Conductor Oliver Zeffman has commissioned a new opera, “Eight Songs From Isolation,” which bring together prominent composers and artists to explore themes of distance. Zeffman conducts the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and features artists such as Sarah Connolly, Iestyn Davies, Sophie Bevan, Toby Spence, Julia Bullock, and more. Over 50 people across North America, Europe, Africa and {…}
(Credits: Opéra National de Paris official website / Chen Reiss official website / Harlequin Agency official website) The Royal Opera House Covent Garden has announced its fall program schedule. For the purposes of this article, we will focus only on vocal works. “4/4” is an evening of opera that has been curated by Director of Opera Oliver Mears and features {…}
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown theaters around the world, the Metropolitan Opera has announced not one but two weeks of nightly streams in advance. The next few weeks feature a mix of more recent performances with some classic showcases from decades ago. Here’s the rundown. Monday, May 25 – Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust Conducted by James {…}
The London Philharmonic has announced its 2020-21 season featuring a number of important soloists around the world. For this article we will highlight the vocal performances. The season opens with a program entitled Fantastic Symphony with Edward Gardner leading a program of works by Tchaikovsky, Lutosławski, and Berlioz. Gerald Finley will be the featured soloist. Performance Date: Sept. 23, 2020 Edward {…}
(Credit: Michael Orenstein / Chris Singer) The Aldeburgh Festival has unveiled its 2020 festival, which will take place between June 12-28, 2020. The festival will open at Bury St. Edmund’s Abbey with a concert that features such artists and ensembles as Britten Sinfonia, Allan Clayton, Ian Bostridge, Clare Hammond and Ryan Wigglesworth, among others. The concert will feature the world {…}
Mary Bevan and Sophie Bevan been highlighted at the Queen’s birthday honors. The two sopranos received the honor of being appointed MBE, alongside conductor Robin Ticciati, Principal Conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, who was given the distinction of OBE. Tenor Mark Padmore and composer Jonathan Dov were recognized with a CBE. Outside the classical realm, Olivia Colman and Elvis Costello {…}
The English National Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring seven new productions and three revivals, the greatest number of new productions in five years. The season will also include four new productions that present the same story: the Orpheus myth will be seen in four operas spanning 230 years, interpreted by four directors from radically different theatrical disciplines, all within the {…}
The Edinburgh International Festival has announced its 2019 slate, which will feature a wide range of performances across opera, classical music, theatre, dance, and contemporary music. For this article, we will place focus solely on opera productions. The first of these is Barrie Kosky and the Komische Oper Berlin’s production of “Eugene Onegin,” which will feature Günther Papendell and Michael {…}
Opera North has announced its new season featuring seven operas and two new productions. Here is a look at what to expect! The season opens with Bohuslav Martinů “The Greek Passion” in a new production by Christopher Alden. Gary Walker conducts the masterful score with a cast headed by Nicky Spence, Magdalena Molendowska, Paul Nilon, Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts, Stephen Gadd, John Savournin, Steven {…}
This week, two new releases are set to hit the market. One comes from the Metropolitan Opera, while the other comes from one of the world’s rising stars. Here is a look at what we recommend this week. The Exterminating Angel Thomas Adès’ latest opera gets a release by Erato after its U.S. premiere at the Metropolitan Opera. The opera {…}
The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its slate for the 2019-20 season, which will take place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. As per other season announcements, the focus here will be on opera singers and other such vocal showcases. Things get started with a performance of Verdi’s Requiem with Edward Gardner conducting. Elza van den Heever, Ekaterina Gubanova, {…}
