Bernard Holcomb News

LoftOpera opened Rossini's OTHELLO on March 16 in Brooklyn.

I must admit that I entered LoftOpera's performance of Rossini's take on OTELLO with some trepidation. Besides having a particular affection for the Verdi version, my experience with 'alternate universe' adaptations of famous operas has been iffy at best. But this OTELLO, predating Verdi by over 70 years, seemed a horse of a different color--with LoftOpera making a strong musical case for it, especially in his treatment of Desdemona, Otello's beloved, sung sensationally by soprano Cecilia Lopez.

OPERA EXPOSURES, the not-for-profit opera company founded by Edna Greenwich in 2004, will present a Memorial Concert in honor of the late Deborah Jackson, a lover of theatre and music who passed away in February after spending 33 years at the Metropolitan Opera Stage Door working the switchboard and greeting some of the world's greatest opera singers, on Sunday, October 23, at 3:30 PM at St. Marks Church in the Bowery, 131 East 10th Street at 2nd Avenue.

For the first time ever, Chicago's iconic Music Box Theatre will host a classical live performance when Chicago Opera Theater (COT) debuts the Chicago premiere of Frank Martin's 1942 'The Love Potion' ('Le Vin Herbe') on September 30.

For the first time ever, Chicago's iconic Music Box Theatre will host a classical live performance when Chicago Opera Theater (COT) debuts the Chicago premiere of Frank Martin's 1942 'The Love Potion' ('Le Vin Herbe') on September 30.

For the first time ever, Chicago's iconic Music Box Theatre will host a classical live performance when Chicago Opera Theater (COT) debuts the Chicago premiere of Frank Martin's 1942'The Love Potion' ('Le Vin Herbe') on September 30. Martin's adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde chronicles the relationship of the two lovers who meet by deception, fall in love by magic and pursue their love in defiance of heavenly and earthly powers.

59E59 Theaters will welcome the return of the little OPERA theatre of ny with the New York premiere of L'Amant Anonyme, adapted and directed Philip Shneidman from the opera by Chevalier de Saint-Georges, with a libretto by Desfontaines after Mme. de Genlis. Conducted by Elliot Figg with Art Direction by Sanford Biggers, L'Amant Anonyme begins performances on Saturday, March 12 for a limited engagement through Sunday, March 20. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:15 PM; Friday & Saturday at 8:15 PM; and Sunday at 3:15 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets are $35 ($24.50 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org. 

This week FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visitwww.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Craving a show after the show?  FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is bringing its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551. FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming event: 

An earthquake romance. A genre-defying song play. With a score by leading contemporary composer John Adams and a libretto by the late poet June Jordan, I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the sky was written as an homage to the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Now, 20 years later, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission presents the Southern California premiere, performed by Long Beach Opera. LBO artistic director Andreas Mitisek conducts a concert staging at the Ford Amphitheatre on Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. as part of the Ford's Zev Yaroslavsky Signature Series.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) presents a unique double-bill of one-act German language operas including Carl Orff's 'The Clever One' and Viktor Ullmann's 'The Emperor of Atlantis,' in four performances today, May 31- June 8, 2014 at the Merle Reskin Theatre of DePaul University (60 E. Balbo). 'The Emperor of Atlantis' ('Der Kaiser von Atlantis') by Viktor Ullmann and 'The Clever One' ('Die Kluge') by Carl Orff are two satires about oppression and dictatorship both written in 1943, but reflecting differing world views: 'Emperor' was composed during Ullman's imprisonment at the Theresienstadt concentration camp and 'Clever One' by an artist working under the Nazi regime's guidelines in Frankfurt, Germany. Both biting satires emphasize a sense of absurdity and ridiculousness while embodying the spirit of traditional German fairytales.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) presents a unique double-bill of one-act German language operas including Carl Orff's "The Clever One" and Viktor Ullmann's "The Emperor of Atlantis," in four performances May 31- June 8, 2014 at the Merle Reskin Theatre of DePaul University (60 E. Balbo). "The Emperor of Atlantis" ("Der Kaiser von Atlantis") by Viktor Ullmann and "The Clever One" ("Die Kluge") by Carl Orff are two satires about oppression and dictatorship both written in 1943, but reflecting differing world views: "Emperor" was composed during Ullman's imprisonment at the Theresienstadt concentration camp and "Clever One" by an artist working under the Nazi regime's guidelines in Frankfurt, Germany. Both biting satires emphasize a sense of absurdity and ridiculousness while embodying the spirit of traditional German fairytales.

The Second City Guide to the Opera, the groundbreaking collaboration by Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City, won Jeff Awards for Best Production: Revue and Best Director: Revue during the 45th annual Jeff Equity Awards gala yesterday. The ceremony took place at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. "This is the first time Lyric Opera of Chicago has been nominated, and to win this prestigious award is truly thrilling," said Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director.

Several alumni and current ensemble members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago are featured artists at music festivals and opera companies at home and around the globe this summer.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Jeff Awards, the Tony Awards (and our BWW Chicago Tony Award Viewing Party!), the return of two special events, 'West Side Story,' upcoming seasons of musicals, and my June 13th cabaret concert, plus more!

The Second City Guide to the Opera, a collaboration of Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City, will have a month-long run onstage at the Civic Opera House May 31-June 30.

Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that the respected stage, film and television actor Patrick Stewart will co-host The Second City Guide to the Opera today, January 5 with internationally renowned soprano and Lyric Opera creative consultant Renée Fleming. The opera-themed comedy-variety show will take place at 8 p.m. in the Ardis Krainik Theatre of the Civic Opera House, N. Wacker Drive and Madison Street.

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today that the respected stage, film and television actor Patrick Stewart will co-host The Second City Guide to the Opera on Saturday, January 5 with internationally renowned soprano and Lyric Opera creative consultant Renée Fleming. The opera-themed comedy-variety show will take place at 8 p.m. in the Ardis Krainik Theatre of the Civic Opera House, N. Wacker Drive and Madison Street.

Lyric Opera of Chicago announces that respected stage, film and television actor, Patrick Stewart, will co-host The Second City Guide to the Opera on Saturday, January 5, with internationally renowned soprano and Lyric Opera creative consultant, Renée Fleming.

Tonight, September 8, at 7:30 p.m., Lyric Opera of Chicago will present its annual gift to the city, a free outdoor concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The concert annually attracts capacity crowds of 11,000+.