Photo: Andy Henderson This review is of the premiere on Friday, July 26, 2024. Bard SummerScape Festival 2024 took a daring leap, presenting Giacomo Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophète” in a fully staged production. This opera is a rarity, and after sitting through it, I can see why. It’s probably best left on the fringes of the repertoire but shouldn’t be missed {…}
Steve Jobs forever changed the world of communications. The opera, “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs,” composed by Mason Bates with libretto by Mark Campbell, opened at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House and brought the story of how Jobs gave birth to the computer with panache. Although the opera’s premiere occurred in Santa Fe in 2017, and was the {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) The San Francisco Opera is set to present the Bay Area premiere of “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.” The opera, which is set to premiere on Sept. 22, is composed by Mason Bates with a libretto by Mark Campbell. Kevin Newbury will direct the production with Michael Christie leading the San Francisco Opera cast, Orchestra, and Chorus. {…}
The Central City Opera in Colorado has announced its 2023 season focusing on Shakespeare. “The 2023 Festival combines some of Shakespeare’s most beloved works with the intimate atmosphere of CCO’s gorgeous jewel-box opera house,” said Pamela A. Pantos, Central City Opera President and CEO. “The company’s return to presenting three mainstage productions this year is an opportunity for CCO’s audience {…}
The Utah Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring four productions. Ari Pelto conducts Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” production of Tomer Zvulun. Michael Chioldi, Wendy Bryn Harmer, Robert Stahley, and Tichina Vaughn. Performance Dates: Oct. 8-16, 2022 Stephanie Rhodes Russell conducts Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment.” Michael Shell directs with a cast that includes Madison Leonard, Jack Swanson, and Matthew Burns. Performance Dates: Jan. 14-22, 2023 {…}
Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa has announced its 50th anniversary season. It kicks off with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in a production directed by Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky. The work will star Aaron Blake, Audrey Luna, Andrew Wilkowske, and John Robert Lindsey. Performance Dates: March 5 & 6, 2022 Next up is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in a {…}
The Lyric Opera of Kansas City has announced its 2021-22 season featuring four productions. The season opens with “Lyric Opera Goes to Hollywood” which will feature famous arias and instrumental moments included in films like “Pretty Woman,” “Mission Impossible,” and “Up.” Talise Trevigne, Ginger Costa-Jackson, Limmie Pulliam, and Edward Parks will be the soloists with David Charles Abell conducting. Performance {…}
Austin Opera has announced its 2021-22 season which includes two productions and a deep dive into an iconic work by one of the greatest composers of all time. “Our next season reinforces the new identity of Austin Opera—we are programming a beautiful production of one of the most beloved and classic operas of all time, premiering a new production of {…}
We’re starting to see the world open up slowly in some countries and rapidly in others. But the performing arts world isn’t quite opening at the same pace with few organizations back in the full swing of things. As a result, streaming options are ever-prevalent. So as we move into the summer months, here is a look at what operas {…}
(Photos by Matthew Placek, Joan Marcus, and BreeAnne Clowdus) David Hyde Pierce will join forces with superstar singers Anthony Roth Costanzo and Jamie Barton to present “Opera Jukebox,” an interactive concert experience on May 30, 2020. Per a press release, each singer will offer up three selections for audience members to choose from. Roth Costanzo will offer up options from {…}
Over 100 singers came together for a video performance of “Light Shall Lift Us,” a work by librettist Mark Campbell and composer Paul Moravec. The duo, which has worked together on “The Shining” proposed the idea to Marc Scorca of Opera America, who embraced the idea and helped put together the 107 artists who would eventually record their individual parts {…}