Christina Scheppelmann, Seattle Opera’s Artistic Director, Makes Statement on Plácido Domingo Situation

Christina Scheppelmann, the new Artistic Director of the Seattle Opera, has chimed in on the Plácido Domingo situation. According to Catalan newsite El Periódico, Scheppelmann worked closely with Domingo between 2001 and 2012 at the Washington National Opera when she was the company’s artistic director. “If any employee [in Washington] would have stated that Plácido was harassing her, action would {…}

Aug 26, 2019

Seattle Opera 2019-20 Review: Rigoletto

(Credit Sunny Martini) Right from the start of Seattle Opera’s “Rigoletto,” stage director Lindy Hume signaled not to expect the evening to adhere too closely to operatic convention. The curtain went up suddenly with the house lights still on, showing us, in silence, a man dressed as a waiter or Maitre D’ sitting on a deluxe leather sofa in a {…}

Aug 9, 2019

Seattle Opera’s 2019-20 Season Opener Among Top 4 Operas To See This Weekend in North America

As the summer winds down, the festival season is also drawing to a close. But that also means that the 2019-20 season will slowly start to get underway. So this weekend’s top recommendations showcase this transitional period at its finest. Glimmerglass Festival – The Queen of Spades Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece will be showcased in a production by Francesca Zambello with Michelle {…}

May 11, 2019

Seattle Opera 2018-19 Review: Carmen

It’s been over 20 years since I’ve seen a live production of “Carmen,” so my anticipation was high for opening night of Seattle Opera’s updated production. Does absence makes operatic eyes and ears grow fonder? The boldly designed act curtain that welcomed us called to mind a giant, colorful yet tattered roadside billboard with the word “Carmen” in bright relief, {…}

May 3, 2019

Lucias Lucas’ U.S. Debut Among Top 5 Operas To See This Weekend in North America (5/3-5)

This weekend has a ton of incredible productions to behold. The New York Opera Festival is in full swing as some of the major companies from around the country start to close their doors for the summer. The Rape of Lucretia – New Camerata Opera The Britten piece gets a unique new production directed by Bea Goodwin that will also {…}

Mar 21, 2019

Christina Scheppelmann Set To Become Seattle Opera’s New General Director

The Seattle Opera has announced that Christina Scheppelmann will become the company’s fourth General Director starting in August 2019. Per a press release, “In the Seattle area, Scheppelmann becomes the only woman to hold the top artistic leadership position at a large theater or performing arts organization (with an annual budget of more than $10 million). In the opera world, {…}

Feb 22, 2019

Top 5 Operas To See This Weekend – North America (2/22-24)

There is a wide range of variety on this weekend’s recommendations, though you might notice a familiar composer making his way into the top five for yet another week. Here are the operas to see this weekend (in alphabetical order by company). The Loser – LA Opera David Lang’s new opera makes its West Coast premiere on Friday and Saturday {…}

Jan 24, 2019

Seattle Opera Extends Free Tickets To Furloughed Federal Workers

The Seattle Opera has extended its offer to give furloughed federal workers free tickets. In a press statement, “due to the interest in this offer from furloughed federal workers, Seattle Opera is pleased to extend this to our final two performances of ‘Il Trovatore’ this weekend. Furloughed federal workers can receive two free tickets to the company’s final two performances of ‘Il {…}

Jan 18, 2019

Seattle Opera To Offer Free Tickets To Federal Workers During Government Shutdown

The Seattle Opera has announced that it will offer free tickets to furloughed federal governments workers. The company announced that workers will be entitled to two free tickets each for the company’s performances of “Il Trovatore” on Saturday, Jan. 19, 20, and 23. In order to redeem the tickets the workers must present their federal government ID at the McCaw {…}

Jan 11, 2019

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – North America (1/11-13)

As we enter the second weekend of January the opera schedule starts to get busier around North America, especially with the Prototype Festival in full swing. Many of those works were in last week’s recommendations and they still stand. But there are other major productions worth considering for your opera enjoyment this weekend (in alphabetical order by company). Stinney – {…}

Jan 2, 2019

Costa-Jackson Sisters, Wallis Giunta Among Major Highlights of Seattle Opera’s 2019-20 Season

The Seattle Opera is the first major opera company to announce its 2019-20 season, which will feature five operas and a special concert. Productions Verdi’s “Rigoletto” will open the season in August with a cast that features Lester Lynch and Giuseppe Altomare in the title role. Madison Leonard and Soraya Mafi take on Gilda while tenors Yongzhao Yu and Liparit {…}