Christian Zaremba News

Portland Opera will present the West Coast premiere of a double bill of two contemporary works, The Difficulty of Crossing a Field and Pulitzer Prize-winning The Little Match Girl Passion on July 28 - the first of four performances.

Well, three cheers for On Site Opera, for completing its trilogy of works based on Beaumarchais' 18th century 'Figaro' plays and digging deep into the repertoire to deliver some lesser known works. First, a BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA not by Rossini (theirs, by Giovanni Paisiello) and then a FIGARO not by Mozart (instead, Marcos Portugal). This week, the whip-smart company presented the American premiere, in partnership with the Darius Milhaud Society, of Milhaud's LA MERE COUPABLE (THE GUILTY MOTHER), based on the least known and, to some, the unknown, among the Beaumarchais plays.

Known for staging “the ultimate in intimate productions” (The New York Times), On Site Opera (OSO) presents the U.S. premiere and new site-specific production of Darius Milhaud's La mère coupable (The Guilty Mother). For the premiere, OSO partners with the Darius Milhaud Society and the award-winning International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE). The site-specific production celebrates the 125th birthday of Milhaud and is dedicated to Katharine Warne, composer and founder of the Darius Milhaud Society. La mère coupable also marks the completion of OSO's three-year Figaro Project, in which the company is staging lesser-known operatic adaptations of French playwright Beaumarchais' (1732-1799) famed trilogy of Figaro plays.

Known for staging "the ultimate in intimate productions" (The New York Times), On Site Opera (OSO) will present a trio of exciting new site-specific opera productions in 2017.

Minnesota Opera presents its co-production of a dynamic and engaging staging of Mozart's The Magic Flute with LA Opera. Mozart's masterful comedy about love, truth and the pursuit of enlightenment is richly reimagined in this boundary-busting production. Connecting the tale's enduring meaning with modern metaphor, this extraordinary staging combines live performance and film animation to delve deeply into the opera's surreal magic, odd characters and crazy love. Check out a sneak peek below!

Minnesota Opera presents its co-production of a dynamic and engaging staging of Mozart's The Magic Flute with LA Opera. Mozart's masterful comedy about love, truth and the pursuit of enlightenment is richly reimagined in this boundary-busting production. Connecting the tale's enduring meaning with modern metaphor, this extraordinary staging combines live performance and film animation to delve deeply into the opera's surreal magic, odd characters and crazy love. Check out a sneak peek below!

Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its co-production of a dynamic and engaging staging of Mozart's The Magic Flute with LA Opera. Mozart's masterful comedy about love, truth and the pursuit of enlightenment is richly reimagined in this boundary-busting production. Connecting the tale's enduring meaning with modern metaphor, this extraordinary staging combines live performance and film animation to delve deeply into the opera's surreal magic, odd characters and crazy love.

Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its co-production of a dynamic and engaging staging of Mozart's The Magic Flute with LA Opera. Mozart's masterful comedy about love, truth and the pursuit of enlightenment is richly reimagined in this boundary-busting production. Connecting the tale's enduring meaning with modern metaphor, this extraordinary staging combines live performance and film animation to delve deeply into the opera's surreal magic, odd characters and crazy love.

Minnesota Opera announces its 2014–2015 season, which presents a world premiere, a company premiere, two masterpieces not seen at Minnesota Opera in nearly three decades and a new production of an operatic blockbuster. All five productions are new to Minnesota audiences.

Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its season opening, in which the irresistible lure of money seduces the beautiful Manon, triggering her downfall. But true love is her redemption in this soulful opera by the composer of La bohème, Madame Butterfly andTurandot. Manon Lescaut was Puccini's third opera and his first major success. Defending his work against another opera based on the 1731 novel by the Abbé Prévost, Puccini said, “Manon is a heroine I believe in, and therefore she cannot fail to win the hearts of the public. Why shouldn't there be two operas about Manon? A woman like Manon can have more than one lover.” He added, “Massenet feels it as a Frenchman, with powder and minuets. I shall feel it as an Italian, with a desperate passion.”

Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its season opening, in which the irresistible lure of money seduces the beautiful Manon, triggering her downfall. But true love is her redemption in this soulful opera by the composer of La bohème, Madame Butterfly andTurandot. Manon Lescaut was Puccini's third opera and his first major success. Defending his work against another opera based on the 1731 novel by the Abbé Prévost, Puccini said, “Manon is a heroine I believe in, and therefore she cannot fail to win the hearts of the public. Why shouldn't there be two operas about Manon? A woman like Manon can have more than one lover.” He added, “Massenet feels it as a Frenchman, with powder and minuets. I shall feel it as an Italian, with a desperate passion.”

Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce casting updates for the 2013–2014 season, which boasts three company premieres and five productions new to Minnesota audiences. Based on anticipated demand, the boundary-busting production of The Magic Flutewill receive nine performances. Other season highlights include James Valenti starring in the premiere of a revised The Dream of Valentino by Dominick Argento as part of Minnesota Opera's New Works Initiative; Kelly Kaduce in an opulent production of Puccini's soulful Manon Lescaut; Jacquelyn Wagner, Elizabeth Futral, Brian Jagde and Craig Irvin in a stylish production of Strauss' romantic comedy, Arabella; and Verdi's chilling take on the Shakespearean thriller, Macbeth, starring Brenda Harris and Greer Grimsley. Minnesota Opera is also pleased to announce the roster for the 2013–2014 Resident Artist Program, as well as unveil a new website.

The Glimmerglass Festival's theater was filled Saturday night with the light sound of dancers' footsteps, the melodic voices of children and the practiced tones of adult soloists, at the premiere of Passions. This double bill is comprised of late period baroque composer Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and the Pulitzer Prize-winning the little match girl passion by David Lang. Check out a first look at the productions below!

Hudson Valley Singers present their Autumn 2012 Season, featuring the music of Henry Purcell, conducted by Eugene Sirotkine and joined by the New York Metamorphoses Ensemble. Performances will take place tonight, December 8, 2012 at 7:30pm at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church (552 West End Avenue, NYC and on December 9, 2012 at 3pm at The Presbyterian Church of White Plains (39 North Broadway, White Plains, NY).

Hudson Valley Singers present their Autumn 2012 Season, featuring the music of Henry Purcell, conducted by Eugene Sirotkine and joined by the New York Metamorphoses Ensemble. Performances will take place on December 8, 2012 at 7:30pm at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church (552 West End Avenue, NYC and on December 9, 2012 at 3pm at The Presbyterian Church of White Plains (39 North Broadway, White Plains, NY).

Irma la Douce Presented by Musicals Tonight will open Oct. 14, 2008 at McGinn/Cazale Theatre at Broadway and 76th Street.