BWW Reviews: HGO's THE ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS Sparkles with Rib-Tickling Whimsy
by David Clarke - October 27, 2012
Houston Grand Opera is performing Gioachino Rossini's splendid, humorous, and simply delightful L'italiana in Algeri or THE ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS for the first time. Even knowing that comedic operas exist, it is still seems somewhat like a contradiction to this opera novice. With that said, being able to laugh and smile all the through a performance made this production all the more memorable and enjoyable.
by David Clarke - October 27, 2012
Houston Grand Opera is performing Gioachino Rossini's splendid, humorous, and simply delightful L'italiana in Algeri or THE ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS for the first time. Even knowing that comedic operas exist, it is still seems somewhat like a contradiction to this opera novice. With that said, being able to laugh and smile all the through a performance made this production all the more memorable and enjoyable.
Chicago Opera Theater Honors National Opera Week with Subscription Raffle, 10/29-11/5
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2012
Chicago Opera Theater (COT) will hold its first-ever subscription raffle in honor of National Opera Week. The raffle offers subscribers who purchase their tickets between October 29th and November 5th a chance to be upgraded to prime seats for General Director Andreas Mitisek's not-to-be-missed inaugural 2013 Season.
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2012
Chicago Opera Theater (COT) will hold its first-ever subscription raffle in honor of National Opera Week. The raffle offers subscribers who purchase their tickets between October 29th and November 5th a chance to be upgraded to prime seats for General Director Andreas Mitisek's not-to-be-missed inaugural 2013 Season.
Sarasota Opera Celebrates National Opera Week, Now thru Nov 4
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2012
Sarasota Opera joins opera organizations nationwide to celebrate NATIONAL OPERA WEEK (October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2012
Sarasota Opera joins opera organizations nationwide to celebrate NATIONAL OPERA WEEK (October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
OPERA America Announces National Opera Week 2012 with Aretha Franklin, Honorary Chairwoman
by Kelsey Denette - October 26, 2012
Nearly 100 opera companies, schools and organizations across the nation will celebrate the fourth NATIONAL OPERA WEEK from Sunday, October 26 through Sunday, November 4, 2012 by offering free, accessible events to their communities. National Opera Week is coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
by Kelsey Denette - October 26, 2012
Nearly 100 opera companies, schools and organizations across the nation will celebrate the fourth NATIONAL OPERA WEEK from Sunday, October 26 through Sunday, November 4, 2012 by offering free, accessible events to their communities. National Opera Week is coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
Opera Company of Philadelphia Celebrates Opening of National Opera Week Today, 10/26
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2012
The Opera Company of Philadelphia joins opera organizations nationwide to celebrate National Opera Week (today, October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
by BWW News Desk - October 26, 2012
The Opera Company of Philadelphia joins opera organizations nationwide to celebrate National Opera Week (today, October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Opera Exposures Celebrates National Opera Week, Oct 26-Nov 4
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2012
OPERA EXPOSURES joins opera organizations nationwide to celebrate NATIONAL OPERA WEEK (October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2012
OPERA EXPOSURES joins opera organizations nationwide to celebrate NATIONAL OPERA WEEK (October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Opera Ebony Kicks Off 40th Season with SASS' N CLASS Concert, 11/16
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2012
Opera Ebony, America's longest running African American Opera Company, kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season with a musical montage of Sass' N Class on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 7PM, at Aaron Davis Hall, City College of New York (Convent Avenue and West 135th Street on City College campus) New York, NY 10031. Tickets are $25 (general admission); $15 (student tickets).
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2012
Opera Ebony, America's longest running African American Opera Company, kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season with a musical montage of Sass' N Class on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 7PM, at Aaron Davis Hall, City College of New York (Convent Avenue and West 135th Street on City College campus) New York, NY 10031. Tickets are $25 (general admission); $15 (student tickets).
