Weekend Preview (4/7-9) – USA: Anna Netrebko, Lawrence Brownlee & Eric Owens Lead Busy Weekend Which Features Performances in Memphis, Nashville, Tampa & Palm Beach Among Others

It is going to be a busy opera weekend around the US with a plethora of companies, both large and small, giving new productions and old. Opera Memphis will showcase three works throughout the weekend including Peter Hilliard’s “Blue Viola” on Friday and Saturday, Jake Heggie’s “Three Decembers” on Saturday,” and John Musto’s “Later the Same Evening” on Saturday. Palm {…}

Mar 17, 2017

Seattle Opera Makes Major Layoffs To Offset Difficult Economic Situation

It has been a rough few weeks for the opera world. Last week the Fresno Grand Opera filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This week has already seen the gutting of the National Endowment for the Arts and now, Seattle Opera has made some major budget cuts brought about by questionable fiscal management. According to the Seattle Times, the company is {…}

Mar 10, 2017

Weekend Preview (3/10-12) – USA: Dallas, Minnesota, San Diego & Naples Audiences Get New Operas to See

Many opera companies get back in on the action this weekend from all around the country in one of the busier weekends of the season. The Dallas Opera makes its great return on Friday, March 10 with a production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” Hui He stars in the leading role with Gianluca Terranova, Lucas Meachem and Manuela Custer rounding out the {…}

Mar 3, 2017

Weekend Preview (3/3-5) – USA: Pretty Yende returns to Met Stage for ‘Roméo et Juliette’

A French classic returns to the Met stage this weekend as the other major companies around the states continue business as usual. Audiences will get a chance to relive Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” at the Met with a new cast starring Pretty Yende and Stephen Costello. The following day, Massenet’s “Werther,” which was widely praised (including by OperaWire) makes its {…}

Feb 24, 2017

Weekend Preview (2/24-26) – USA: A Western, A Heggie & A Floyd Make Major Premieres This Weekend

A new opera starts its life on Saturday while a rarity gets its premiere in a major city and a modern masterwork arrives in our nation’s capital. Yes, opera is finally starting to bloom around the States, with many smaller companies getting in on the act. Arizona Opera is showcasing the world premiere of Bohmler’s “Riders of the Purple Sage.” {…}

Jan 27, 2017

Weekend Preview (1/27-29, 2017): LA & Chicago Among 5 Major Companies To Open Their Doors To 2017

Four companies open their doors for 2017 as the opera world in the United States slowly gets back in the rhythm. The two most recognized are the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Los Angeles Opera. Both companies will make their 2017 premieres on Saturday. In Chicago, audiences will be treated to Mozart’s “The Abduction of the Seraglio” which will feature {…}

Jan 16, 2017

What Should First Opera Goers See at the Arizona, Canadian, Seattle and Houston Grand Operas in 2017-18?

The Arizona, Seattle, Canadian and Houston Operas have announced their 2017-18 seasons with a variety of operas to see. For the experienced opera goers the choices are not so hard as they have already seen most of the selections but for newcomers who have seen one or no operas before it may be hard to choose what opera to see. {…}

Jan 11, 2017

‘Traviata Tour’ – Corinne Winters on Singing Verdi’s Iconic Heroine Three Times in 2017 [Exclusive]

Violetta, the heroine of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” is one of the iconic roles of the operatic repertoire, the measuring stick by which almost all sopranos are judged. Singing the role for many is an indication for them that they have “arrived” in the opera world. It is so imbued with depth and intensity that years and years of performance reveal {…}

Jan 3, 2017

Seattle Opera Announces 2017-18 Season As Art Meets Real-Life In ‘Cosi Fan Tutte,’ ‘Beatrice & Benedict’

The Seattle Opera has announced it 2017-18 season featuring five operas, two of which will see art and real-life come together as one. The season opens August 5 with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” starring Lianna Haroutounian and Alexia Voulgaridou alternating the title role of Cio-Cio San. Alexey Dolgov and Dominik Chenes will sing the role of Pinkerton while Weston Hurt will sing the {…}

Dec 27, 2016

Opera Stars React to Carrie Fisher’s Death

Legendary actress Carrie Fisher died this morning in Los Angeles after suffering Cardiac Arrest. The actress created the role of Princess Leia in “Star Wars” and became a legend. She was also known for overcoming addiction and mental illness and wrote several books on her experiences. Her prolific work was inspiring to many people and just recently she had released {…}