Opera in the Tropics: Music and Theater in Early Modern Brazil (Currents in Latin American and Iberian Music) - by Rogerio Budasz
Opera in the Tropics is an engaging exploration of theater with music in Brazil from the mid 1500s to the early 1820s. Author Rog rio Budasz delves into the practices of the actors, singers, poets, and composers who created and performed Jesuit moral plays, Spanish comedias, and Portuguese vernacular operas and entremezes during the colonial period, as well as the Italian operas that celebrated the new independent nation in 1822. A Brazilian producer claimed in 1825 that the goal of music-theater was to instruct, entertain, and distract the population. Budasz argues that this threefold goal had in fact been present throughout the colonial period, in different combinations and with different purposes, at the hands of missionaries, intellectuals, bureaucrats, political leaders, and cultural producers. While Budasz demonstrates a continuity from Portuguese theatrical practices, primarily through the circulation of artists and repertory, he also examines a number of localized departures from the metropolitan model, particularly in the ethnic and gender profile of theatrical workers, in the modifications determined by local tastes, priorities, and materials, and in the political use of theater as an ideological and civilizing tool within the paradoxical context of a slave society. An eye-opening narrative of the transformations and uses of a colonial art form, Opera in the Tropics will be essential reading for all interested in the music and theater in Iberian and Latin American culture.
Center Stage Records will release the original cast recording of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical, the TheaterWorksUSA production based on Dav Pilkey’s book series. BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen of the album with a new single, 'My Sister, Naomi,' Watch the video!
On Friday, February 6, 2026, the two-time GRAMMY Award-nominated Neave Trio will release its eighth commercial album, In Her Hands. The ensemble will present a program of piano trios celebrating three women composers in the early modern era: Clara Schumann, Dora Pejačević, and Cécile Chaminade.
The cast album of THE ONE: The Life of Legendary Boxer Muhammad Ali, written and directed by David Serero, is now officially released across all major music platforms.
Writer, composer, and producer T.J. Armand has released Happy Hour Blues: Lyrics, Notes & Reflections, the companion book to his three-volume recording project.
Desi Oakley has released the official music video for her new holiday single, “Christmas on the Coast,” written by Dan Diaz and Martin Storrow. Oakley is known for Waitress, Chicago and more.
Republic Records has released the official score album for Wicked: For Good, containing all the instrumental underscoring written for the film by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell. Listen to it now!
Jill Schoelen will release her first Christmas album Christmas Is Forever and launch 'Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - The Music Video'.
Out just in time for the holidays is Let Me Carry You This Christmas, a new holiday album by award-winning singer and actor Darius de Haas. Watch in this video as we bring you an exclusive look at 'Silent Night'.
Meyer Media will release Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, the cinematic and evocative new album from Florida-based composer Paul Richards out on Friday, December 12th.
Theatre Communications Group has announced the forthcoming publication of Teeth, the darkly hilarious and incisive musical by Michael R. Jackson (Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner for A Strange Loop) and Anna K. Jacobs (Jonathan Larson and Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award–winning composer, lyricist, and book writer).
Gregory Maguire, author of the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, will release his new book Galinda: A Charmed Childhood in the fall of 2026. Pre-orders are available now.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, acclaimed songwriting team known for projects like Dear Evan Hanson and The Greatest Showman, are heading into new territory with their children's book Axl the Axolotl Is Not a Frog.
With Wicked: For Good finally in theaters, pre-orders for physical copies of the film have officially opened. Newly released listings are previewing the home video release for the movie, which will tentatively arrive in stores in January.
Center Stage Records has released a new digital single from Kennedy Caughell, featuring a medley of “I’m Not That Girl” and “Defying Gravity” inspired by the new film Wicked: For Good.
America’s Got Talent All-Star/Finalist Jimmie Herrod has released his first full-length album, Pretty Is What Changes, a jazzy album with songs from Stephen Sondheim. Check it out now.
With Wicked: For Good now playing in theaters, the official soundtrack to the highly anticipated film is now available to stream. As previously reported, the soundtrack will feature all of the fan-favorite songs from Act 2 of the stage show. Listen to it here!
Ben Forster, the TV star and vocalist best known for performances in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, and Elf The Musical, has released his brand new studio album Musicals Greatest Hits. Listen to it now.
Broadway’s Desi Oakley will release her new holiday single CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST on Friday, November 21. Fans can pre-save the track now at ChristmasontheCoast.com.
On December 5, Republic Records will release the official score album for Wicked: For Good, containing all the instrumental underscoring written for the film by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell.
The soundtrack is also now available for A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, with tracks that feature the vocals of Kenny G, Chloe Bennet, and Broadway alum Andrew Barth Feldman. Check it out now.
Nick Hern Books is set to publish the complete scripts to the multi-award-winning Netflix television series Adolescence, presented alongside exclusive behind-the-scenes material, on 27 November.
Center Stage Records has released the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Pirates! The Penzance Musical on CD. The album is also available in streaming and digital formats.
Center Stage Records has released the EP featuring three selections from It’s Kind of a Funny Story: A New Musical in streaming and digital formats today, Friday, November 14. It’s Kind of a Funny Story features music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini and book by two-time Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman.
Cynthia Erivo isn't just on the big screen this holiday season. The Wicked star's new book, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They're Too Much, is now available from the Flatiron Books imprint of Macmillan Publishers. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the new book!
In honor of the film’s 20th anniversary this year, Focus Features is re-releasing Pride & Prejudice in a restored 4K Ultra HD edition. The 4K release will hit shelves on November 25, 2025.
To mark the sixth year of the Singles Day Vinyl Series, Urban Outfitters has opened preorders for a new 7' vinyl release of the two new singles. It will be released on November 21.
Rob Rokicki, composer of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, will release a new theatrical rock single titled “Lincoln” on November 14, 2025.
Music stores across the country will host official listening parties to celebrate the release of the soundtrack of Wicked: For Good on November 21, 22 and 23.
Anthony Nunziata has released his debut holiday collection Christmas & You on vinyl, CD, and digital and streaming platforms. The songs were all co-written by Nunziata and some of the top Country and pop hitmakers.
Center Stage Recrods has released Into the Sun: World Premiere Recording in streaming and digital formats. Into the Sun is the new musical drama that features book, music and lyrics by Michael Gubser.