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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
The Washington National Opera (WNO) has announced that American soprano Leah Crocetto will sing the title role of “Aida” in performances on September 10, 15, and 17 replacing American soprano Amber Wagner, who has withdrawn from the production for personal reasons. WNO Artistic Director and Aida director Francesca Zambello said, “We are incredibly fortunate that an artist of the caliber {…}
Washington National Opera’s new production of “Aida” will not be a traditional approach. But that isn’t to say that it will be a completely radical approach. According to a press release WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, who will direct the new version of Verdi’s late masterpiece, is inspired by the street artist RETNA, whose work uses calligraphy, hieroglyphics, and striking {…}
Opera America has awarded $100,000 to six opera companies for their support for female composers. The six companies include the Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Parallèle, Sarasota Opera, Seattle Opera and Washington National Opera. The Houston Grand has commission Nkeiru Okoye’s “Home of My Ancestors” while Minnesota Opera’s grant is for Paola Prestini’s “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.” {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced the roster of emerging artists engaged for the 16th season of its Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, which begins in September. In sum, there are 11 singers and two pianists/coaches. The 2017–2018 Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists including baritone Michael Adams, tenor Frederick Ballentine, mezzo Eliza Bonet, bass Timothy J. Bruno, mezzo Allegra De Vita, tenor Arnold {…}
It was backstage at the Washington National Opera Gala after a star-studded evening. The stars standing outside their dressing rooms receiving backstage guests as they started to accumulate at the bottom of the stairs in their evening wear. That’s where we caught WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, who had, as she is known to do, watched the entire show from {…}
Philippe Auguin is the new Music Director Emeritus of the Washington National Opera Orchestra. Auguin will take the post during the 2018-19 season and his position as Music Director will not be extended beyond the 2017-18 season. By the end of that very season, Auguin will have completed eight seasons with the company as its Music Director and will have {…}
How do you put on a gala? That is a question that most houses sometimes ask. Some think it is about uniting the most stars and having them walk on stage and just sing arias one after the other. Other houses put on different scenes from operas. Most recently we witnessed singers in costumes, standing and singing for over four {…}
Aretha Franklin has canceled the Washington National Opera Gala. Franklin was unable to travel due to doctor’s orders and said, “I very much regret not being able to attend and perform at the Washington National Opera Gala. I send my very best wishes for a successful and beautiful evening.” As a result, Cynthia Erivo, the Tony-winning star of Broadway’s “The {…}