Met Opera's HD Live in Schools Series Enters Fifth Season With Widest Reach Ever
by Kelsey Denette - October 25, 2012
The Met: HD Live in Schools, a national program that provides students, teachers, and administrators with educational resources tied to select live transmissions of Metropolitan Opera performances, and arranges for students to attend the live Met HD transmissions locally, will reach more students and teachers in its fifth season than ever before. The program, which provides educational resources geared to select performances from The Met: Live in HD-the Met's award-winning series of live opera transmissions to movie theaters around the world-will reach approximately 15,000 students in 29 school districts in 21 states during the 2012-13 season.
by Kelsey Denette - October 25, 2012
The Met: HD Live in Schools, a national program that provides students, teachers, and administrators with educational resources tied to select live transmissions of Metropolitan Opera performances, and arranges for students to attend the live Met HD transmissions locally, will reach more students and teachers in its fifth season than ever before. The program, which provides educational resources geared to select performances from The Met: Live in HD-the Met's award-winning series of live opera transmissions to movie theaters around the world-will reach approximately 15,000 students in 29 school districts in 21 states during the 2012-13 season.
Baritone, Thomas Hampson Performs at Carnegie Hall Tonight, 10/25
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2012
Baritone Thomas Hampson - fresh from induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences - looks forward to a blockbuster October in the US. The singer joins the Collegiate Chorale and the Israel Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta at Carnegie Hall tonight, October 25th, for a concert featuring Schoenberg's Kol Nidre and the New York premiere of Noam Sheriff's MECHAYE HAMETIM - a program that was greeted rapturously when Hampson performed it with the same forces at the Salzburg Festival this summer.
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2012
Baritone Thomas Hampson - fresh from induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences - looks forward to a blockbuster October in the US. The singer joins the Collegiate Chorale and the Israel Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta at Carnegie Hall tonight, October 25th, for a concert featuring Schoenberg's Kol Nidre and the New York premiere of Noam Sheriff's MECHAYE HAMETIM - a program that was greeted rapturously when Hampson performed it with the same forces at the Salzburg Festival this summer.
Tenor Luciano Lamonarca Launches 'Remembering Mario Del Monaco' Online Music Project
by BWW News Desk - October 24, 2012
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the death of the greatest dramatic tenor of the 20th century, Mario Del Monaco, Tenor Luciano Lamonarca launched an online music project called 'Remembering Mario Del Monaco."
by BWW News Desk - October 24, 2012
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the death of the greatest dramatic tenor of the 20th century, Mario Del Monaco, Tenor Luciano Lamonarca launched an online music project called 'Remembering Mario Del Monaco."
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE, Free Concert Series and More Set for Canadian Opera Company, Feb 2013
by BWW News Desk - October 22, 2012
Canadian Opera Company has announced its upcoming productions in February 2013. Full details below!
by BWW News Desk - October 22, 2012
Canadian Opera Company has announced its upcoming productions in February 2013. Full details below!
The Met's OTELLO Screens in Movie Theaters This Saturday
by Kelsey Denette - October 22, 2012
Renée Fleming sings as the innocent Desdemona in Verdi's towering tragedy Otello. South African tenor Johan Botha sings the title role, one of the most demanding parts in the operatic repertory, with German baritone Falk Struckmann as the treacherous villain Iago.
by Kelsey Denette - October 22, 2012
Renée Fleming sings as the innocent Desdemona in Verdi's towering tragedy Otello. South African tenor Johan Botha sings the title role, one of the most demanding parts in the operatic repertory, with German baritone Falk Struckmann as the treacherous villain Iago.
BWW Reviews: HGO's Splendid, Opulent LA BOHÈME is an Immaculate Production
by David Clarke - October 22, 2012
Houston Grand Opera is opening its 2012-2013 season with a lavish and fresh production of one of the world's favorite operas, LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini. The familiar opera tells the story of four bohemian artists that live in the same garret (apartment) in 1830s Paris. The poet, Rodolfo, falls for Mimi, a seamstress suffering from Tuberculosis. His friend Marcello, a painter, has recently broken up with Musetta, but is still fascinated by her. In a series of short glimpses into their lives, the audience sees Rodolfo and Mimi fall into a deep, passionate love that is eventually troubled and torn asunder by Rodolfo's jealousies and concerns about her health.
by David Clarke - October 22, 2012
Houston Grand Opera is opening its 2012-2013 season with a lavish and fresh production of one of the world's favorite operas, LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini. The familiar opera tells the story of four bohemian artists that live in the same garret (apartment) in 1830s Paris. The poet, Rodolfo, falls for Mimi, a seamstress suffering from Tuberculosis. His friend Marcello, a painter, has recently broken up with Musetta, but is still fascinated by her. In a series of short glimpses into their lives, the audience sees Rodolfo and Mimi fall into a deep, passionate love that is eventually troubled and torn asunder by Rodolfo's jealousies and concerns about her health.
