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 {…}
The Washington National Opera will continue its annual holiday family opera tradition with “The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me.” The opera, based on Jeanette Winterson’s award-winning children’s book which tells the Nativity story from the donkey’s point of view, features music by composer Jeanine Tesori and a libretto by J.D. “Sandy” McClatchy. It will feature current and former members of WNO’s {…}
The Handel and Hayden Society has announced its 2018-19 season which will feature nine major subscription concerts and 16 Handel and Haydn premieres. It will also mark the 204th season of the society which is led by Artistic Director Harry Christophers. The Handel and Haydn Society brings Classical and Baroque music to life on period instruments in historically informed performances, {…}
The Opéra de Montréal has announced its 2018-19 season. The season will offer four productions, a chamber opera, and a unique recital by an opera star at the Festival du Monde Arabe. The program will include some of today’s greatest artists of today as well as many Canadians making a name for themselves on the world’s major stages. Here is {…}
How do you put on a gala? That is a question that most houses sometimes ask. Some think it is about uniting the most stars and having them walk on stage and just sing arias one after the other. Other houses put on different scenes from operas. Most recently we witnessed singers in costumes, standing and singing for over four {…}