Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and pianist and vocal coach John Churchwell have been appointed Co-Directors of the Music Academy’s Lehrer Vocal Institute. The duo will be charged with the long-term planning for the organization’s curriculum, performance, and teaching roster. They have already worked on the 2023 summer festival, which will include an industry day, a new studio artist program, an all-Spanish {…}
San Francisco-based Opera Parallèle has announced its 2022-23 season. The season kicks off with “Everest: An Immersive Experience.” The Talbot and Scheer opera will be conducted by Nicole Paiement and directed by Brian Staufenbiel. Sasha Cooke, Nathan Granner, Kevin Burdette, Hadleigh Adams, Charlotte Fanvu, Matt Boehler, Shawnette Sulker, Whitney Steele, and Kevin Gino. Performance Dates: Feb. 2-12, 2023 Paul Moravec {…}
The Kaufman Music Center in New York has announced its 2022-23 season. Here is a look at the vocal performances: VOCES8 perform Choral Dances: Wm. Byrd to V. Morrison. Performance Date: Oct. 13, 2022 VOCES8 will showcase “Underneath the Stars,” which includes music by Byrd, Britten, Gibbons, Smith, Schütz, Rheinberger, and Alfvén, among others. Performance Date: Oct. 14, 2022 Briana {…}
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe Vs. Wade, the opera world reacted on social media sharing their thoughts on the verdict which will affect millions of women around the United States. Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton took to twitter and said, “We knew this was coming, and it’s still horrifically gut-wrenching. Stay mad, y’all. You have every reason to be. {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced its 2022 festival. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal events. There will be an opening night showcasing the members of the Vocal Institute. Performance Date: June 16, 2022 Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will join forces with John Churchwell at Lobero Theatre for the world premiere of {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) In the opera world, it’s a common cliché to think that Mozart, because of the simplicity of his music, is “easy to perform.” That’s often why we see opera conservatories and universities often take on his masterpieces for performances. But in my view, nothing is more challenging than Mozart. Not only is the music itself complex in {…}
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2022-23 season which will feature Riccardo Muti’s final season as the CSO’s music director. Muti has served as Music Director for 13 years. Here is a look at the vocal performances for the season. Thomas Søndergård conducts a program with music by Stravinsky, Beethoven, and Sibelius with soloist Francesco Piemontesi and Chicago Symphony {…}
The New York Philharmonic has announced its 2022-23 season. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on vocal performances. The Sound of Home will see Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” the World Premiere of a Caroline Shaw piece with Room Full of Teeth, and Price’s Symphony No. 4. Jaap van Zweden conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}
San Francisco Performances has announced its 2022-23 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal and operatic performances. Soprano Dawn Upshaw will join forces with the Brentano String Quartet for “Dido “Reimagined” by Melinda Wagner. Performance Dates: Jan. 12, 2023 Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and guitarist Jason Vieaux will perform music by Schubert, de Falla, {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) This is a review of the March 11th, 2022 performance, the Opening night of this production’s 3rd revival since 2004. “Rodelinda: Regina De’Longobardi” is old, nearly 300-years old, which is advanced in age even by operatic standards. That being said, following the rise of the early music movement of the 20th century, scholars and performers alike have {…}
The Kansas City Symphony has announced its 2022-23 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal and operatic performances. Domingo Hindoyan will conduct a performance featuring music by Brahms, Mendelssohn, and Berlioz. The KC Symphony Orchestra Chorus will perform Brahms’ “Nänie” and “Schicksalslied.” Performance Dates: Oct. 28 – 30, 2022 Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and {…}