Michael Levine

BLUEBEARD'S CASTLE and ERWARTUNG to Return to Canadian Opera Company in Double Bill
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2026

The Canadian Opera Company will present Béla Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle and Arnold Schoenberg’s Erwartung in a gripping double bill directed by Robert Lepage at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Meet the Cast of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2026

Death of a Salesman is back on Broadway! Arthur Miller’s American drama will star three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, two-time Tony Award winner Laurie Metcalf, Christopher Abbott and Ben Ahlers. Meet the cast of Death of a Salesman here!

Review: CARMEN Sizzles with Akhmetshina Heading Stellar Cast at the Met
by Richard Sasanow - Jan 16, 2026

From her first appearance on stage, it was clear that mezzo Aigul Akhmetshina was no flash in the pan when she gave us a scorching Carmen when this production was new just two years ago. The program describes the title character as “a force of nature” and that’s certainly what we got at the Met, in such arias as the Habanera (“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle”), the Seguidilla (“Pres des ramparts de Seville”) or in the opera’s Finale with Don Jose.

RIGOLETTO Returns to the Canadian Opera Company in Winter 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

The Canadian Opera Company will bring Verdi’s RIGOLETTO back to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts this winter. The production will feature baritone Quinn Kelsey in the title role, conducted by COC Music Director Johannes Debus.

Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf and Christopher Abbott to Star in DEATH OF A SALESMAN Revival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2025

Three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, two-time Tony Award winner Laurie Metcalf, and Christopher Abbott will return to Broadway in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.

CARMEN to Return to the Metropolitan Opera in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2025

Carrie Cracknell’s production of Carmen will return to the Met for 13 performances beginning in October. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets!

Review: 54 SINGS WILDCAT at 54 Below Celebrates a Slice of Forgotten Broadway
by Rebecca Kaplan - Aug 2, 2025

The July 28th show celebrated a forgotten, frivolous and fun-filled musical, originally starring Lucille Ball, the third in a series produced and hosted by Backstage Babbles' Charles Kirsch.

Review: 54 SINGS COCO at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Apr 22, 2025

What did our critic think of 54 SINGS COCO at 54 Below?

Ralph Fiennes to Make Opera Directing Debut with EUGENE ONEGIN at Paris's Garnier Opera House
by Joshua Wright - Apr 2, 2025

British actor Ralph Fiennes will direct his first opera, the Paris National Opera announced on Wednesday. He is set to stage Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin at the historic Palais Garnier in January 2026.

The Royal Ballet and Opera Reveals 2025/26 Season With Justin Peck and More
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2025

The Royal Ballet and Opera launches its 2025/26 Season, unveiling an unforgettable programme of new commissions, world premieres and much-loved revivals alongside the first annual festival connecting the worlds of opera and technology. 

EUGENE ONEGIN Comes Home To The COC
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

Eugene Onegin runs for seven performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in May. Learn more about the upcoming event and how to get tickets here!

Review: JEN�®FA, Royal Ballet And Opera
by Alexander Cohen - Jan 16, 2025

It’s a mistake to dismiss Claus Guth’s production of Janacek’s Jenůfa as symbolically overwrought and interminably grey. Look closer and you’ll discover a duality to each beguiling appearance.

Kean Stage Adds DALLAS BRASS To 2024-2025 Season Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2024

Kean Stage has added DALLAS BRASS to its 2024-2025 season lineup. Learn more about the 2024-25 season programming and see how to purchase tickets.

Photos: Karen Mason Sings Encore Performance of Jule Styne Celebration at Birdland
by Stephi Wild - Sep 18, 2024

Birdland presented the return of singer Karen Mason in an encore performance of “Just in Styne: Karen Sings Jule” on Monday, September 16. Check out photos here!

Joffrey Ballet Opens 2024-25 Season With US Premiere Of Cathy Marston's ATONEMENT
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 6, 2024

Joffrey Ballet has announced its 2024-25 season, featuring the US premiere of Cathy Marston's ATONEMENT.

The Met Opera's MADAME BUTTERFLY Will be Broadcast in UK Cinemas
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2024

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly will return in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2023–24 Live in HD season, broadcast live from the Met stage on Saturday 11th May at 5:55pm.

Asmik Grigorian And Jonathan Tetelman Star In THE MET: LIVE IN HD Transmission Of MADAMA BUTTERFLY
by A.A. Cristi - May 7, 2024

Join Asmik Grigorian and Jonathan Tetelman as they star in The Met: Live in HD transmission of MADAMA BUTTERFLY.

Review: Dizzying Night at the Met with Grigorian's Splendiferous BUTTERFLY in House Debut
by Richard Sasanow - Apr 29, 2024

Those of us who keep an eye on the comings and goings of singers at major opera houses around the world, have known that Friday’s debutant, Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian, was going to be one to watch. And it was. No worries about whether her voice would translate from Europe’s smaller houses to the Met’s enormous hall: Grigorian may have been singing Puccini’s Cio-Cio-San/Madama Butterfly this time around, but she’s a well-schooled Lady Macbeth and Turandot as well, bringing a notably large voice with her. She survived the Met’s notoriously short rehearsal time for revivals (particularly for the second cast of the season). Lastly, she even made it through the final curveball, when tenor Jonathan Tetelman became ill and standby Chad Shelton had to take over as Pinkerton; he did well considering the circumstances, but he was no match for her.

Video: Watch Asmik Grigorian Sing 'Un Bel Dì' from MADAMA BUTTERFLY at Met Opera
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 28, 2024

Watch Asmik Grigorian sing an excerpt from Cio-Cio-San’s Act II aria in a stage rehearsal for the Met Opera's Madama Butterfly, running through May 11, in the video here!

Video: Michael Fabiano Sings 'La fleur que tu m'avais jetée' from Met Opera's CARMEN
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 28, 2024

Watch tenor Michael Fabiano sing an excerpt from Don José’s Act II aria in a stage rehearsal in the video here!