Review: John Adams's EL NINO Finally Arrives at the Met After World Travels
Back in December, I saw the chamber version of John Adams’s EL NINO—dubbed EL NINO: NATIVITY RECONSIDERED—at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Pared down to its essence, it was wonderful, starred two of the singers who made their debuts in the premiere at the Met, soprano Julia Bullock and bass-baritone Davone Tines plus countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who were at their best. It was a somber evening in a dramatic setting—a far cry from the oratorio/opera’s over-the-top welcome to Lincoln Center last night, in Lileana Blain-Cruz’s production that made me wonder what Franco Zeffirelli might have done with it. Think the Parisian throngs in Act II of the Met’s LA BOHEME (which, of course, is one of the Met’s most popular productions with audiences).
Cast & Creative Team Announced For World Premiere Of Dave Malloy's THREE HOUSES
Signature Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere production of Dave Malloy's Three Houses, directed and choreographed by Annie Tippe. The musical will feature J.D. Mollison, Mia Pak, Margo Seibert, Henry Stram, Scott Stangland, and Ching Valdes-Aran. Performances begin on April 30, 2024.
The Royal Conservatory Announces 2021/22 Concert Season
Dr. Peter Simon, Michael and Sonja Koerner President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, and James Anagnoson, Dean of The Glenn Gould School, today revealed details of the diverse concerts that will make up the 13th concert season at The Royal Conservatory of Music.
BWW Feature: ONLINE VIRTUAL OPERA TOUR at Home Computer Screens
In the video, Gallup/Na'nízhoozhí, Anthony Roth Costanzo and Davone Tines sing music by Matthew Aucoin written to poetry by Jake Skeets. Lowe and Skeets are both Navajo artists. Skeets, who grew up in Gallup, gives his hometown a leading role in his poetry. Lowe's film is an unflinching yet tender portrait of the city in 2021.
Vocal Arts DC Presents Davóne Tines and Adam Nielsen in RECITAL NO. 1: MASS
On January 21st, Vocal Arts DC presents Davóne Tines in virtual concert with pianist Adam Nielsen in a program titled, “Recital No. 1: Mass”. The performance, which uses the Catholic mass to explore the diversity of the human experience, will feature world premiere works by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Caroline Shaw along with Tyshawn Sorely.
Songstress & Storyteller Sapphire Hart Releases New Single 'Toxic Love Story' Out Now!
Love. Most of us fortunate enough to experience it, are too familiar with its intoxicating highs and soaring lows. One day it's smooth and steady while the next cloudy and confusing. Inspired by the struggles of love with a raw glimpse into a relationship fraught with infidelity issues, soulful storyteller Sapphire Hart is set to release 'Toxic Love Story', her most honest single to date, out Friday, November 13th.
The Royal Conservatory Of Music's 2020-21 Concert Season Announced
Dr. Peter Simon, Michael and Sonja Koerner President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts, and James Anagnoson, Dean of The Glenn Gould School, today revealed details of the diverse concerts that will make up the 12th concert season at The Royal Conservatory of Music.
BWW Review: THE BLACK CLOWN at Mostly Mozart Festival
THE BLACK CLOWN, as envisioned by Langston Hughes, is a metaphor for the Afro-American as a figure of entertainment in a white world. It is also a series of verses by Hughes. In this performance piece devised by Davone Tines and Michael Schachter, the clown is examined though the lens of history and given life in a series of impressive vignettes, employing song, acting, and dance. An eclectic mix of music is heard, mainly soul, gospel, Black choral, and spiritual. Various verses of the poem, which is lengthy, are brought to life by the extremely talented performers; some examples follow:
BWW Interview: No Clowning Around for Bass-Baritone Davone Tines in Mostly Mozart's THE BLACK CLOWN
The first time I heard bass-baritone Davone Tinesa--he off the sensual, resonant voice and startlingly vivid stage presence--it was in Handel's ACI, GALATEA E POLIFEMO (described as a spectacular, streamlined, Cliff-Notes version of a Handel opera), at Brooklyn's National Sawdust. Tines wowed me and I thought that I wanted to hear more of him. He opens July 24, 2019 at Mostly Mozart in THE BLACK CLOWN at the Gerald Lynch Theatre of John Jay College, near Lincoln Center.
Jennifer Koh Premieres Suite From THE 38TH PARALLEL
On Monday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m., days after the release of her new, all-Saariaho album, violinist Jennifer Koh includes the composer's works on a program at Advent Lutheran Church headlined by the first-ever performance of music from The 38th Parallel, Ms. Koh's new collaboration with composer / multimedia artist Jean-Baptiste Barriere. The project, to receive its full premiere at a later date, explores their shared connections to the Koreas-Ms. Koh through her emigre parents, and Mr. Barriere through his grandmother's Korean partner, whom he considered his grandfather. Ms. Koh is joined in the suite by Davone Tines (bass-baritone), Camilla Hoitenga (flute), Aaron Wunsch (piano), and Mr. Barriere (electronics). In addition to the music of Kaija Saariaho and Mr. Barriere, works by J.S. Bach are included on the program.
BWW Review: THE BLACK CLOWN World Premiere at A.R.T.
World premiere musical theater piece adapted by Davone Tines and Michael Schachter from 1931 Langston Hughes poem, 'The Black Clown.' Dramatic monologue with orchestral accompaniment is part elegy, part declaration of independence, and part celebration which resonates in 2018 America. Tines gives a full-throated performance as the titular character with support from a twelve-person ensemble of singularly-talented singers and dancers.