BWW Review: FIGARO is Brilliantly Married in St. Louis
by Steve Callahan - May 28, 2019
Opera Theatre of St. Louis has opened its 44th festival season. This is St. Louis' prized centerpiece of opera, with a world-wide reputation. It is famous for its superb productions. The company's home is the beautiful and comfortable 763-seat Browning Theatre at Webster University. Gourmet picnic suppers may be enjoyed before the show on the lovely grounds of the theater. All operas are performed in English with super-titles.
Accomplished Vocalist Hannah Laird Debuts Cabaret at Winter Park Playhouse in June
by Sarah Hookey - May 23, 2019
Hannah Laird has graced many theatre stages in the Central Florida area, but will debut her brand new cabaret, Out of My Dreams, as she takes the stage in The Spotlight Cabaret Series at the Winter Park Playhouse June 26 and 27, 2019. Playhouse Musical Director Christopher Leavy will accompany on piano.
35th Anniversary GHOSTBUSTERS Original Motion Picture Score Available Digitally For The First Time 6/7
by Tori Hartshorn - May 16, 2019
In honor of the 35th anniversary of Ghostbusters' 1984 theatrical debut, Sony Music announces a special reissue of 'GHOSTBUSTERS (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SCORE)' with music by legendary film composer ELMER BERNSTEIN (The Magnificent Seven, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Age of Innocence). Available now to preorder, the anniversary edition arrives in digital formats for the very first time (in both standard and hi resolutions) and on CD Friday, June 7 and on vinyl Friday, July 19. The collection features music from the iconic blockbuster, newly mixed and remastered from the score's original multi-tracks, as well as new artwork, commentary from Elmer Bernstein's son, Peter, and four previously unreleased tracks.
Portland Opera Presents Rossini's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
by A.A. Cristi - May 9, 2019
Portland Opera is thrilled to bring its production of Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville to the stage this June. Considered one of the greatest comic operas of all time, Rossini's opera tells the story of the Count Almaviva, who has fallen for the charming Rosina, and enlists the help of the town barber Figaro to assist in winning her affection. Together they try to outwit her guardian Dr. Bartolo, who also vies for her hand.
Casting Announced For Stages St. Louis' 2019 Season
by Julie Musbach - Apr 25, 2019
STAGES St. Louis is thrilled to announce casting for its 33rd Season: THE BOY FROM OZ, GREASE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and its Emerson Family Theatre Series production of Disney's 101 DALMATIANS. 'The tagline at STAGES is 'Experience The Story' and our 2019 Season stays true to these words offering something special for everyone,' expresses Associate Producer Andrew Kuhlman.
Florentine Opera Company Announces 2019-2020 Season Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 17, 2019
The Florentine Opera Company proudly announces its first season under the leadership of new General Director and CEO Maggey Oplinger. The 2019-2020 season explores themes of love, power, and destruction through timeless classics and fresh repertoire, and will feature a diverse range of artists, directors, and designers, both familiar and new to Milwaukee.
Opera Colorado Closes Season With Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2019
Opera Colorado closes its triumphant 2018-19 season with a lavish production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, an opera frequently lauded as the pinnacle of the art form. The Marriage of Figaro opens Saturday, May 4, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in downtown Denver, with additional performances on May 7, 10, and 12.
UMS Announces Upcoming Season - Yo-Yo Ma, SWAN LAKE, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 11, 2019
The University Musical Society (UMS) announces its 141st season, which runs from September 2019 through April 2020. One of the most acclaimed and innovative performing art presenters in the nation and a 2014 recipient of the National Medal of Arts, UMS will continue to showcase time-honored ensembles and artists alongside a diverse lineup of young performers who push the boundaries of their art forms in new directions. In addition to presenting world-class performances, UMS is also committed to creating unique and engaging ways for audiences to connect with the artists on stage through a robust offering of education and community engagement activities.
Sarasota Youth Opera Summer Camp Registration Underway Through May 10th
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 3, 2019
Sarasota Youth Opera's annual Summer Camp engages young people in the magic of opera with sessions in singing, acting, props, wigs, make-up, and costumes, all led by professional singers, artists, directors, musicians, and technicians. Summer Camp sessions will take place from 10am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, between June 10-28, with an option of one, two, or three week sessions, at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple, Sarasota, FL 34236. Tuition is based on age and session, with options for pre and post care available. Tuition assistance is also available.