Avgust Amonov to Sing Title Role in the Met's OTELLO, 10/20; Replaces Johan Botha
by BWW News Desk - October 19, 2012
Avgust Amonov will sing the title role in tomorrow afternoon's performance of Verdi's Otello, replacing Johan Botha, who is ill.
by BWW News Desk - October 19, 2012
Avgust Amonov will sing the title role in tomorrow afternoon's performance of Verdi's Otello, replacing Johan Botha, who is ill.
Amore Opera Presents OLIVO E PASQUALE and DON PASQUALE Double Bill, Now thru 11/4
by BWW News Desk - October 19, 2012
This Fall, Amore Opera presents the unprecedented double bill of Don Pasquale and the American premiere of Olivo e Pasquale, presented as The Pasquale Saga. Though both comedies are composed by Gaetano Donizetti and with title characters of the same name, these two operas were originally unrelated. However, as presented and conceived by Amore Opera's Artistic Director, Nathan Hull, the two plots are interwoven, such that "Olivo e Pasquale" is presented as a prequel to the more familiar opera, and the two Pasquale characters are now one and the same. The action of the two comic operas has been set in early 1800's Sicily, and Don Pasquale has been merrily re-imagined as a crime boss.
by BWW News Desk - October 19, 2012
This Fall, Amore Opera presents the unprecedented double bill of Don Pasquale and the American premiere of Olivo e Pasquale, presented as The Pasquale Saga. Though both comedies are composed by Gaetano Donizetti and with title characters of the same name, these two operas were originally unrelated. However, as presented and conceived by Amore Opera's Artistic Director, Nathan Hull, the two plots are interwoven, such that "Olivo e Pasquale" is presented as a prequel to the more familiar opera, and the two Pasquale characters are now one and the same. The action of the two comic operas has been set in early 1800's Sicily, and Don Pasquale has been merrily re-imagined as a crime boss.
John Caird's Production of LA BOHEME Opens Houston Grand Opera's 2012-13 Season, 10/19
by BWW News Desk - October 19, 2012
Houston Grand Opera, with Music Director Patrick Summers and Managing Director Perryn Leech, announces its 2012-13 season, headlined by four new productions. The first of these is Puccini's La boheme, which launches the new season with a new staging by award-winning British director John Caird. To honor 2013's joint bicentennials of Wagner and Verdi, the coming season juxtaposes Tristan und Isolde - starring Ben Heppner and Nina Stemme in a new contemporary staging by Christof Loy - with a revival of Steven Lawless's unforgettable take on Il trovatore. British conductor Trevor Pinnock leads a strong international cast in Mozart's ensemble masterpiece Don Giovanni, while Francesca Zambello's new production of Kern and Hammerstein's Show Boat brings together stars of Broadway and the opera house in a celebration of America's own contribution to the art. For a more intimate experience, Daniela Barcellona and Lawrence Brownlee star in Rossini's dramma giocoso, The Italian Girl in Algiers.
by BWW News Desk - October 19, 2012
Houston Grand Opera, with Music Director Patrick Summers and Managing Director Perryn Leech, announces its 2012-13 season, headlined by four new productions. The first of these is Puccini's La boheme, which launches the new season with a new staging by award-winning British director John Caird. To honor 2013's joint bicentennials of Wagner and Verdi, the coming season juxtaposes Tristan und Isolde - starring Ben Heppner and Nina Stemme in a new contemporary staging by Christof Loy - with a revival of Steven Lawless's unforgettable take on Il trovatore. British conductor Trevor Pinnock leads a strong international cast in Mozart's ensemble masterpiece Don Giovanni, while Francesca Zambello's new production of Kern and Hammerstein's Show Boat brings together stars of Broadway and the opera house in a celebration of America's own contribution to the art. For a more intimate experience, Daniela Barcellona and Lawrence Brownlee star in Rossini's dramma giocoso, The Italian Girl in Algiers.
