Guildford Fringe Festival Returns Next Month
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2024
Guildford Fringe Festival, which is now in its 11th year, will return for a three-week run of theatre, comedy, spoken word, music, cabaret and family-friendly shows from 29 June to 20 July 2024, all at accessible prices and with some top free entertainment on the bill.
Review: SAN DIEGO OPERA'S MADAMA BUTTERFLY at San Diego Civic Center
by Ron Bierman - May 3, 2024
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is one of the most popular operas ever written. It has a wonderfully lyrical score, familiar arias and a story that remains compelling even after often heard. San Diego Opera’s most recent production played to a full house on opening night, and under the direction of Jose Maria Condemi the well-chosen cast delivered a performance with impressive emotional depth. Corinne Winters’s convincing portrayal of the naïve 15-year-old Cio-Cio-San brought bravas and enthusiastic applause at curtain call. But her portrayal of innocence exploited meant both bravos and boos over extended applause for tenor Adam Smith’s convincing version of her heartless seducer, Lieutenant Pinkerton.
Set in the World of Haute Couture, BIZET'S CARMEN Opens at Theatro Municipal de Sao Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - May 1, 2024
The passionate work, which entered the canon and the hearts of the public due to its protagonist's transgression and the unforgettable Habanera aria, is set in a haute couture atelier with the signature of a specialist in the theme, director Jorge Takla, Ronaldo Zero as associate diretor and musical direction by Roberto Minczuk.
Interview: How to Make a Cad"BUTTERFLY's Pinkerton"Appealing, According to Jonathan Tetelman
by Richard Sasanow - Apr 26, 2024
It’s a big season at the Met for tenor Jonathan Tetelman—born in Chile, raised in New Jersey—and he’s taking every advantage of it. He’s come to town with a reputation as a Puccini specialist (not that there’s anything wrong with that). How does he feel about that?
“Well, I basically built my voice on Puccini repertoire. I’ve taken it as a gift because he’s a great writer for my voice.” His debut at the Met in March was in LA RONDINE but he’s looking forward to showing off more of his dramatic chops with Pinkerton in MADAMA BUTTERFLY, starting this week, because there’s more 'there' there.
Review: TURANDOT at Belk Theater
by Perry Tannenbaum - Apr 22, 2024
Yes, a grand opera was inserted at Belk Theater as the clock or calendar was winding down! Around the world, Callas, Nilsson, and Sutherland are among the divas who have graced the powerhouse role of TURANDOT, and Franco Zeffirelli's production at the Met is as revered for its stateliness and splendor as the Notre Dame Cathedral. Grand? Monumental.
Interview: Theatre Life with Katherine Goforth
by Elliot Lanes - Apr 19, 2024
Today’s subject Katherine Goforth is someone who can definitely be called a breakthrough artist to be sure. She is the inaugural recipient of Washington National Opera’s True Voice Award for transgender and non-binary singers. She will be making her Kennedy Center debut on May first at 6:00pm with a recital on Millenium Stage.
Summer Programming Set For 2024 Bryant Park Picnic Performances
by Stephi Wild - Apr 16, 2024
Bryant Park has announced the 2024 lineup for its free summer performing arts series, Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America. The annual festival will feature 25 live music, dance, and theater events between May 31 and September 13.
COCAINE BEAR: The Opera Comes to Orlando Fringe Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Apr 15, 2024
If a bear does cocaine in the woods, does anyone hear him? Inspired by a movie which was inspired by a true story, Cocaine Bear: The Opera is a story about what happens when a bear ingests cocaine, and everyone sings about it. The notes are high and so is the bear.
Review: MASTER CLASS at Theatre Memphis
by Kevin Shaw - Apr 12, 2024
For opera lovers around the world, Maria Callas was a gigantic figure well known for her unusual and daring performances. She was a singer who ruled the classical musical world for a large part of the 20th century and left an indelible mark with her talent and her larger-than-life personality.
Video: Get A First Look At LA Opera's LA TRAVIATA
by Joshua Wright - Apr 8, 2024
Get a first look at LA Opera's production of Giuseppe Verdi's beloved romantic tragedy, La Traviata, starring soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen - now on stage through April 27th, 2024.
Review: Fine Singing Makes RONDINE Easy to Swallow under Scappucci
by Richard Sasanow - Mar 30, 2024
The first night of the Met’s revival of Puccini’s LA RONDINE (THE SWALLOW) was filled with surprises of one sort or another, under the baton of that smart conductor, Speranza Scappucci. She knows her way around Puccini and deserves to be heard more frequently at the house. The production had glamour through Art Deco-ish scenic design by Ezio Frigerio, with lighting by Duana Schuler and costumes by Franca Squarciapino.
Olivier Award-Winner Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells Will Lead TAMMY FAYE
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 22, 2024
Initial casting has been announced for the Broadway production of the acclaimed musical TAMMY FAYE. Two-time Olivier Award winner Katie Brayben will recreate her Olivier Award-winning performance as Tammy Faye Bakker, and Tony Award nominee Andrew Rannells will reprise his Olivier-nominated performance as Jim Bakker. TAMMY FAYE will begin preview performances on October 19th and will officially open on November 14th, 2024 at Broadway's Palace Theater.