BWW Feature: ONLINE VIRTUAL OPERA TOUR at Home Computer Screens
by Maria Nockin - May 22, 2021
Our Magic Opera Flying Carpet Virtual Tour begins in Los Angeles with the Signature Recital by tenor Russell Thomas and pianist Kyung-Mi Kim. A native of Miami, Florida, Thomas debuted as Pollione in LA Opera’s Norma. He sang Cavaradossi in Tosca and Titus in The Clemency of Titus . Next year, he will be Radames in Aida. Currently, he is the company's Artist in Residence.
Seattle Opera Announces 2021/22 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 12, 2021
After more than a year without live, in-person performances due to COVID-19, Seattle Opera will officially return to the theater this fall with its 2021/22 Season. Offerings include immortal favorites (La bohème, The Marriage of Figaro), historic works with a modern twist (Orpheus and Eurydice), plus an award-winning piece speaking to racial injustice in America (Blue).
Arizona Opera Announces Return To In-Theater Performances For Its 2021/22 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2021
Arizona Opera has announced its 2021/22 Season—its 50th Anniversary Season—which will feature an exciting and diverse programming schedule of five productions, including the release of the company’s first world premiere film and four planned in-theater productions in both Phoenix and Tucson.
Melbourne Opera Presents Giuseppe Verdi's MACBETH
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 21, 2021
Following the sell-out success of Wagner's epic Das Rheingold at The Regent in February, Melbourne Opera will stage an inspired new production of Giuseppe Verdi's thrilling Macbeth at Her Majesty's Theatre from 18 May.
Kentucky Opera Announces Brown-Forman 2021/22 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2021
Kentucky Opera has announced its Brown-Forman 2021/22 season highlighting community and artistic partners, as well as key themes of Faith, Justice and Family that resonated throughout Kentucky Opera’s 2020/21 virtual season.
San Diego Opera Announces Live, Drive-In, Spring Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 6, 2021
Inspired by the success from their safe drive-in performances of La bohème in the Fall, which heralded the return of live, in-person, opera to San Diego County since the start of the pandemic, San Diego Opera has announced a Spring season of safe, socially-distanced, drive-in performances.
Finborough Theatre Presents PLAYFIGHT Online
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2021
A rehearsed reading of the Finborough Theatre's 2020 ETPEP Award-winning play, Playfight by Julia Grogan, directed by acclaimed director Blanche McIntyre is now available on the Finborough Theatre YouTube channel for one week as part of #FinboroughForFree.
BWW Interview: Emily Fons of San Diego Opera's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE at Pechanga Arena
by Ron Bierman - Mar 31, 2021
As I write this, mezzo soprano Emily Fons is driving from her home in Milwaukee to San Diego to rehearse the role of Rosina, the wife of roving-eyed count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville by Rossini. Three years ago Fons sang Cherubino here in the related comic opera The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. The switch to the count's wife from Mozart's Cherubino, a 15-year-old boy and randy rival of the philandering count, is an indication of the mezzo's acting and vocal versatility. I discovered when we met via Zoom (what else?) that her adventurous openness to new roles is typical of the mezzo's approach to life.
Cincinnati Opera Announces Reimagined 2021 Summer Festival SUMMER AT SUMMIT
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2021
Cincinnati Opera will return to the outdoors for its reimagined 2021 Summer Festival, Summer at Summit. The season will take place July 11-31 at Summit Park, located in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio, and will feature internationally renowned artists, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Houston Grand Opera Announces Next Season's 2021"22 HGO Studio Artists
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 23, 2021
Houston Grand Opera has announced the three new singers and nine returning artists who will train with the HGO Studio for 2021–22. The HGO Studio provides comprehensive career development to young singers and pianist/coaches who have demonstrated potential to make major contributions to the artform.
Utah Opera Announces 2021-22 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2021
Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth today announced Utah Opera’s 2021-22 season, sponsored by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. In its upcoming season, Utah Opera presents four full-scale opera productions with live performances at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre.
Eva And Marc Stern Establish New Award To Honor Excellence Among LA Opera's Family Of Artists
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 10, 2021
LA Opera board chairman Marc Stern and his wife Eva have established an annual $50,000 award to celebrate and support extraordinarily gifted artists in opera: the Eva and Marc Stern Artist Award. The new award will recognize artists with deep connections to LA Opera and will serve as an expression of gratitude for past and future artistic contributions to the company.
BWW Interview: Ryan McKinny of ORFANO MONDO at Atlanta Opera
by Josephine Tuso-Key - Mar 11, 2021
They say necessity is the mother of invention. This is especially true for artisans during the pandemic. One of the oldest art forms, opera, like so many other art forms has shifted and evolved as a result of the current climate. Atlanta Opera is no exception. When you go to their webpage, you’ll find a new widget at the top labeled STREAM. Once you click on that, you’ll see a drop-down: WHAT’S ON. Click on that, and you’ll find Orfano Mundo, a visual and auditory treat. For only $15 a month or $99 a year, patrons will have all access to ATL Opera’s streaming service.
New Programming Added to Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2020/21 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2021
Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced additional programs to add to the variety of offerings in its reimagined 2020/21 Season. These include a concert honoring Sir Andrew Davis; a new approach to the annual Rising Stars in Concert by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and more.
BWW Review: BOULDER OPERA THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO at Home Computer Screens
by Maria Nockin - Mar 8, 2021
On Sunday afternoon March 7, 2021, The Boulder Opera Company of Colorado presented Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro to audiences in the theater and online. Stage Director Michael Travis Risner set the time in the present. He provided the necessities required by the story and allowed the cast to provide considerable amusement.
VIDEO: Alexander Mendoza and Claire Lyon Release New Single, 'Home'
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2021
Originally written by Maury Yeston, 'Home' is from Yeston & Kopit's Phantom: The American Musical Sensation. Mendoza and Lyon recorded from Los Angeles and Melbourne, respectively, and the song was produced by James Thompson of The Writing Room (Kaleena Zanders, Disney World, Showtime) and mastered by Latin Grammy winner Dale Becker of Becker Mastering (Chloe X Halle, Khalid, Adam Lambert).