Off the Beaten Track is an album review series that takes readers on a cross-disciplinary journey through recently released recordings, spotlighting the cool, the unusual, and the beautiful work created by artists who push boundaries and take the road less traveled. What was Zachary James thinking? Amid a raging pandemic, the star of stage and screen embarked on a wild, {…}
Zachary James’ new visual album CALL OUT has received accolades from over 10 international film festivals. The new album has received the award for “Best Soundtrack” at the Halicarnassus Film Festival and “Best Musical” at the Istanbul Film Awards. Additionally, it has been screened at the Chicago Indie Film Awards, Košice International Film Festival, International Folklore Film Festival, and L’Age {…}
It’s the final week of 2020, which means that this will be the final edition of CD / DVD releases for the year. And as expected, with the holiday season now a memory, there aren’t as many releases to go around. But at least one artist is going out strong with the release of his first visual album. Here is a {…}
Zachary James has released the second single to his upcoming visual album “Call Out.” The new single by award-winning singer/songwriter Bonnie Montgomery is entitled “Song Beyond Words, a Vocalise” and is now available on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. The new song features piano, steel guitar, baritone, and soprano. James recorded the song alongside soprano Megan Nielson and it marks {…}
Broadway, opera, and television star Zachary James has released an original video capture of Edgar Allen Poe’s famous poem, “The Raven.” James’ collaborator, multi-genre composer Kristin Hevner, penned a lush and haunting cinematic score for the bass-baritone’s portrayal of the tortured poet, lending wonderful ambiance as the audience takes a visual trip through Poe’s masterpiece. Dressed in mid-19th-century garb and {…}
Talents of the World has announced the lineup for its 3rd International Music Festival. Normally held at Carnegie Hall, this year’s festival will instead be presented virtually, and will feature a number of renowned and emerging artists. The festival will open on December 12 with “Classical Christmas with the Stars,” a program of arias, duets, and ensemble numbers that celebrate {…}
With election day in full swing, opera singers have also added their voices advocating for Americans to vote. Many have been vocal about their support for the Democratic candidates, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, including Christine Goerke, Jamie Barton, Lawrence Brownlee, Leonardo Capalbo, Zachary James, Greer Grimsley, Karen Slack, Breanna Sinclaire, Jennifer Rowley, Elizabeth Deshong, and Kenneth Overton, among many {…}
Star opera and Broadway performer, Zachary James, announced the December release of his debut visual album, “CALL OUT.” The album showcases the new compositions of 11 female composers with text ranging from Twitter to Edgar Allan Poe. The visual album takes its cue from innovative predecessors such as The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” and “Hard Days Night,” Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” {…}
(Credits: Roni Ely/Matt Madison Clark) In response to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns, Opera Omaha has made some necessary changes to the 2020-21 season in order to ensure the safety of the audiences and the safety of its artists and staff. The season will open with a production of Mozart and Da Ponte’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Mary Feminear will appear {…}
The state of the 2020-21 season is becoming clearer with each passing week, indicating that opera stream could very well remain at the forefront for the foreseeable future. So here are our top 10 operas to stream this week. And just a reminder to not forget to check out important discussions taking place regarding issues of race and equality in {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced Weeks 13 and 14 of its nightly streams. The streams will include music by Mozart, Bartok, Rossini, Handel, Verdi, and Glass. Also, audiences will get a chance to check out the At Home Gala once again. Monday, June 8 – Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito Conducted by Harry Bicket; starring Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elīna Garanča, {…}