The Washington National Opera has announced the appointment of conductor Robert Spano as Music Director of the WNO, beginning in the 2025–2026 season. Spano will become the music director designate, effective immediately until his initial three-year term begins in September 2025. In the new position, Spano will provide musical leadership for the company, overseeing the Washington National Opera Orchestra, Chorus, {…}
(Credit: Karli Cadel) The Washington National Opera is set to present “Songbird,” a new adaptation of Jacques Offenbach’s operetta “La Périchole.” The work, which is set to be performed between March 9 and 23, 2024, will star Isabel Leonard and Ramin Karimloo. The cast will be rounded out by Edward Nelson, Teresa Perrotta, Kresley Figueroa, Cecelia McKinley, Tesia Kwarteng, Sahel {…}
Works & Process is set to present “Washington National Opera: Turandot” on Feb. 25, 2024 at 7 p.m. at Guggenheim’s Peter B. Lewis Theater in New York City. The event will provide an introduction for Washington National Opera’s new production of the Puccini classic with a new ending by composer Christopher Tin and playwright and screenwriter Susan Soon He Stanton. {…}
The Washington National Opera has announced the 11th season of American Opera Initiative, which includes three world premieres of 20-minute chamber operas. Scheduled for Jan. 19, 2024, audiences will hear “A Way Forward” by Laura Jobin-Acosta and José G. Alba Rodriguez. It stars Kresley Figueroa, Winona Martin, and Sergio Martínez and explores three generations of a Mexican family as they {…}
(Credit: Vimagazino/Nikos Kokkas) This week the Washington National Opera is set to present a new production of “Roméo et Juliette” with a cast of recognized singers, including rising star Adam Smith. Smith has gradually made a name for himself in the opera world with his passionate singing reminiscent of the golden age. The tenor has performed major roles in both {…}
The Washington National Opera will bring back its popular family opera tradition with “The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me,” a retelling of the nativity story. The cast is led by Cafritz Young Artist (CYA) graduate and Marian Anderson Vocal Award winner Soloman Howard, reprising his role as the Lion. Howard is joined by CYA members Kresley Figueroa as The Unicorn, {…}
In anticipation of the World Premiere of Jeanine Tessori and George Brant’s “Grounded,” the WNO is hosting a panel discussion at the Military Women’s Memorial on Oct. 23. The panel will include real female pilots whose experience is similar to the opera heroine, Jess. The evening opens with a performance by WNO Cafritz Young Artist alumna Hannah Shea, who will {…}
(Photo credit: Adrien Coquet) Dr. Caitlin Vincent (University of Melbourne) and Dr. Amanda Coles (Deakin University) have published their findings on the gender inequality and the impacts of non-standard work in the US opera industry. The team tracked women’s representation as conductors, directors, and designers at the 11 largest opera companies in the United States – the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe {…}
The Washington National Opera is set to open its 2023–2024 season with the world premiere of “Grounded.” The opera, which is set to be presented between Oct. 28–Nov.13, is composed by two-time Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori with a libretto adapted by George Brant from his eponymous play. The opera will be directed by Michael Mayer. “Grounded” tells the story {…}
The Washington National Opera is set to present “Opera in the Outfield” at the Nationals Park on Sept. 30, 2023. The event will be hosted by WNO General Director Timothy O’Leary and WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and will be sponsored by Mars. The event will feature family activities and pre-show performances at 5 p.m., followed by an outdoor broadcast {…}
The Washington National Opera has made two major appointments. The company announced that Chelsea Antrim Dennis would be its Director of Production, while Samuel Gelber would take on the role of Director of Artistic Planning and Operations. “We are excited to welcome Chelsea to the WNO and Kennedy Center families and to be continuing our collaboration with Sam in this {…}