James Conlon News

Grammy Award-winning mezzo Susan Graham launches her 2018-19 season in the company of Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with whom she reprises her celebrated account of Mahler's Third Symphony on a high-profile European tour that kicks off at London's BBC Proms and takes in Berlin, Leipzig, Vienna, Lucerne, and Paris. Back in the States, she makes her role debut as the Witch in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel at LA Opera, returns to Carnegie Hall for Mozart and Haydn with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, revisits her signature interpretations of two great French orchestral song cycles, singing Chausson with the Naples Philharmonic and Berlioz with the Houston Symphony, and gives solo recitals in California and Illinois.

In April 2018, the New World Symphony joined The Sphinx Organization and the League of American Orchestras in announcing their new partnership, the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), which is a field-wide initiative with the long-term goal of increasing diversity in American orchestras. Supported by a four-year, $1.8 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Alliance offers a holistic and personalized array of support to Black and Latinx musicians to develop their audition skills, increase their participation in auditions, and ultimately, increase their representation in orchestras.

The Dallas Opera is proud to announce the names of the twelve distinguished professionals (six conductors, two administrators, and four observers) selected to participate in the fourth annual residency of the Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera taking place Oct. 28 - Nov. 10, 2018 in Dallas, Texas:

Back by popular demand, LA Opera's fifth season of annual live simulcasts-Opera in the Park and Opera at the Beach-will continue at two locations this year. At 6pm on September 22, 2018, LA Opera's season-opening performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Don Carlo will be transmitted live in high-definition video from nine cameras at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to large LED screens at El Cariso Community Regional Park (13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar CA 91342) and at Santa Monica Pier (200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 90401). The performance stars Placido Domingo, the company's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, as Rodrigo, and will be conducted by James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director.

With audiences growing and reviews overwhelmingly positive, the Basque National Orchestra has extended - after only one year - Robert Trevino's tenure as Music Director. The fast-rising American conductor made an immediate impression upon his arrival and forged a strong partnership with the orchestra's General Manager Oriol Roch. The new contract will see Trevino as the orchestra's artistic leader until the 2021/22 season.

Placido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, announced today that he has chosen the performers who will join LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program in the 2018/19 season. The artists were chosen from 650 applicants, 200 live auditions and, ultimately, 28 final candidates. The finalists auditioned in April for a panel led by Mr. Domingo that included Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and CEO Christopher Koelsch, the program's Artistic Advisor Susan Graham and Artistic Administrator Samuel Gelber, along with Stephen King, head of vocal instruction for the program, and Nino Sanikidze, head coach for the program.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association today announced the following updates to the 2018/19 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall.  

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series and Mark Cortale are pleased to present Christine Ebersole with Seth Rudetsky as pianist and host. The one-night-only event takes place Monday, July 30, 2018 at 6:30pm in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted).

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson announced that the company's 2018 Summer Festival will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theatre in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26 through July 15 at venues throughout the region.

After a national search, Florida Grand Opera (FGO) has chosen three new singers for the 2018-19 FGO Studio. One of the most respected and highly competitive studio programs in the nation, the FGO Studio, led by Artistic Directors Diana Soviero and Bernard Uzan, provides comprehensive career development to emerging artists who have demonstrated potential to make major contributions to the field of opera

Brooklyn Music School (BMS) offers a free Masterclass with Concert Pianist George Lepauw on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 6:30pm - 8pm at the Brooklyn Music School, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY. Registration is free and is available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/master-class-with-concert-pianist-george-lepauw-tickets-43949276469.

Brooklyn Music School (BMS) offers a free Masterclass with Concert Pianist George Lepauw on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 6:30pm - 8pm at the Brooklyn Music School, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY. Registration is free and is available HERE!

Brooklyn Music School (BMS) offers a free Masterclass with Concert Pianist George Lepauw on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 6:30pm - 8pm at the Brooklyn Music School, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY.

The Atlanta Opera continues its mainstage season with Georges Bizet's Carmen, perhaps the best-loved opera of all time.

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson announced the complete casting and programming for the company's 2018 Summer Festival, which will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26th through July 15th at venues throughout the region. Single tickets, as well as subscription packages, are on sale now at www.operasaratoga.org.

On Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Zankel Hall, acclaimed American tenor Lawrence Brownlee presents the New York premiere of Cycles of My Being, a new song cycle composed by Tyshawn Sorey with lyrics by Terrance Hayes that explores the realities of life as a black man in America. Brownlee—hailed as one of “the world's leading bel canto tenors” by the Associated Press—is conducted by composer Tyshawn Sorey and joined by violinist Randall Goosby, cellist Khari Joyner, clarinetist Alexander Laing, and pianist Kevin Miller for Cycles of My Being, which is co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall as part of the Hall's 125 Commissions Project. The program opens with Schumann's Dichterliebe, to be performed alongside pianist Myra Huang.

Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), one of the nation's leading treble choirs, honors Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, currently serving her final year with LACC after leading the organization with distinction for 22 years, at "Gala Bel Canto" on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 6 pm, at Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The celebration features musical tributes by some 200 singers from five LACC ensembles, as well as a three-course dinner, fine wines and a live auction. John Horn, host of KPCC's "The Frame," is Master of Ceremonies and Los Angeles Master Chorale Artistic Director Grant Gershon presents LACC's "Bel Canto Award" to Tomlinson. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser benefit Los Angeles Children's Chorus' outstanding artistic and scholarship programs.

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL) will hold its annual Spring Gala at New York's Metropolitan Club (1 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022) on Thursday evening, April 5, 2018, starting at 6:00 pm. The organization will honor renowned opera singer and recitalist Stephanie Blythe with the NYCHORAL Music Excellence Award for her contributions to the musical profession, as well as Sylvia R. Hoisington who is celebrating her 50th season with the chorus. Produced in partnership with the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, the evening's showcase performance will feature soprano Amanda Majeski and tenor Ben Bliss, both of whom will be participating in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Cosi fan tutte from March 15 to April 9, 2018. Members of the NYCHORAL Chamber Ensemble will also perform. The evening will feature a silent auction of unique items and experiences. The program is as follows:

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL) will hold its annual Spring Gala at New York's Metropolitan Club (1 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022) on Thursday evening, April 5, 2018, starting at 6:00 pm.

LA Opera and SongFest have announced a new partnership to launch The Eva & Marc Stern SongFest-LA Opera Fellowship Program. Now in its 23rd season, SongFest is a training program and festival for singers and pianists that focuses on song and recital repertory, held at The Colburn School. SongFest and Colburn are thrilled to join forces with LA Opera and with Placido Domingo, the company's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, in fostering community among young singers, established artists and audiences by sharing resources and collaborating on new creative projects while invigorating the increasingly vibrant arts scene in Los Angeles.