…}