This review was written as a collaboration between David & Francisco Salazar for the performance on Feb. 7, 2019. Over the course of five months the Metropolitan Opera has shown everything from Verismo, French, Classical, Contemporary, Russian, Hungarian and German opera; there has also been a solid abundance of Verdi opera. What has sorely been missing are works that have {…}
Sparks & Wiry Cries is set to present its first ever songSLAM Festival this January. The event, which will take place between Jan. 17-20, 2019, aims to engage audiences in current conversations throught contemporary art song. There will be a competition that features 10-12 art song premieres by emerging composer/performer teams with audiences voting on their favorite new work and {…}
Bard College has announced the appointment of Stephanie Blythe as artistic director of the Bard College Conservatory of Music Graduate Vocal Arts Program. The mezzo-soprano, who will begin her post in July 2019, said in a press statement, “Life is full of extraordinary journeys. Some are planned, some are hoped for, and some are joyful surprises. My appointment to this wonderful {…}
Even before you stepped into the Metropolitan Opera on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, you knew who the star of the night was destined to be. The entire marketing campaign run by the Metropolitan Opera in anticipation of “Il Trittico” had seemingly focused on one person and one person only. The company had announced a special ceremony would take place at {…}
Puccini’s “Il Trittico” returns to the Met Opera on Nov. 23, 2018, for seven performances. Despite being one of Puccini’s finest works, it has only been presented with the company on 74 occasions; by the end of this run, it will have 81 performances total. As is always the case with these operas, there are a ton of singers involved {…}
Every year, there are a few events in the New York opera scene that occupy top billing in most people’s minds. Among them might be the Metropolitan Opera’s opening season performance, it’s New Year’s showcase, and some new productions littered here and there. For some, the New York City Opera’s productions also continue to hold value. And then some smaller {…}
The Richard Tucker shall be streamed on medici.tv this Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 free of charge. The broadcast will also be available on Facebook and via WQXR for audience in New York. This year’s concert will center on bass Christian Van Horn, who won the Richard Tucker Award. He is set to perform in Boito’s “Mefistofele” at the Metropolitan Opera {…}
PBS will showcase the Live in HD broadcast of “Cendrillon” from the Metropolitan Opera as part of its Great Performances Series on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. The broadcast will kick off at 12 p.m. EDT and features Joyce DiDonato, Alice Coote, Kathleen Kim, Stephanie Blythe, and Laurent Naouri in the Massenet adaptation of “Cinderella.” The Live in HD broadcast was {…}
OPERA NEWS has announced Singers’ Studio series, which is set to include some of today’s biggest stars. The series, hosted by the editors of OPERA NEWS, will showcase many stars at the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s Opera Learning Center to discuss their careers and current performances at the Metropolitan Opera. “Our Singers’ Studio sessions present a unique opportunity to engage in casual {…}
The Richard Tucker Foundation has announced its lineup for its 2018 gala concert celebrating Christian Van Horn’s recent Richard Tucker Award. The gala will see previous Richard Tucker winners Christine Goerke, Angela Meade, Nadine Sierra, Stephanie Blythe, and Michael Fabiano showcase their talents. Additionally, superstars Anna Netrebko, Javier Camarena, and Yusif Eyvazov will participate in the event. The starry lineup will be {…}
Jules Massenet is one of the great composers that can’t be called an auteur in the traditional sense. When you go to any performance of music by virtually any composer, you can pretty much guarantee that said composer’s voice will come through consistently even if the means or style deviates ever so slightly. Verdi remains Verdi whether you are listening to {…}