Berkeley Rep Announces Full Cast For John Leguizamo's World Premiere Musical KISS MY AZTEC
by Alan Henry - Mar 29, 2019
Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast for the world premiere of Kiss My Aztec! John Leguizamo teams up with Artistic Director Tony Taccone for this musical comedy, following their collaboration on the hit one-man show Latin History for Morons, which received its world premiere at Berkeley Rep before heading to Broadway. Leguizamo will serve as co-writer and co-lyricist only for Kiss My Aztec! - 11 other talented actors will perform in this production. Taccone will also direct.
Vancouver Opera Announces Full Festival Program
by Julie Musbach - Mar 28, 2019
For the third edition of its annual Festival presented by BMO, Vancouver Opera has curated nine days of voice, music, theatre and visual arts for the curious of all ages.
North Carolina Opera Announces 2019-20 Season
by Julie Musbach - Mar 28, 2019
North Carolina Opera has announced the company's 2019-20 season, which includes fully-staged productions of Mozart's The Magic Flute (Apr. 3 & 5, 2020) and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci (Jan. 24 & 26, 2020), a concert performance of Act III from Wagner's Siegfried (Nov. 10, 2019), and a vocal recital by superstar tenor Lawrence Brownlee (Feb. 18, 2020). The announcement was made by the company's General Director Eric Mitchko at the 2019-20 Season Reveal, which was held on Tuesday, March 26 at CAM Raleigh and graciously sponsored by the Meredith College Department of Music, CITRIX, Mitchell's, Queen of Wines, Savills, Glenwood Agency Real Estate, and Hibernian Pub.
Gary From HR Presents GARYOKE At The Magnet Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 27, 2019
Now on their 3rd season at the Magnet Theater, the sketch comedy team Gary from HR presents their special, ONE-NIGHT ONLY musical sketch showcase GARYOKE. Gary from HR combined original music and song parodies to bring audiences a fun musical sketch show filled with singing, dancing, and comedy. Featuring songs and sketches parodying 9 to 5, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, The Marriage of Figaro, A Star is Born and more.
Jaime Martín Conducts West Coast Premiere Of VOY A DORMIR
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 25, 2019
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) Music Director Designate Jaime Martin makes his only appearance this season on LACO's Orchestral Series when he conducts the West Coast premiere of the LACO-co-commissioned song cycle Voy a Dormir by Bryce Dessner, known to many as a guitarist with Grammy Award-winning alternative rock band The National and one of the most sought-after composers of his generation, on Saturday, April 27, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre, and Sunday, April 28, 2019, 7 pm, at Royce Hall. Dessner's work was written for and features Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor, who is also spotlighted in Mozart's Requiem with soprano Sarah Shafer, tenor Thomas Cooley, bass Dashon Burton and the USC Thornton Chamber Singers. Martin begins his tenure with LACO in the 2019-20 season.
BWW Interview: Ginger Costa-Jackson of San Diego Opera's CARMEN at San Diego Civic Center
by Ron Bierman - Mar 24, 2019
Since 2011 Mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson has sung the title role in 12 different productions of Bizet's Carmen. She will star in yet another this month for San Diego Opera. From here it's on to rehearsals for nine performances of Bizet's masterwork at Seattle Opera. Is the singer tiring of Carmen? Not even close. She loves the character's sense of freedom and empowerment, and works with each new director to make her performance even more convincing.
Brooklyn's AOP To Select Composers, Librettists For Two Years Of Free Training In The Fundamentals Of Opera
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2019
American Opera Projects (AOP) announces the return of its popular Composers & the Voice program for its 2019-21 seasons. Created and led by Composers & the Voice Artistic Director Steven Osgood, six composers and up to three librettists will be selected for two-year fellowships to learn the fundamentals of writing for the voice and opera stage. Workshop sessions with professional opera singers, mentors, and instructors are held at AOP's home base in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Applications and complete information will be available beginning March 18 at www.aopopera.org/composers_voice. The deadline for applications is April 26 with fellowships announced by July 16.