(Photo © Glyndebourne Productions Ltd. Photo: Tristram Kenton) There was much to fuel the excitement around a brand new production of Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” for Glyndebourne Festival Opera this year. It’s the first time the work has ever been mounted there, and it’s always a treat to see what the slickly-oiled operatic operation, with its six weeks of {…}
Durham University has renamed its city center venue, the Assembly Rooms Theatre, in honor of its former chancellor, baritone Thomas Allen. Allen stepped down as Chancellor of the University in 2022, a role he held for a decade between 2012-22; on June 29 he took part in the ceremony to welcome his successor, foreign affairs expert Dr Fiona Hill. Allen’s {…}
(Credit: Deutsche Oper am Rhein official website) The Durham University has announced that the famed baritone Sir Thomas Allen will step down from his post after more than ten years in the role. “The Chancellor is the Head of the University and the role includes ceremonial, pastoral, scholarly, and ambassadorial duties. Sir Thomas is one of the longest serving Chancellors {…}
Audiences are in for several comedies this week as well as rarely performed works. New releases also include star-studded casts as well as rising stars. Here is a look at what to stream or watch this week! Candide The LSO releases a new recording of Bernstein’s iconic work conducted by Marin Alsop. The new version was captured during celebratory concerts {…}
The pre-recorded 16th Annual OPERA NEWS Awards Gala streamed on Sunday, April 18, 2021, and the Met Opera Guild and OPERA NEWS deserve kudos for the online event, but let’s face reality, after a year of virtual everything, it’s all wearing thin—especially given that many of us are suffering serious Zoom fatigue. Do we want to plop down in front {…}
(Credits: Opera Online website / Paul Foster-Williams / Gerard Collett) The Grange Festival has announced its 2021 edition which will feature several opera productions headline by opera’s greatest stars. Here is the breakdown of what’s in store for 2021. Britten’s operatic masterpiece “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will open the festival. The opera will feature Alexander Chance in the role of {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced the next two weeks of its streaming slate which will focus on opera’s greatest comedies and political dramas. Renée Fleming and Joyce DiDonato lead the way, appearing in three different streams each over the course of the two weeks. Here is a full rundown. Week 32– Operatic Comedies Monday, October 19 – Rossini’s Il Barbiere di {…}
OPERA NEWS has announced that it must cancel its awards gala scheduled for April 5, 2020 due to regulations put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19. “The editors of OPERA NEWS and the staff and board of directors of the Metropolitan Opera Guild thank our supporters, our sponsors and our 2020 honorees — Thomas Allen, Javier Camarena, Anthony {…}
OPERA NEWS has announced the recipients for 2020 Opera News Awards which include Diana Damrau, Thomas Allen. Javier Camarena, Ana María Martinez, and Anthony Roth Costanzo. This is the 15th year that the organization distributes its awards, with this year’s gala event set for April, 5, 2020 at the Plaza Hotel. “Since the first presentation of the OPERA NEWS Awards in 2005, the {…}
On March 16, 2019, Sir Thomas Allen gave his final performance at the Royal Opera House. The Royal Opera House announced via social media that the famed baritone gave his final performance with the house in “Così Fan Tutte.” In a social media message, the company said, “Sir Thomas Allen coming off stage after last night’s performance of ‘Così fan tutte’ {…}
OperaVision will showcase a performance of Mozart’s perennial masterpiece “The Marriage of Figaro,” live from the Royal College of Music on Jan. 1, 2019. The new opera will feature Harry Thatcher, Josephine Goddard, Julieth Lozano, Adam Maxey, Lauren Joyanne Morris, Katy Thomson, Timothy Edlin, Joel Williams, Samuel Jenkins, Poppy Shotts, and Conall O’Neill. The production will be conducted by Michael {…}