West Edge Opera has announced that their 2022 summer festival will be held at The Scottish Rite Center in Oakland, California. The move will mark the company’s return to performances held at unconventional, historically-rich spaces. Designed in 1927 by Carl Werner, the building was remodeled in 1939 and is located across from Lake Chalet. The venue will allow the company {…}
West Edge Opera is set to present “Snapshots” on April 9 and 10, 2022. The showcase, which will be a co-presentation with Earplay Chamber Music Ensemble, will feature five new operas including Cesar Cancino and Scott DeTurk’s “The Dark Horse;” Michael Kaulkin’s “Lilith;” Gabrielle Rosse’s “Cristina Doesn’t Need Saving;” Jean Ahn’s “Remembrance;” and Ryan Suleiman and Cristina Friès’ “The School {…}
West Edge Opera has announced the continuation of its Aperture’s residency program. Starting on November 1, 2021, subscribing audiences can watch composer and librettists further their latest works, as well as receive progress reports on all projects supported by their contributions. Composer and librettist Nicolas Lell Benavides and Marella Martin Koch will return following a successful commission for their new {…}
West Edge Opera has announced the commission of “Dolores” by Nicolas Lell Benavides and Marella Martin Koch. The new opera, which explores the story of famed activist Dolores Huerta and the 24 hours that followed the assassination of Bobby Kennedy in Los Angeles, was the winner among eight finalists that participated in the company’s “Aperture” program over the past eight {…}
West Edge Opera has announced that it will be adding an additional live performance of “Snapshot” on May 16, 2021, at 4 p.m. There is another performance set for May 15. The showcase, which is part of the Snapshot series collaboration between West Edge Opera and Earplay, will feature several short operas by a number of unique artists. Among the {…}
West Edge Opera in Berkeley, California has announced its 2021 festival. The festival opens with Janacek’s “Katya Kabanova.” Jonathan Khuner conducts a new production directed by Indra Viskontas. The opera will star soprano Carrie Hennessey, tenor Christopher Oglesby, soprano Kristin Clayton, mezzo-soprano Sarah Coit, tenor Alex Boyer, Philip Skinner, and Chad Somors. Performance Date: July 24-August 5, 2021 The company {…}
West Edge Opera has announced the finalists for its Aperture Online Residency. Out of a total of 22 semi-finalists, a total of eight proposals by composer/librettist teams were selected to move on to the final round. This final round includes two “Sprints,” in which four creative teams will develop their projects and submit weekly videos to update subscribers on their {…}
West Edge Opera has announced multiple performance options slated for March 2021. “Snapshot” is a collaboration project between West Edge Opera and Earplay dedicated to presenting new operas from West Coast composers and librettists. The 2021 Edition of Snapshot will feature works from Nathaniel Stookey, Mark Campbell, Anne LeBaron, Noah Fram, Guang Yang, Paula Cizmar, Marella Martin Koch, Tyler J. {…}
West Edge Opera has announced the 22 projects which have qualified for the first round of Aperture, the company’s online program that helps create new works of opera and musical theater. From these works, three will be selected for a three-month residency in 2021, with the winning work receiving a $60,000 commission and a concert production in 2022. Aperture subscribers {…}
West Edge Opera has unveiled “Aperture,” a new online platform to create new opera and music. The program will provide new opportunities for composer/librettist teams with each group receiving commissions of $60,000 and a life performance of the new work when it is safe to gather once again. Those who subscribe to Aperture will receive two weekly emails updating them {…}
West Edge Opera is set to showcase its 2020 Snapshot alongside the Earplay New Chamber Music Ensemble this winter. The event, set for Jan. 31, 2020 at Ed Roberts Campus and Feb. 1, 2020 at the Taube Atrium Theater, both in Berkeley, California, will feature a wide range of music inspired by rainforests of South America, the Han Dynasty of {…}