Arthur Woodley News

After 31 years of artistic excellence and inspirational leadership, General Director Speight Jenkins passes the baton to Aidan Lang this summer.

Seattle Opera concludes its 50th Anniversary season, as well as the 31-year tenure of General Director Speight Jenkins with The Tales of Hoffmann (Les contes d'Hoffmann). An all-star cast sings Jacques Offenbach's tuneful score, chronicling famous writer E.T.A. Hoffmann's misadventures in love. The wild stories of Hoffmann's failed romances come alive with fantastical elements: a beautiful robot, an evil optician, a stolen shadow, death by music, and a mysterious boy/girl muse. The Tales of Hoffmann was first produced jointly by Dallas, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and Arizona operas in 2005. This timeless, stylish, and imaginative production returns to Seattle Opera today, May 3, and runs through Today, May 17.

Seattle Opera concludes its 50th Anniversary season, as well as the 31-year tenure of General Director Speight Jenkins with The Tales of Hoffmann (Les contes d'Hoffmann). An all-star cast sings Jacques Offenbach's tuneful score, chronicling famous writer E.T.A. Hoffmann's misadventures in love. The wild stories of Hoffmann's failed romances come alive with fantastical elements: a beautiful robot, an evil optician, a stolen shadow, death by music, and a mysterious boy/girl muse. The Tales of Hoffmann was first produced jointly by Dallas, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and Arizona operas in 2005. This timeless, stylish, and imaginative production returns to Seattle Opera on Saturday, May 3, and runs through Saturday, May 17.

Magnetic, Terence Blanchard's stunning new album is set for release May 28 on Blue Note Records. The album features ten original songs written by Blanchard or a member of his quintet: saxophonist Brice Winston, pianist Fabian Almazon, bassist Joshua Crumbly, and drummer Kendrick Scott. Magnetic also showcases special guest appearances from bass legend Ron Carter, as well as label-mates saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and guitarist Lionel Loueke.

Seattle Opera continues its 2012/13 season next month with 10 performances of one of the most popular operas ever composed. At turns joyful and heartbreaking, Puccini's La Boheme tells an unforgettable story of impoverished young people who are rich in friendship, love, and passion. La Boheme returns to Seattle Opera tonight, February 23, running for 10 performances through March 10.

Seattle Opera continues its 2012/13 season next month with 10 performances of one of the most popular operas ever composed. At turns joyful and heartbreaking, Puccini's La Boheme tells an unforgettable story of impoverished young people who are rich in friendship, love, and passion. La Boheme returns to Seattle Opera on February 23, running for 10 performances through March 10.

Seattle Opera rings in the New Year next month with royalty, a ball, and plenty of giant rats when it stages La Cenerentola, Rossini's effervescent take on the Cinderella story. But you won't find a glass slipper, an evil stepmother, or a fairy godmother in this opera; instead, this uniquely Italian retelling features a prince in disguise, a pompous stepfather, and a wise philosopher. Love, laughter, virtue, and brilliant bel canto vocalism win out at the end of this opera by the composer of The Barber of Seville. La Cenerentola opens tonight, January 12, and runs for eight performances through January 26.

Seattle Opera rings in the New Year next month with royalty, a ball, and plenty of giant rats when it stages La Cenerentola, Rossini's effervescent take on the Cinderella story. But you won't find a glass slipper, an evil stepmother, or a fairy godmother in this opera; instead, this uniquely Italian retelling features a prince in disguise, a pompous stepfather, and a wise philosopher. Love, laughter, virtue, and brilliant bel canto vocalism win out at the end of this opera by the composer of The Barber of Seville. La Cenerentola opens on Saturday, January 12, and runs for eight performances through January 26.

American tenor Ric Furman will sing the role of Florestan in Seattle Opera's production of Beethoven's Fidelio at the matinee performance on Sunday, October 14, 2012, replacing the originally announced singer, Clifton Forbis.

Seattle Opera continues its 2012/13 season next month with Beethoven's only opera: Fidelio, the story of a devoted wife who rescues her husband, unjustly imprisoned for his political beliefs. Premiered in 1814, Fidelio's message of love and hope overcoming tyranny and oppression remains as relevant today as ever. Seattle Opera's production of Fidelio, set here and now, opens on Saturday, October 13, and runs for six performances through October 27.

Seattle Opera today announced its 2012/13 season, featuring six operas that explore the infinite variety of love: obsession, true love, false love, love at first sight, marital love, and love born of hatred.

Seattle Opera will open its production of Verdi's hot-blooded melodrama Il Trovatore on January 16, 2010. The production will run for eight performances through January 30.

Seattle Opera today announced its compelling 2010/11 season. The line-up features a Wagnerian masterpiece, a dark tragedy, a hilarious romp, a poignant retelling, and a magical fantasy, all wrapped into one thrilling season.

Seattle Opera will open its production of Verdi's hot-blooded melodrama Il Trovatore on January 16, 2010. The production will run for eight performances through January 30.