Race and ethnicity continue to vex the opera world in the same manner as they do the rest of society. If events at last week’s Opera America Conference are indicative of the industry, it’s a topic that requires further discussion at future conferences with no easy answers in sight. There were no fewer than five panels related to race and {…}
The Washington National Opera will celebrate the eleventh season of free opera broadcasts at Nationals Park with Opera in the Outfield on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. The evening will showcase Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” in high-definition on the Nationals Park scoreboard at 7 p.m. Hosted by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, the production directed by Peter Kazaras is set to {…}
One of the most exciting companies around opens its doors on its 2018 season while another major company celebrates one of the musical titans of the 20th century. Those are just two of the five major picks this year. La Traviata – Opera Theatre of Saint Louis One of the biggest opera festivals in the US kicks off with the {…}
The Washington National Opera is preparing to finish off its 2017-18 season, celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s centennial anniversary with his “opera” “Candide.” The run kicks off on May 6, 2018, at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The celebration is set to feature an all-star cast that includes tenor Alek Shrader in his WNO debut. He will take on the title role {…}
It’s somewhat of a cliché for Golden Age thinking to creep into the dialogue of the opera world. How many times have you heard someone make the claim that they don’t make great voices the way they used to? The obvious answer is that they don’t because the world has changed and so have tastes. But sometimes, you’ll find those {…}
This Saturday, March 3, 2018, the Washington National Opera will be staging a four-act version of “Don Carlo” with a superstar cast. While many might turn to the likes of Leah Crocetto, Jamie Barton, or Eric Owens, for the star power, tenor Russell Thomas is poised to have a big night in his Washington National Opera debut. Thomas recently spoke {…}
It’s a big weekend around the United States with two high-profile opera companies showcasing the debut of major productions. In this week’s picks, you will see a mix of major stars and big companies with up-and-comers at smaller organizations. Here are our top five picks in alphabetical order by company. Faust – Lyric Opera of Chicago Superstar soprano Ailyn Pérez {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced the 2018 WNO Gala, which takes place on Sunday, May 20 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. This year’s annual Gala will celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s centennial and will feature Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor Patti LuPone, Emmy nominated singer and actor Tituss Burgess, Grammy winner Isabel Leonard, and soprano Kathryn Lewek. The gala will also {…}
Growing opera has become one of the essential missions of major opera companies. Fostering new talent, whether it be singers or composers, is now an active part of most opera companies’ structures. That is no different for the Washington National Opera and its American Opera Initiative. The program was initiated in 2012 with the goal to “stimulate, enrich, and ensure {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced the sixth season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative, a comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. This year’s festival will include the world premiere of a new hour-long work by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, “Proving Up,” {…}
This weekend will feature a ton of opera across North America, with companies opening a number of productions and others closing them up. First, let’s take a look at the new runs opening this week. Saratoga Opera’s “La Traviata” gets its first performances on Friday and Sunday while Opera Omaha presents its only two “Tosca” showcases of the year those {…}