Seattle Opera has announced that it will present a series of holiday chorus concerts this December. Slated for Dec. 6, 8, 9, and 10 at the Tagney Jones Hall, the program will feature works by Giuseppe Verdi, Ottorino Respighi, Melinda Bargreen, Pietro Mascagni, Gian Carlo Menotti, Kevin Puts, and P.D.Q. Bach, among others. Michaella Calzaretta conducts. The concert’s duration is {…}
(Photo credit: Seattle Opera © Philip Newton) Why build an elaborate faux-underwater set for the Rhine scenes in Wagner’s “Ring” when you have an orchestra pit that can make a perfectly plausible stage river? It’s an idea so obvious, you think surely, it must have been tried already. This is the solution found by Brian Staufenbiel, tasked with staging “Das {…}
Seattle Opera has announced that Camille Ortiz and Michael J. Hawk are the company’s new Resident Artists. The Resident Artists positions give singers “salaried, full-season experience with Seattle Opera, where they will receive professional development, performance, and mentorship opportunities along with the stability of a long-term partnership.” “The Resident Artist position offers singers a supportive environment to expand their repertoire {…}
Seattle Opera and the South Asian film and arts nonprofit Tasveer announced a new partnership. Tasveer moved its administrative staff into the Opera Center, where the two companies will share facilities and event space. In addition to access to workspace, storage, and technical support. Tasveer will also host its annual film festival in Tagney Jones Hall. Tasveer’s residency is slated for {…}
Christina Scheppelmann will assume the position of General Director at La Monnaie/De Munt in Brussels, Belgium, following the completion of her five-year contract with Seattle Opera. Scheppelmann, the fourth General Director of Seattle Opera, will conclude her tenure after the 2023-24 season. During her leadership, the company achieved significant milestones, including the world premiere of “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” the {…}
Seattle Opera has unveiled its summer lineup. “Summer is the perfect time to explore the many ways opera can expand beyond the opera house,” said General Director Christina Scheppelmann in an official press statement. “Opera isn’t only serious drama—it has always had a lighthearted side, too. Our summer programs highlight this underappreciated dimension and offer a variety of delights for all {…}
Tenor Martin Bakari, soprano Ellaina Lewis, and pianist Joe Williams are set to present a concert at Seattle Opera. The versatile program titled “From His Heart’s Deep Core” includes opera arias, art song, and jazz, with music by Richard Thompson and other composers. There will be a special set of songs that are based on the poetry of Paul Laurence {…}
Seattle Opera has a new COO and CFO. Marissa Betz-Zall will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer, and Ángela Gist, that of Chief Operations Officer. Both were appointed by the General Director Christina Scheppelmann. The two new executives will begin their functions in March 2023 and replace Jane Repensek served as COO/CFO since 2017. Betz-Zall started at the Seattle {…}
Photo: Seattle Opera What a treat to see a world premiere deliver a gripping operatic experience. Everyone involved in this endeavor earned kudos individually and cumulatively—the vision of what was possible was manifested collaboratively, each creative element building upon the others. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a new opera based on Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling 2007 novel about the resilience of {…}
Photo: Antone Patterson An opera company’s highest calling is to commission new work—to contribute to the history of opera, to leave a legacy. Seattle Opera has done so, memorably, with “A Thousand Splendid Suns.” The piece, which opened February 25 in Seattle’s McCaw Hall and ends March 11, is Seattle Opera’s first mainstage world premiere since Daron Hagen’s “Amelia” from {…}
The Seattle Opera has announced the 2023-24 season featuring four productions. Productions Wagner’s “Das Rheingold“ is set to open the season with Greer Grimsley as Wotan, Frederick Ballentine, Michael Mayes, and the Seattle Opera debut of internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. The cast is rounded by Martin Bakari, Melody Wilson, Kenneth Kellogg, Peixin Chen, and Sarah Larsen. Performance Dates: August {…}