AT&T Contributes $50,000 to Atlanta Opera to Support Community Engagement Program
by BWW News Desk - October 18, 2012
AT&T* today announced a $50,000 contribution to the Atlanta Opera's Community Engagement Program for students and teachers in Grades K-6 to expand and strengthen its effectiveness with more in-classroom education and additional outreach to the general public. Specifically, this contribution will be supporting The Atlanta Opera Studio Tour, which introduces thousands of school-aged children to the art form of opera through a touring production and an education guide to be used in classrooms to prepare students for the opera experience.
by BWW News Desk - October 18, 2012
AT&T* today announced a $50,000 contribution to the Atlanta Opera's Community Engagement Program for students and teachers in Grades K-6 to expand and strengthen its effectiveness with more in-classroom education and additional outreach to the general public. Specifically, this contribution will be supporting The Atlanta Opera Studio Tour, which introduces thousands of school-aged children to the art form of opera through a touring production and an education guide to be used in classrooms to prepare students for the opera experience.
Ailyn Perez and More Set for Richard Tucker Music Foundation 37th Annual Gala at Avery Fisher Hall, 11/11
by BWW News Desk - October 17, 2012
The Richard Tucker Music Foundation holds its 37th annual gala, one of the most highly anticipated events of the opera season, on Sunday, November 11 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center. Soprano Ailyn Perez, winner of the 2012 Richard Tucker Award and the first Latina singer to be so honored, joins a dazzling array of special guests - including baritones Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Gerald Finley; mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina; tenor Marcello Giordani; bass Ildar Abdrazakov; bass-baritone Erwin Schrott; and many more - in a program of favorite arias and ensembles, including selections by Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti, Massenet, Mascagni, Handel, and Wagner. Maestro Patrick Summers, Artistic and Music Director of Houston Grand Opera, leads the lineup of luminaries, supported by members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the New York Choral Society.
by BWW News Desk - October 17, 2012
The Richard Tucker Music Foundation holds its 37th annual gala, one of the most highly anticipated events of the opera season, on Sunday, November 11 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center. Soprano Ailyn Perez, winner of the 2012 Richard Tucker Award and the first Latina singer to be so honored, joins a dazzling array of special guests - including baritones Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Gerald Finley; mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina; tenor Marcello Giordani; bass Ildar Abdrazakov; bass-baritone Erwin Schrott; and many more - in a program of favorite arias and ensembles, including selections by Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti, Massenet, Mascagni, Handel, and Wagner. Maestro Patrick Summers, Artistic and Music Director of Houston Grand Opera, leads the lineup of luminaries, supported by members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the New York Choral Society.
BWW Interviews: Heidi Stober Talks Playing Musetta in LA BOHÈME
by David Clarke - October 16, 2012
LA BOHÈME opens this week at Houston Grand Opera. It runs from October 19 to November 10, 2012. Busy with rehearsals and putting the final touches on this perennial favorite, Heidi Stober who is portraying Musetta took a few moments to chat about the character, the show, and herself.
by David Clarke - October 16, 2012
LA BOHÈME opens this week at Houston Grand Opera. It runs from October 19 to November 10, 2012. Busy with rehearsals and putting the final touches on this perennial favorite, Heidi Stober who is portraying Musetta took a few moments to chat about the character, the show, and herself.
René Pape Announces Upcoming Events
by Kelsey Denette - October 15, 2012
Already in this young season, Rene Pape has given a star turn as Philip II in Verdi's Don Carlos at the Vienna State Opera and made his recital debut at La Scala in Milan. The German singer - "the world's most charismatic bass," according to Opera News - is currently reprising his acclaimed Wotan at the Berlin State Opera in a production of Die Walkure conducted by Daniel Barenboim.
by Kelsey Denette - October 15, 2012
Already in this young season, Rene Pape has given a star turn as Philip II in Verdi's Don Carlos at the Vienna State Opera and made his recital debut at La Scala in Milan. The German singer - "the world's most charismatic bass," according to Opera News - is currently reprising his acclaimed Wotan at the Berlin State Opera in a production of Die Walkure conducted by Daniel Barenboim.
