Embracing Tradition & Moving Beyond It – Tenor Russell Thomas On ‘Don Carlo,’ ‘Otello,’ & How To Learn From Artists & Audiences Of The Present & Past

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 {…}

Mar 2, 2018

Top 5 Operas of the Weekend – North America (3/2-4): ‘Faust,’ ‘Don Carlo’ & Other Repertory Favorites Dominate Weekend

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 {…}

Feb 19, 2018

Isabel Leonard, Nathan Gunn & Kathryn Lewek To Celebrate Bernstein At Washington National Opera

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 {…}

Jan 19, 2018

Q & A: American Opera Initiative Director Robert Ainsley On Growing the Opera World & Challenges For Aspiring Composers / Librettists

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 {…}

Nov 9, 2017

Washington National Opera Announces 6th Annual American Opera Initiative Festival

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,” {…}

Nov 3, 2017

Weekend Preview – USA (11/3-5): Saratoga Opera, Opera Omaha, Anchorage Opera, Opera Naples Among Companies Opening New Productions

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 {…}

Sep 22, 2017

The Washington National Opera Names New General Director

The Washington National Opera announced that Timothy O’Leary has been appointed as General Director of the Washington National Opera. The position will be effective July 1, 2018, as O’Leary will be joining from Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL), where he has served as its General Director since 2008. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of OPERA America, the national {…}

Sep 22, 2017

Weekend Preview – USA (9/22-24): Lyric Opera of Chicago Opens Season With ‘Orpheus and Eurydice’

More opera companies open their doors this weekend starting with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The LOC’s first performance of the year on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, will be Gluck’s “Orpheus and Eurydice.” The opera stars Andriana Chuchmann, Dmitry Korchak, Lauren Snouffer, and Harry Bicket conducting. Meanwhile, Opera Philadelphia continues its festival with performances of “The Magic Flute” on Friday {…}

Sep 15, 2017

Weekend Preview – USA (9/15-17): ‘Elizabeth Cree’ Makes Its World Premiere in Philadelphia

It is another busy weekend in the opera world with more and more companies opening their doors for the fall season. Opera Philadelphia is the first new addition to the weekend with its first performance of “The Magic Flute” on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, the company showcases the world premiere of Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell’s “Elizabeth Cree,” which {…}

Sep 8, 2017

Weekend Preview – USA (9/8-10): NYC Opera, LA Opera, San Francisco, Washington & Others Open Seasons

After a relatively quiet weekend in the USA, the opera world starts coming back to life in this second week of September. The New York City Opera continues its season-opening run of “La Fanciulla del West” on Friday and Sunday. OPERA San Antonio’s production of “Macbeth” kicks off for two performances on Friday and Sunday and will star Greer Grimsley {…}

Aug 25, 2017

Social Media Beat (8/18-24): Which Companies Have Begun Rehearsing?

It’s that time of the year when companies begin to rehearse for opening night and as a result, rather than put the focus on individual singers, this week we will see what companies are sharing about their preparations. Opera Philadelphia Opera Philadephia’s festival opens in two weeks and rehearsals have clearly begun. This week the company posted a picture of {…}

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