Denyce Graves News

The 2013-2014 season of Washington National Opera (WNO) has just been announced by Artistic Director Francesca Zambello. The season includes Tristan and Isolde, a new production of The Force of Destiny, the East Coast premiere of Moby-Dick, The Elixir of Love, and a new production of The Magic Flute. WNO will also present the world premiere of The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me, a holiday-themed family opera commissioned by WNO and written by acclaimed American composer Jeanine Tesori. A second season of the American Opera Initiative will continue WNO's efforts to commission new American works.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City closes its 55th season with Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, April 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2013 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

On Monday, March 11, at 8:00 p.m., the versatile and commanding mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, joined by frequent collaborator, pianist Warren Jones, makes her Carnegie Hall recital debut in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage with a deeply personal program of American song. Ms. Blythe's program features Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson, a set of songs written for her by the late composer James Legg, and Samuel Barber's Three Songs, Op. 10, powerful settings of three poems by James Joyce. Also featured are songs by Tin Pan Alley songwriters Ray Henderson, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin.

Ann Wallenmeyer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arizona Musicfest, today announced the appointment of Allan E. Naplan as Executive Director, effective February 1, 2013. Allan Naplan has enjoyed a twenty-year career as a performing artist, composer, educator and arts administrator. Most recently, he served as President and General Director of Minnesota Opera.

One of the country's most prestigious musical institutions, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music comes to New York City in January for a tour -- spanning four concerts in four venues -- that includes performances by the Oberlin Faculty Jazz Ensemble, Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble with International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Oberlin College Choir, Oberlin Baroque and the Oberlin Orchestra.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature -The Regional Opera Company of the Week! This week's featured Opera Company is Opera Colorado in Denver celebrating its 30th anniversary!

The ever-growing roster of celebrated artists at the World of Art Showcase (www.worldofartshowcase.com) now includes Nelson Shanks, a Pennsylvania-based realist painter who is one of only two American artists ever to be invited by the Russian Academy of Art in Moscow to stage an exhibition. His work, including portraits of Princess Diana, President Bill Clinton and the last portrait of Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich painted before his death, was simultaneously featured in 2011 at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.

One of the country's most prestigious musical institutions, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music comes to New York City in January for a tour -- spanning four concerts in four venues -- that includes performances by the Oberlin Faculty Jazz Ensemble, Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble with International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Oberlin College Choir, Oberlin Baroque and the Oberlin Orchestra.

The HistoryMakers will welcome and honor Berry Gordy, Jr., founder of Motown Records, during AN EVENING WITH BERRY GORDY on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at The Art Institute of Chicago.

ELIANE ELIAS will perform in Three Stages tonight, October 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Barbara Cook returns to Carnegie Hall to celebrate her 85th birthday tonight, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. with a special performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City today announced new casting information for its upcoming production of The Mikado, which will open April 20, 2013 in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for the Company's second season at the Kauffman Center are on sale now.

O Sole Trio, one of New York City's leading cabaret acts, with soprano Erin Shields and baritone Giuseppe Spoletini, vocals; and David Shenton, piano and violin; will be bringing their exhilarating and unique show that captures the essence of Italy and features a program that showcases a cornucopia of beloved Italian opera arias, popular Neapolitan songs as well as jazz standards made popular by such singers as Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee and Rosemary Cloney, to various venues throughout New York and New Jersey.

ELIANE ELIAS will perform in Three Stages on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm

O Sole Trio, one of New York City's leading cabaret acts, with soprano Erin Shields and baritone Giuseppe Spoletini, vocals; and David Shenton, piano and violin; will be bringing their exhilarating and unique show that captures the essence of Italy and features a program that showcases a cornucopia of beloved Italian opera arias, popular Neapolitan songs as well as jazz standards made popular by such singers as Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee and Rosemary Cloney, to various venues throughout New York and New Jersey.

The ever-growing roster of celebrated artists at the World of Art Showcase (www.worldofartshowcase.com) now includes Nelson Shanks, a Pennsylvania-based realist painter who is one of only two American artists ever to be invited by the Russian Academy of Art in Moscow to stage an exhibition. His work, including portraits of Princess Diana, President Bill Clinton and the last portrait of Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich painted before his death, was simultaneously featured in 2011 at the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.

Barbara Cook returns to Carnegie Hall to celebrate her 85th birthday on Thursday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. with a special performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced that mezzo-soprano J'nai Bridges, recipient of the 2012 Marian Anderson Award-a grant for American singers in mid-career-will perform a free recital in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater tonight, September 10, 2012 at 6 p.m.

The Hartt School Community Division (HCD) announces Celesti Sondato's 4th season and a new music director, Bryan Zaros of Avon, Conn. An accomplished and award winning conductor, Mr. Zaros has conducted choirs in nine different countries and has performed at some of the most celebrated performance venues, including the Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, and on NBC's Today show. Celesti Sondato is the HCD Adult Chamber Choir, an auditioned SATB ensemble with a tradition of performing varied choral literature, premiering new works, and collaborating with local ensembles throughout the year.