Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – North America (3/9-11): 3 Classics Coupled With 2 Modern Works Lead the Way

For this week’s recommendations, we have two modern works coupled with three classic masterworks (or more like four with two in a double bill). Throw in a combination of small and big-name companies and this weekend’s recommendations run a wide and diverse gamut. Un Ballo In Maschera – Livermore Valley Opera First up on our list is the independent company’s {…}

Utah Opera 2018-19 To Feature Marjorie Owens, Andrew Stenson & Rachel Portman

 The Utah Opera announced its 2018-19 season featuring two new productions by the company’s in-house Production Studios.  The season opens on Oct. 13, 2018, with Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” with tenor Joshua Dennis as Roméo and soprano Anya Matanovič, who will star as Juliette. Robert Tweten conducts the production with scenery designed by Eric Fielding and costumes by Susan Memmott Allred. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}

Utah Opera 2017-18 Review – Moby Dick: Jake Heggie’s Masterwork Soars In Solid Production

Condensing a full-length novel down to an opera of manageable proportions is a daunting task. Sometimes the challenges seem insurmountable. Take, for example, Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie’s transformation of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” Since its premiere in 2007, it’s gone through several revisions and multiple attempts at downsizing the sprawling story to a find a good, {…}

Top 6 Operas To See This Weekend – North America (1/19-21): Jonas Kaufmann, Houston Grand Opera & Modern Works Take Centerstage

As we go deeper into January, we see more and more opera companies returning to business. The Metropolitan Opera is still very much at the forefront of some of the richest opera experiences of the weekend, but this weekend we will turn to other exciting companies taking on projects with greater risk. The majority of this weekend’s list consists of {…}

Weekend Preview – USA (10/6-8): LA Opera’s ‘Pearl Fishers’ & Chicago’s “Rigoletto’ Among Highlights

The busy weekend in the US continues throughout with a number of companies continuing previously unveiled productions. Before we look at continued runs, let’s look at some of the first-timers this weekend. Among those is LA Opera’s production of “The Pearl Fishers,” which opens on Saturday with a cast that includes Nino Machaidze, Javier Camarena, and Alfredo Daza.  Over in {…}

Weekend Preview (5/19-21) – North America: This Is Your Last Chance for Adrianne Pieczonka’s ‘Tosca,’ Nicole Cabell’s ‘Bohème’ & Numerous Other Productions

The Metropolitan Opera season may be over, but a lot of other opera companies remain open for business. Sadly this weekend represents a great number of goodbyes for the time being. If you want opera, here are the companies to look up during the weekend. The Canadian Opera Company is finishing up its run of Puccini’s “Tosca” on Friday and {…}