Baritone Thomas Hampson Performs at Lyric Opera of Chicago and Carnegie Hall, Beg. Tonight, 10/15
by BWW News Desk - October 15, 2012
Baritone Thomas Hampson will step into one of his favorite roles, Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, for a Lyric Opera of Chicago production led by Sir Andrew Davis (tonight, Oct 15-Nov 9). Also this month, on October 18th, Hampson will give one of his acclaimed SONG OF AMERICA recitals in Akron, Ohio, with longtime colleague Kevin Murphy.
by BWW News Desk - October 15, 2012
Baritone Thomas Hampson will step into one of his favorite roles, Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, for a Lyric Opera of Chicago production led by Sir Andrew Davis (tonight, Oct 15-Nov 9). Also this month, on October 18th, Hampson will give one of his acclaimed SONG OF AMERICA recitals in Akron, Ohio, with longtime colleague Kevin Murphy.
NBR New Zealand Opera Re-Stages Daniel Slater's THE BARTERED BRIDE Tonight, Oct 13
by BWW News Desk - October 13, 2012
The NBR New Zealand Opera's restaging of Daniel Slater's ground-breaking Opera North production of Smetana's The Bartered Bride, opening in Wellington tonight, 13 October, dispenses with the folkloric cliches normally associated with this opera in favour of an updated setting in the Czechoslovakia of 1972, four years after the Prague Spring.
by BWW News Desk - October 13, 2012
The NBR New Zealand Opera's restaging of Daniel Slater's ground-breaking Opera North production of Smetana's The Bartered Bride, opening in Wellington tonight, 13 October, dispenses with the folkloric cliches normally associated with this opera in favour of an updated setting in the Czechoslovakia of 1972, four years after the Prague Spring.
Opera Company of Philadelphia Launches National Opera Week, 10/26
by Nicole Rosky - October 11, 2012
The Opera Company of Philadelphia is proud to join opera organizations nationwide to celebrate National Opera Week (October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
by Nicole Rosky - October 11, 2012
The Opera Company of Philadelphia is proud to join opera organizations nationwide to celebrate National Opera Week (October 26 - November 4), coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Joseph Calleja Brings BE MY LOVE: A TRIBUTE TO MARIO LANZA to City Winery Tonight, 10/11
by BWW News Desk - October 11, 2012
On the heels of his success at London's legendary Last Night of the BBC Proms this past weekend-which was broadcast live on television, radio, online, and in cinemas across the U.K.-Joseph Calleja, "arguably today's finest lyric tenor" (NPR), returns to the Big Apple tonight, October 11 to perform selections from his new Decca Classics recording, Be My Love: A Tribute to Mario Lanza, in a concert with orchestra at City Winery in downtown Manhattan.
by BWW News Desk - October 11, 2012
On the heels of his success at London's legendary Last Night of the BBC Proms this past weekend-which was broadcast live on television, radio, online, and in cinemas across the U.K.-Joseph Calleja, "arguably today's finest lyric tenor" (NPR), returns to the Big Apple tonight, October 11 to perform selections from his new Decca Classics recording, Be My Love: A Tribute to Mario Lanza, in a concert with orchestra at City Winery in downtown Manhattan.
WNO Opens Three World Premieres for American Opera Initiative, 11/19
by BWW News Desk - October 10, 2012
Washington National Opera (WNO) will present the world premieres of three new 20-minute operas on Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater: The Game of Hearts by composer Douglas Pew and librettist Dara Weinberg, Part of the Act by composer Liam Wade and librettist John Grimmett, and Charon by composer Scott Perkins and librettist Nat Cassidy. The three operas, each highlighting American culture and themes, are the first new works created under the auspices of the American Opera Initiative, WNO's new commissioning program.
by BWW News Desk - October 10, 2012
Washington National Opera (WNO) will present the world premieres of three new 20-minute operas on Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater: The Game of Hearts by composer Douglas Pew and librettist Dara Weinberg, Part of the Act by composer Liam Wade and librettist John Grimmett, and Charon by composer Scott Perkins and librettist Nat Cassidy. The three operas, each highlighting American culture and themes, are the first new works created under the auspices of the American Opera Initiative, WNO's new commissioning program.
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