The Saratoga Opera and UPH / Proctors Collaborative will host a free New Years Eve concert on Dec. 31, 2021 at Universal Preservation Hall. The showcase will be headlined by bass-baritone singer Zachary James and pianist Laurie Rogers. “This institution is delighted to offer a free concert to our community with the stature of these artists and because the richness {…}
The Cincinnati Opera has announced the 2022 Summer Festival which will include two world premieres and new-to-Cincinnati productions. The season will open with Puccini’s “La Bohème” starring Talise Trevigne, Ji-Min Park, Raven McMillon, Rodion Pogossov, André Courville, and Ethan Vincent. Mark Gibson, director of orchestral studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, will conduct. Performance Dates: June 18-25, {…}
This week audiences are in for two different opera recordings. One comes from the contemporary repertoire and the other comes from the classical period. Here is a look. Akhnaten The Metropolitan Opera releases its acclaimed production by Phelim McDermott on DVD, Blu-Ray, and CD on Philip Glass’ label Orange Mountain Music. The cast includes Anthony Roth Costanzo, J’Nai Bridges, Dísella {…}
Nashville Opera has announced its 2021 season, which will include three opera productions. First up will be Marcus Hummon’s “Favorite Son,” which will be performed at the Noah Liff Opera Center. The work will star Darrell Scott, John Riesen, and Emma Grimsley. Performance Dates: Jan. 21-23, 2022 Next up will be Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” which will star Aleksey Bogdanov, Sarah Coburn, {…}
This week audiences will get a chance to hear two solo albums from some of the most exciting artists in the industry, world premiere recordings, and a rarely performed opera, among others. Here is a look at the new releases: Élégie Sony Classical will release Georgian mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili’s second album. The new album will showcase Rachvelishvili in the song {…}
On July 8, 2021, opera and Broadway star Zachary James released his fourth album, titled “Impossible Dream.” The album comes in celebration of the return of live performances, as well as James’ role debut as Don Quixote in Opera Saratoga’s production of “Man of La Mancha.” The album also features singer/songwriter Bonnie Montgomery, and multi-string instrumentalist Frederick Poholek. The tracklist {…}
On Site Opera has announced that it would return to live performances this fall with “What Lies Beneath.” The showcase, which will take place between August 28- Sept. 2 at the ship Wavertree, is a vignette featuring music by such composers as Anthony Davis, Juliana Hall, Damien Geter, Benjamin Britten, E.M. Forester, John Ireland, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Performers include {…}
(Credit: Daniel Welch) Opera Saratoga has announced that it will be issuing free dress rehearsal tickets to healthcare and frontline workers for its upcoming production of “Man of La Mancha.” The dress rehearsal is slated for July 7. Tickets are on a first-come-first-served basis and must be reserved by Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at noon. “The team at Saratoga Hospital {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its next two weeks of nightly streams. The first week will center on operas featured in the “Aria Code” podcast. The second week will focus on reimagined settings of classic operas. Week 64 – Aria Code: The Operas Behind the Podcast Monday, May 31 – Puccini’s Turandot Starring Christine Goerke, Eleonora Buratto, Yusif Eyvazov, and James Morris, {…}
(Credit: Opera Saratoga official website) The Opera Saratoga has announced its return to the stage for the 60th Anniversary with a season of performances inspired by the iconic novel “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes. Here is the full slate. “Quixotic Opera” will spotlight Joel Balzun, Brad Bickhardt, Naomi Brigell, Lisa Buhelos, Lauren Cook, Blake Jennings, Marcus Lee, Titus Muzi, {…}
(Photo Credit: Kurt Weill Foundation) Kim H. Kowalke, the President of the Kurt Weill Foundation, has announced the finalists for the 2021 Lotte Lenya Competition. Fifteen performers will compete for top prizes of $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000. The following performers have made it to the finals: Gan-ya Ben-gur Akselrod, Max Chernin, Ty Chiko, Monica Dewey, Taylor-Alexis DuPont, Charles Eaton, Nicole {…}