American Opera Company News

Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president & CEO, announced today that French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch has withdrawn from the company premiere of Berlioz's Les Troyens for personal reasons. Stepping into the role of Dido will be American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, world-renowned as an interpreter of French repertoire, in general, with a special emphasis on the music of Berlioz.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the delightful and touching tale ofDon Quichotte by French Romantic composer Jules Massenet in a new-to-Chicago production, opening Saturday, November 19. Lyric will offer six performances throughDecember 7. Performance dates are November 19 and 28, and December 1 and 7 at 7:30pm; and November 23 and December 4 at 2:00pm. Performances are in French with English subtitles at Lyric's Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $34 and are available now at lyricopera.org/Quichotte or at 312-827-5600.

Lyric Opera of Chicago today announced that, at its meeting earlier today, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to renew acclaimed general director Anthony Freud's five year contract. Mr. Freud will continue to lead the organization as general director through the 2020/21 season.

New York City Opera continues its 2016 - 17 season on November 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2016 with the New York premiere of Tobin Stokes and Heather Raffo's Fallujah, the first opera written about the Iraq War experience.

After opening with a critically acclaimed new double-bill production of Rachmaninoff's Aleko and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, New York City Opera's 2016-17 season continues with Pasion Latina. A 90-minute concert celebrating and honoring the diverse musical traditions of Latin America, Pasion Latina continues City Opera's commitment to engaging New York's Spanish-speaking community.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents an all-new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute just in time for the holidays, December 10, 2016 - January 27, 2017.

Opera Naples' inaugural "Renata Scotto Opera Program" is offering a once-in-a-life-time opportunity for exceptional singers from around the world who are seeking specialized musical instruction with the legendary opera star, Renata Scotto. Additionally, opera supporters can grant a gift of an underwriting sponsorship or scholarship towards the "Renata Scotto Opera Program." The world renowned Italian soprano, stage director and teacher is known by millions as one of the greatest singers of all time. As a participant of the "Renata Scotto Opera Program," select singers will receive multiple private voice lessons with Mme. Scotto, as well as vocal coachings from an expert staff on the repertoire of their choosing. In addition to public masterclasses, each session of the "Renata Scotto Opera Program" will conclude with four concerts, open to the public, scheduled January 21, January 25, March 13, and March 18, 2017 at the Wang Opera Center. An Evening in Monaco Annual Benefit Gala hosted by Renata Scotto is Friday, January 20, 2017 at 6 pm at the Ritz-Carlton,Tiburon in Naples, Florida.  

The Dallas Opera is pleased to announce that applications for the expanded and updated Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. (the free Semi-Finals Round, open to the public) andSunday, April 30, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. (Finals Round) are now being accepted.

New York City Opera is at the forefront of New York's cultural season with Opening Night today, September 8, 2016 featuring two compelling ensemble casts in a new production double bill directed by Lev Pugliese with conductor James Meena leading the New York City Opera Orchestra.

New York City Opera is at the forefront of New York's cultural season with Opening Night on Thursday, September 8, 2016 featuring two compelling ensemble casts in a new production double bill directed by Lev Pugliese with conductor James Meena leading the New York City Opera Orchestra.

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance, in association with Lyric Unlimited, has announced the return of Beyond the Aria - the highly acclaimed performance series produced by the Harris Theater which pairs internationally celebrated opera singers of Lyric's mainstage alongside rising stars from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Houston, June 14, 2016— Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has appointed Carleen Graham, an award-winning opera educator, administrator, researcher, and stage director, as director of the company's community collaboration and education initiative, HGOco. She will assume the position August 22. The executive search process was guided by Arts Consulting Group.

For people the world over, New York City represents the epicenter of arts and culture. With its renowned theatres and concert halls, attending a performance in the city often comes with a level of reverence and expectation. Countless artistic innovations, movements, even entire genres can trace their roots back to the city that never sleeps. Next week, New York City audiences can add to this the experience a cutting-edge opera production that was conceptualized and created in the globally creative city of Nashville, Tennessee.

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has appointed Carleen Graham, an award-winning opera educator, administrator, researcher, and stage director, as director of the company's community collaboration and education initiative, HGOco. She will assume the position August 22. The executive search process was guided by Arts Consulting Group.

New York City Opera concludes its 2016 season with the New York premiere of Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Cata?n. Performances are June 22, 23, 25, and 26 in Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall. New York City Opera inaugurates O?pera en Espan?ol, a landmark initiative of productions of opera in the Spanish language, Baroque to the contemporary, from Spain and Latin America, as well as zarzuela. O?pera en Espan?ol introduces the opera-loving public to a neglected but significant repertoire and aims to expand City Opera's reach to new and Spanish-speaking audiences.

San Diego Opera is proud to continue its tradition of presenting new or rarely performed works when it presents the west coast premiere of Great Scott, the new opera from composer Jake Heggie (Moby-Dick, Dead Man Walking, Three Decembers) and librettist Terrence McNally (Dead Man Walking, Three Decembers, and the plays Mother and Sons, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Fully Monty). They are joined by veteran stage director and former director of San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, Jack O'Brien, who will stage the opera. Great Scott opens on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 7 PM for four performances at the San Diego Civic Theatre and is a co-production with The Dallas Opera. The opera received its world premiere in Dallas on October 30, 2015.  BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

New York City Opera presents the New York premiere of HOPPER'S WIFE by composer Stewart Wallace, set to a libretto by Michael Korie.

New York City Opera presents the New York premiere of HOPPER'S WIFE by composer Stewart Wallace, set to a libretto by Michael Korie.

Nashville Opera presents Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall located at 505 Deaderick Street in Downtown Nashville: Thursday, April 7th at 7 PM and Saturday, April 9th at 8 PM. John Hoomes, Nashville Opera's Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director, directs the production with Maestro Dean Williamson conducting the Nashville Opera Orchestra. Amy Tate Williams, accompanist and chorusmaster, leads the 24-member Nashville Opera Ensemble. John Hoomes will present the popular Opera Insights discussion one-hour prior to curtain on the Orchestra Level and admission is free to all ticket holders.