(Photo credit: Cory Weaver) The West Coast premiere of “The Handmaid’s Tale“, by composer Poul Ruders and librettist Paul Bentley fills the War Memorial Opera House with a performance as harrowing as the dystopic story itself. Delayed by the pandemic from its originally scheduled debut, the co-production of San Francisco Opera (SFO) and the Royal Danish Theatre runs through October {…}
(Photo: Camilla Winther/Royal Danish Opera) San Francisco Opera is set to present the West Coast premiere of Poul Ruders and Paul Bentley’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The work based on Margaret Atwood’s novel was originally scheduled for the 2020–21 Season and was delayed by the pandemic. The work will be conducted by Karen Kamensek and will be directed by John Fulljames, {…}
(Photo: Monika Rittershouse) Opernhaus Zürich presents a new production of Claudio Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo.” Premiered in 1607, “L’Orfeo” is not the first opera ever composed, but it is hailed as the first great opera. It stands out as the first to use music as a dramatic tool, employing diverse musical colors to express various emotional states. Its monumental success paved the {…}
The Canadian Opera Company is set to present Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” from Feb. 2 through 24, 2024. The opera, which will be performed at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is directed by British director Amy Lane from the production’s original director, Kasper Holten. COC Music Director Johannes Debus will lead the COC Orchestra with a cast that {…}
The Canadian Opera Company’s free concert series at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre runs September through May. This article only includes classical vocal works. First up is “Meet the Ensemble Studio.” The company’s artistic development program is comprised of emerging professional Canadian opera artists. Performance Date: September 20, 2023 “Mostly Mozart” is performed by UofT Opera. Performance Date: September 27, 2023 {…}
The Scottish Opera has announced its 2023-24 season. Opera Samuel Dale Johnson, Simone McIntosh, Anthony Gregory, David Stout, and Dingle Yandell star in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” Stuart Stratford conducts the production by Sir Thomas Allen. Performance Dates: Oct. 17-Nov. 25, 2023 Jonathan Dive’s “Marx in London” will be conducted by David Parry and directed by Stephen Barlow. The {…}
The Deutsche Oper am Rhein has announced its 2023-24 season. Premieres The first new production of the season will be Wagner’s “Parsifal” with Daniel Frank and Michael Weinius sharing the title role. They are joined by Bogdan Baciu, Luke Stoker, Hans-Peter König, Joachim Goltz, and Sarah Ferede. Axel Kober conducts the production by Michael Thalheimer. Performance Dates: Sept. 17, 2023-April 7, {…}
The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World has announced the 2023 participants. The competition will showcase 16 singers from around the world competing for the top prize. The singers are Simone McIntosh (Canada), HuHe Gala (China), Meigui Zhang (China), Julieth Lozano Rolong (Colombia), William Thomas (England), Adolfo Corrado (Italy), Beomjin Kim ( South Korea), Sungho Kim (South Korea), Beth Taylor {…}
Festival Napa Valley has announced the launch of the Manetti Shrem Opera Program. The new initiative will nurture the careers of young singers through fully staged opera productions and recitals, a summer vocal conservatory, and a $10,000 Manetti Shrem Prize. The winners of the 2021 Prize include Mario Rojas and Simone McIntosh. “The Manetti Shrem Opera Program enables Festival Napa {…}
(Credit: San Francisco Opera) The 37th Schwabacher Recital Series is set to continue on Wednesday, March 4 with a performance of Francisco Opera Adler Fellows Simone McIntosh and Zhengyi Bai. Th recital, set for San Francisco’s Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater, will explore love and heartbreak. McIntosh and Bai will be accompanied by Robert Mollicone on the piano with {…}