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 {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced that legendary Queen of Soul and Kennedy Center Honoree Aretha Franklin, Tony-winning Broadway luminary Brian Stokes Mitchell, and current Hamilton star Jordan Donica will perform at the 2017 WNO Opera Gala, Trading Voices. The stars will join mezzo-soprano and D.C. native, Denyce Graves, Hamilton Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr., and, soprano Renée Fleming {…}
It is yet another busy opera weekend across North America, with the Metropolitan Opera’s 2016-17 season, the longest running in the country, coming to a close. Here is a rundown of the companies and works they will be presenting on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. As with last weekend’s edition, we will list the companies and corresponding productions. For more information {…}
Opera season remains in full swing across North America as summer fast approaches. With so many companies in business this weekend, we have opted for a slight shift in structure. Instead of a series of paragraphs, we will go list form for this week’s edition and any with this massive amount of productions. Behold the opera events of the weekend {…}
Michael L. Mael, Washington National Opera’s Executive Director is stepping down from the leadership position starting on July 1, 2017. He has held that same position since 2011. Mael started out at the company as Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for all financial and day-to-day operations of the company. Three years later he became WNO’s Executive Director. {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced an Opera Gala to conclude its 2016-17 season. The 2017 WNO Opera Gala, celebrating WNO Board Chairman Jacqueline Badger Mars, will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2017, and will include a concert in the Kennedy Center Opera House featuring the WNO Orchestra and an array of musical stars who will pay special tribute to Mars’s {…}
A French classic returns to the Met stage this weekend as the other major companies around the states continue business as usual. Audiences will get a chance to relive Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” at the Met with a new cast starring Pretty Yende and Stephen Costello. The following day, Massenet’s “Werther,” which was widely praised (including by OperaWire) makes its {…}
A new opera starts its life on Saturday while a rarity gets its premiere in a major city and a modern masterwork arrives in our nation’s capital. Yes, opera is finally starting to bloom around the States, with many smaller companies getting in on the act. Arizona Opera is showcasing the world premiere of Bohmler’s “Riders of the Purple Sage.” {…}
Overcoming a traumatic experience is an arduous task that really never goes away. It leaves its mark, the smallest stimulus bringing it back with greater potency. Artists don’t always have the luxury of running away from trauma. They not only have to portray it but live it time and time again. And in the case of opera singers, they might {…}
There may only be a total of six operas being shown at the Washington National Opera next season, but there is a wealth of great singers going to the house. Among them are some of the greatest stars as well as some very exciting rising stars. OperaWire takes a look at some of the stars that cannot be missed this {…}
The Washington National Opera has just announced its 2017-18 season. Aida The company will kick off the year with a new production of Verdi’s “Aida.” Directed by Francesca Zambello, the new production will be co-produced with San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, and Minnesota Opera. The opening performance takes place on Sept. 9 and the run lasts until Sept. 23, a {…}