(Photo credit: Ken Yotsukura) Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) has decided the need to move Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” away from racism in order to save Puccini from himself. In doing so, BLO’s main production asset is its vocal cast composed mostly of people of Asian descent—an asset that BLO has been very eager to publicize. However, this narrows interpretations of what {…}
Light Opera of New Jersey is set o present “A Celebration of the Stage: Opera to Broadway.” The event, which is slated for Oct. 8 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Basking Ridge, will feature opera and musical favorites performed by baritone Troy Cook as well as numerous rising stars including Gemma Nha, Cesar Parreño, James Conrad Smith. Karen Delavan will {…}
The Florida Grand Opera has announced its 2023-24 season with three renowned operas. The season opens with Verdi’s timeless classic “La Traviata.” The opera will star Cecilia Violetta López, Pavel Petrov, and Troy Cook. Chía Patiño directs and Joe Illick conducts. Performance Dates: Nov. 11 – Dec. 2, 2023 The second opera of the season will be Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci.” It {…}
The Boston Lyric Opera has announced its 2023-24 season featuring four productions. The Boston Lyric Opera opens with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” featuring Karen Chia-Ling Ho, Alice Chung, Dominick Chenes, and Troy Cook. David Angus conducts the opera in a production by Phil Chan. Performance Dates: Sept. 14-24, 2023 David Angus conducts Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” in a production by Dawn M. Simmons. {…}
(Credit: Chris Singer) The Palm Beach Opera is set to open its first mainstage production of the 2023 Season with “Madama Butterfly.” The production opens on Jan. 20, 2023 and runs through Jan. 22. The opera will be conducted by acclaimed Italian conductor Carlo Montanaro and will showcase American stage director Alison Mortiz’s production. Sopranos Jennifer Rowley and Toni Marie {…}
Opera Philadelphia has announced its 2022-23 season which will see the return of the season-opening Festival O. Festival O22 (Sept. 21-Oct. 2) The season will open with Rossini’s “Otello” starring Opera Philadelphia Artistic Advisor Lawrence Brownlee as Rodrigo. He is joined by fellow tenors Khanyiso Gwenxane in the title role and Alek Shrader as Iago, with mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack as Desdemona. {…}
(Credit: Victory Hall Opera official website) The Victory Hall Opera has announced the upcoming world premiere of Matt Boehler and Miriam Gordon-Stewart’s chamber opera “Fat Pig.” The opera, which features a libretto is based on the play by Neil LaBute, stars Tracy Cox in the role of Helen, Troy Cook as Tom, Will Ferguson as Carter, and Sarah Wolfson as Jeannie. {…}
The Spoleto Festival USA has announced its 2022 season featuring three New Operas. The company will world premiere “Omar” by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels. Kaneza Schaal will direct the opera with John Kennedy conducting. The cast will include Jamez McCorkle in the title role, Cheryse McLeod Lewis as Omar’s mother, and Laquita Mitchell as Julie. Opening in Senegal, the opera’s {…}
Opera Colorado has announced its 2021-22 season featuring three productions and a number of international stars. Puccini’s “Tosca” opens the season with Melissa Citro, Rafael Davila, and Luis Ledesma. Ari Pelto conducts the masterwork. Performance Dates: Nov. 6-14, 2021 Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s “The Shining” will be directed by Eric Simonson. Edward Parks, Kelly Kaduce, Kevin Deas, Vale Rideout, {…}
The Virginia Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring four operas. Here is a look at the season. Adam Turner conducts Verdi’s “Rigoletto“ with Stephanie Havey directing. The cast will include Grant Youngblood in the title role, Alisa Jordheim as Gilda, Matthew Vickers as The Duke of Mantua, Joseph Barron as Sparafucile, and Leah Heater as Maddalena. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}
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 {…}