The 69th Annual Granada Festival has announced its summer season program. The Spanish festival announced that it was moving forward and for this article we will focus mainly on the vocal performances. Nadine Sierra, Carlos Mena, Xabier Anduaga, and Carlos Álvarez highlight opening night performing Mozart’s Requiem under the baton of Andrea Marcon. Performance Date: June 25, 2020 Raquel Lojendio, {…}
Over 100 singers came together for a video performance of “Light Shall Lift Us,” a work by librettist Mark Campbell and composer Paul Moravec. The duo, which has worked together on “The Shining” proposed the idea to Marc Scorca of Opera America, who embraced the idea and helped put together the 107 artists who would eventually record their individual parts {…}
The Metropolitan Opera’s At-Home Gala was one of the most hotly anticipated performances of the first half of 2020; one might argue that given its sheer star power, the showcase, which was announced just two weeks ago, was more anticipated than any performance the Met had lined up as part of its regular season. While the Met initially reneged on {…}
(Credit: Jon Adjahoe) ***Editorial Note – This interview was conducted as part of series of interviews dedicated to previewing the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, that performance was canceled, but out of respect to the time put into this project by the artists and organizations, we will endeavor to publish the over coming days and weeks.(Given the context, {…}
(Image Source – Lyric Opera of Chicago) The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that it will cancel its production for Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” The tetralogy was set to run in three distinct cycles between April 13 through May 3. The first set of performances was set for April 13-18; the second was set for April 20-25; and {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of English National Opera ) This weekend there are a number of new productions including two comedies, three modern masterpieces, and one classic repertoire staple. Here is a look at our recommendations. Egmont – Theater an der Wien, Austria Edgaras Montvidas, Bo Skovhus, Maria Bengtsson, Angelika Kirchschlager, Theresa Kronthaler, and Károly Szemerédy star in Christian Jost and Christoph {…}
(Credit: Courtesy of San Francisco Opera) The San Francisco Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of new productions and stars. Here is a look. Productions The first production of the season will be Beethoven’s “Fidelio” celebrating the composer’s 250th anniversary. The new production will be directed by Matthew Ozawa with Music Director Designate Eun Sun Kim conducting {…}
At the end of “Semele” the chorus sings “Happy, happy, shall we be.” The text is a perfect sobriquet for anything to do with Harry Bicket and the English Concert. Their forays into the world of baroque music are never less than an exhilarating experience for audiences and artists alike. Meticulous musicianship and a palpable passion for playing make their annual {…}
On March 7, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera was celebrating a historical evening. It was the final performance of Sonja Frisell’s legendary production of “Aida,” which has been around for 31 years. Yet for all the publicity that attracted a rapturous audience, the historical evening was business as usual and an anticlimax. The performance featured no tribute or any type of {…}
Initial casting for Washington National Opera’s 2019 WNO Gala has been announced. The event will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019, and will celebrate local entrepreneur John J. Pohanka “for his outstanding contributions to the organization” over nearly 30 years on the Board of Trustees, according to the press release. Evan Rogister will lead “the WNO Orchestra and an {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2019-20 season featuring 10 productions, including four new productions and the Ring Cycle in its entirety. The season will also include one special concert event and one important recital, among other projects. Here is a look at what audiences should expect. Main Stage The season opens with a revival of Rossini’s “Il {…}