The Virginia Opera has announced its 2020-21 season featuring four operas. Here is a look at the season. Adam Turner conducts Verdi’s “Rigoletto“ with Stephanie Havey directing. The cast will include Grant Youngblood in the title role, Alisa Jordheim as Gilda, Matthew Vickers as The Duke of Mantua, Joseph Barron as Sparafucile, and Leah Heater as Maddalena. Performance Dates: Oct. {…}
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 {…}
The Des Moines Metro Opera has announced a Virtual Festival. After the company announced it was canceling the 2020 edition due to the coronavirus pandemic, Des Moines Metro Opera revealed that it would show performances from previous festivals. The virtual festival kicks off with Massenet’s “Manon” starring Sydney Mancasola in the title role, Joseph Dennis, and Michael Adams. David Neely {…}
With the world in the grip of a pandemic that has shuttered opera houses around the globe, composers, librettists, directors, and singers are exploring new ways to connect with audiences and explore technology. With disruption comes innovation, and the spirit of invention took hold of composer Kamala Sankaram, librettist Rob Handel, and HERE Arts Center artistic director Kristin Marting, inspiring {…}
Credit: Spinto/Javier del Real/Nicola Allegri/Julian Hargraves/ Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical While the continued quarantine is undoubtedly becoming increasingly challenging for many, there is some relief in knowing that there is opera to check out on a daily basis. What’s more the offerings are becoming increasingly diverse in their range of repertory and content, which allows opera audiences to curate unique {…}
(Credit: Matt Madison-Clark) Renowned composer Kamala Sankaram has joined forces with librettist Rob Handel to create “all decisions will be made by consensus,” the first Zoom opera. The work is set to premiere via the streaming platform on April 24, 020 at 1 p.m. with subsequent showcases set for April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively. {…}
(Credit: Daniel Welch) Bass-baritone Zachary James will present a recital at Carnegie Hall dedicated to music by women on Nov. 30, 2020. Other performers on the recital include pianist Charity Wicks, baroque guitarist Brandon J. Acker, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, and soprano Megan Nielson. Ellen Jackson will direct the concert. Among the pieces featured on the program will be Juliana Hall’s {…}
Opera Omaha has announced its 2020-21 season featuring three productions with a number of rising stars. Here is a look: The season opens with Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” with conductor Steven White and Director Dean Anthony leading the production. The cast is set to include Vanessa Becerra as Susanna and Brian Vu as Figaro in his company debut, Annie {…}
On December 22, 2019, Talents of the World returned to Carnegie Hall for their second annual Christmas Ball. Featuring a program of opera, musical theatre, traditional songs, and holiday favorites, Sunday’s concert saw the company and guest artists delight the audience through irresistible renditions of beloved works. Drinking Songs & More Opening the concert was company president and baritone David {…}
On December 19, 2019, Talents of the World will be ringing in the holidays with their Christmas Festival at Carnegie Hall, treating audiences to an evening of opera, Broadway, and holiday favorites. Opening night will see the organization’s “All I Want for Christmas is Three Tenors!” concert, featuring tenors Giovanni Formisano, WooYoung Yoon, and John William Gomez, accompanied by pianists {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond / Met Opera) The Met Opera’s Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season continues this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 with a transmission of Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time and is set to end a little past 4 p.m. local time. It will star Anthony Roth Costanzo, Dísella Lárusdóttir, Aaron {…}