Opera Philadelphia will make its film adaptation of David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs” available to stream free on YouTube beginning Nov. 11, 2026, Veterans Day, in recognition of the opera’s 20th anniversary. The film was directed by and stars baritone Johnathan McCullough. It premiered on the Opera Philadelphia Channel in 2021 and was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best {…}
The Chicago Opera Theater has announced a cast change for “Soldier Songs” one week before performances start. The company revealed that Nathan Gunn had to withdraw from the production due to a family emergency. In his stead, David Adam Moore will jump in. He sang the opera previously with a number of companies and appeared in commercial recording of the {…}
The Chicago Opera Theater is set to open its 50th Anniversary season with David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs.” The haunting, heavy-metal infused theatrical cantata about the psychological impact of war is set to star baritone Nathan Gunn as The Soldier. Conducted by Chicago Opera Theater Elizabeth Morse and Genius Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya, the opera will be performed on Oct. 5 at Epiphany {…}
Opera Philadelphia’s films are heading to the movies this fall. On Nov. 10 and 12, audiences will be able to check out David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs” at the Colonial Theatre, Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Ambler Theater, Princeton Garden Theatre, and County Theater. This film will be accompanied by the 2021 short “TakTakShoo” by composer Rene Orth, which stars Kristen {…}
“We have to take care of the opera’s legacy, but at the same time create what has not yet been yet created,” says composer Esa-Pekka Salonen. “If we don’t take the risk, it will dry out and lose its relevance.” Last year, the opera found itself on the threshold of another change: people were no longer allowed to perform and {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a film section or a film in its entirety and highlight the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Opera {…}
There’s no doubt what video productions have meant for the opera world over the last year. With COVID-19 continuing to rage, live performance is simply not an option at this moment and will struggle to become the norm once again for some time. In its stead, companies have turned to the magic of cinema and streaming options available for distribution. {…}
On Jan. 22, Opera Philadelphia will present David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs” on its Opera Philadelphia Channel. The work was filmed on location at the Brandywine Conservancy in Chester County, Pennsylvania, by the site of the American Revolution’s Battle of Brandywine in 1777. The film stars Johnathan McCullough, who also serves as director and co-screenwriter along with producer James Darrah. Opera {…}
Opera Philadelphia has launched the first trailer for its film version of David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs.” The opera film, which is set to premiere on Jan. 22, 2021, will star baritone Johnathan McCullough, who is also making his directorial debut with the project. The project was originally set to be performed as a stage production that would travel and {…}
Beth Morrison Projects has announced its 2019-20 season, which will include 64 performances on four continents. James Darrah will direct Ellen Reid’s “Prism.” The production will star mezzo-soprano Rebecca Jo Loeb as Lumee and soprano Anna Schubert as her ill daughter, Bibi. Performances will be held at Teatro Municipal in São Paulo (in its South American premiere) and at the {…}
The Los Angeles Opera continues to alter its 2018-19 season, now adding an opera that was not originally slated to appear at all. The work in question is David T. Little’s “Soldier Songs,” which will a single performance on Oct. 13, 2018. The work will be showcased as part of the company’s Off Grand showcases and will be directed by {…}