Ron Daniels News

CARMEN, the title character in Georges Bizet's opera, is a young woman who wants the social freedoms nineteenth century men simply took for granted. Sung magnificently by Ana Maria Martinez, Carmen is suave and self-confident, but enroute to certain destruction. Currently, L A Opera is offering an excellent performance of this beloved opera that Angelinos should not miss.

General Director Placido Domingo has announced that due to overwhelming ticket demand, LA Opera has added a seventh performance of the company's season-opening production of Carmen, conducted by Music Director James Conlon and starring company favorite Ana Maria Martinez. Tickets for this newly scheduled performance on September 28 are on sale as of today.

For all the pathos in this, one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, director Ron Daniels has found a way to create and unexpectedly festive atmosphere. There is, refreshingly, room to laugh knowingly even as Iago weaves his evil plot.

Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), one of the world's foremost children's choirs, announces its 2017-18 season, entitled 'And This Shall be for Beauty,' featuring exquisite repertoire that illuminates LACC's signature bel canto sound honed by highly regarded and much-loved Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, who is stepping down at the conclusion of the season, her 22nd at the Chorus' artistic helm.

Harvard University's ART Institute, the university's graduate-level theater program within the American Repertory Theater, recently announced a three-year admissions suspensions while administrators implement a strategic plan to stabilize the troubled program. On July 30, the A.R.T. Institute Alumni Association sent a letter to the leaders of the Institute criticizing Diane Paulus's 'little respect or interest in the program' and 'negligence in her duty to the Institute.'

On July 21, 2017, Santa Fe Opera presented Ron Daniels' production of Gaetano Donizetti's bel canto work, LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR. Beginning with a storm and several huge rainbows, the open sides of Santa Fe Opera's Crosby Theatre allowed the audience to watch the sun set as the orchestra played the opera's overture. Based on Sir Walter Scott's novel, THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR, the opera tells the story of a young woman who loses her reason when forced to marry a man she does not love.

Theater professionals from across Michigan will gather Aug. 28 when The 2017 Wilde Awards are presented at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) Free For All, one of the capital's most beloved annual traditions offering free performances of a Shakespearean classic to the general public each summer, will return next month with the Company's 2016 production of William Shakespeare's Othello. Helmed by internationally acclaimed director Ron Daniels and starring screen actor Faran Tahir in the titular role, the production will run at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. NW) from August 15-27, offering more than 12,000 people the chance to see the play free of charge.

Kelsey Grammer will make his LA Opera debut in the company's 2018 production of Candide, composer Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Broadway classic. 

Lyric Opera of Chicago and Lyric Unlimited are proud to present the Chicago premiere of a jazz-infused operatic event, Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD. Directed by Ron Daniels, this 90-minute chamber opera by Daniel Schnyder and Bridgette A. Wimberly explores the extraordinary life of legendary jazz saxophonistCharlie Parker.

Artistic Director Michael Kahn announced today the Company's 2017-2018 Season. Continuing his commitment to explore the classics from a variety of perspectives, Kahn, now in his 31st year with the Company, has put together a diverse season of renowned plays, including celebrated 20th-century playwrights, a classic musical, a world premiere and, of course, Shakespeare.

Lyric Opera of Chicago and Lyric Unlimited are proud to present the Chicago Premiere of a jazz-infused operatic event, Charlie Parker's Yardbird - A Chamber Concert.

MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale) will celebrate its 75th anniversary during the 2016-2017 season, beginning with the New York premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek's 27, specially adapted for MasterVoices, on October 20 and 21, 2016 at 8pm at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street, New York City.

The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms, will hold the next event in its Free Seminars series, focused on the Off Broadway Casting Process on Sunday October 23rd, 2016.

MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale) will celebrate its 75th anniversary during the 2016-2017 season, beginning with the New York premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek's 27, specially adapted for MasterVoices, on October 20 and 21, 2016 at 8pm at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street, New York City.

OTSL has opened a delicious 'La boheme'.

MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale)will open its 75th anniversary season with Ricky Ian Gordon's 27, with libretto by Royce Vavrek, starring Stephanie Blythe, Heidi Stober,Theo Lebow, Tobias Greenhalgh, and Daniel Brevik, conducted by Ted Sperling, and directed by James Robinson, with Orchestra of St. Luke's on October 20 and 21, 2016at New York City Center.

As Charlie “Bird” Parker, the great jazz saxophonist, who is the central character in CHARLIE PARKER'S YARDBIRD--the opera that had its New York premiere last week at the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem--Lawrence Brownlee wonderfully embraced the classical and bebop sides of the score.

The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia announced today that Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD, composed by Daniel Schnyder with a libretto by Bridgette A. Wimberly, will have its New York premiere in a co-production between the two institutions, April 1 and 3, 2016.  The engagement marks the first time opera will be performed on the Apollo Theater stage, and the first time Opera Philadelphia will produce in New York. The opera will also be recorded for broadcast in November 2016 on New York City's classical music station 105.9 WQXR, at wqxr.org, and distributed nationally by the WFMT Radio Network.

The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia announced today that Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD will have its New York premiere in a co-production between the two institutions, April 1 and 3, 2016.  The engagement marks the first time opera will be performed on the Apollo Theater stage, and the first time Opera Philadelphia will play New York.