Acclaimed Grammy-nominated choral conductor and Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) Music Director Emeritus Paul Salamunovich, whose artistry touched millions of people around the world through recordings, live performances, college and university clinics, and the numerous film scores on which he conducted and sang, has died at age 86 from multiple complications due to West Nile virus.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the West Coast premiere of A Coffin in Egypt, a new chamber opera in one act, based on the play, A Coffin in Egypt by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Horton Foote, for three performances only April 23, 25 and 27 in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. A Coffin in Egypt stars mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, one of opera's most beloved figures, whose formidable bravura has won her wide acclaim. Ricky Ian Gordon, the composer, has also composed The Grapes of Wrath, Rappahannock County, and Orpheus and Euridice. Leonard Foglia, librettist and director, directed Master Class on Broadway and Jake Heggie's Opera Last Acts.
'I'm not a warhorse kind of singer,' mezzo Susan Graham states matter-of-factly. 'A. I'm a mezzo. B. I'm not a character mezzo. C. I'm not a contralto. The iconic opera repertoire for mezzos, Amneris (AIDA), Azucena (IL TROVATORE), even Eboli (DON CARLO)--those kinds of roles aren't my stock and trade because my voice sits high and has a different timbre.' Well, what then is her milieu? It's the likes of Handel, who composed several of the arias she has been singing this winter at the Met, as one of the stars of THE ENCHANTED ISLAND, a kind of Baroque 'jukebox opera.' But it's also Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING & I, which she is doing this June at the Chatelet in Paris.
Minnesota Opera presents a major new revival of Dominick Argento's The Dream of Valentino as the sixth production of the New Works Initiative. A sultry young dancer is transformed from an unknown immigrant into a silent film sensation. Rudolph Valentino's stardom blazes across the silver screen but is quickly consumed by the same forces that ignited it. Seduction and scandal swirl in this tango-tinged opera about an artist discovered and destroyed by Hollywood. Composed by Argento with a libretto by Charles Nolte as a joint commission between Washington and Dallas opera companies, the work received its world premiere in 1994 at The Kennedy Center, where it was described by the Chicago Tribune as “visually and theatrically ... a thumping success.”
Minnesota Opera presents a major new revival of Dominick Argento's The Dream of Valentino as the sixth production of the New Works Initiative. A sultry young dancer is transformed from an unknown immigrant into a silent film sensation. Rudolph Valentino's stardom blazes across the silver screen but is quickly consumed by the same forces that ignited it. Seduction and scandal swirl in this tango-tinged opera about an artist discovered and destroyed by Hollywood. Composed by Argento with a libretto by Charles Nolte as a joint commission between Washington and Dallas opera companies, the work received its world premiere in 1994 at The Kennedy Center, where it was described by the Chicago Tribune as “visually and theatrically ... a thumping success.”
Minneapolis—Minnesota Opera's production of Kevin Puts' Silent Night, a company commission which earned its composer the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Music, will be broadcast nationally on PBS, presented by tpt National Productions, tonight, December 13 at 9pm ET (check local listings).
Minneapolis—Minnesota Opera's world premiere of Kevin Puts' Silent Night, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Music, will be broadcast nationally on PBS, presented by Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) National Productions, beginning Friday, December 13 at 9pm ET/8pm CT (check for broadcast dates and times in your local market at mnop.co/silent-night-broadcast-schedule).
Today, December 7 marks the cultural high point of Rhode Island's holiday season, when the RHODE ISLAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA joins forces with THE PROVIDENCE SINGERS, CHRISTINE NOEL, artistic director, in their seventh annual performance of George Frideric Handel's MESSIAH. Soloists include soprano MARTHA GUTH, mezzo-soprano ABIGAIL FISCHER, tenor CHRISTOPHER HUTCHINSON, and bass-baritone MATTHEW BURNS . The Philharmonic's Resident Conductor FRANCISCO NOYAconducts. The perennial favorite holiday concert features a family-friendly start time of 7:00pm today December 7 at The Vets in Providence. WPRO News Talk 630 is the media sponsor. Tickets (starting at $15) are available at www.riphil.org/tickets and the RIPO box office at 401.248.7000.
Minneapolis—Minnesota Opera's production of Kevin Puts' Silent Night, a company commission which earned its composer the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Music, will be broadcast nationally on PBS, presented by tpt National Productions, on Friday, December 13 at 9pm ET (check local listings).
Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Chamber Singers (OSSCS) launch a stunning 44th season with a dynamic new music director, Clinton Smith and a compelling roster of seven concerts inspired by different facets of the human spirit. Smith's inaugural OSSCS concert, titled Love and Adoration, is at 7:30 p.m. tonight, September 28th at the First Free Methodist Church on Queen Anne.
Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Chamber Singers (OSSCS) launch a stunning 44th season with a dynamic new music director, Clinton Smith and a compelling roster of seven concerts inspired by different facets of the human spirit. Smith's inaugural OSSCS concert, titled Love and Adoration, is at 7:30 p.m. on September 28th at the First Free Methodist Church on Queen Anne.
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 Los Angeles Philharmonic's classical season at the Hollywood Bowl opens with celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas leading the orchestra in Mahler's Second Symphony ('Resurrection') with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and soprano Kiera Duffy and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, tonight, July 9, at 8 pm. Tilson Thomas continues the opening week of the Bowl classical season, leading one of the world's greatest violinists, Gil Shaham, in Sibelius' Violin Concerto, Thursday, July 11, at 8 pm.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic's classical season at the Hollywood Bowl opens with celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas leading the orchestra in Mahler's Second Symphony ('Resurrection') with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and soprano Kiera Duffy and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke,Tuesday, July 9, at 8 pm. Tilson Thomas continues the opening week of the Bowl classical season, leading one of the world's greatest violinists, Gil Shaham, in Sibelius' Violin Concerto, Thursday, July 11, at 8 pm.
Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Chamber Singers (OSSCS) launch their 44th season with a dynamic new music director, Clinton Smith. After the tragic death of founder and visionary George Shangrow in 2010, OSSCS mounted an exhaustive search for a new music director that culminated in the 2012-2013 season, where six music director finalists each conducted one concert. Clinton Smith conducted the March 16, 2013 concert featuring pieces by Haydn, Gluck, Bizet and Copland. Audience and community feedback was a critical component in the decision-making process. As Board President Pro Tem Paula Rimmer summarized, "Clinton's rapport with our singers and instrumentalists was instantaneous. He has a deep understanding of OSSCS' history, exciting ideas for the future, and a truly exuberant love of music. We are thrilled to welcome him into our community."
The Dallas Opera has announced the result of this year's balloting for the 2013 "Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year" Award: American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, who made an unforgettable Dallas Opera stage debut in the Winspear just a few short weeks ago.
More than half a century of artistic excellence and community engagement has earned The Dallas Opera a major role in shaping the national/international cultural reputation of Dallas. TDO has also made-and continues to make-an important contribution to the economic impact of the performing arts in North Texas.
The Dallas Opera presents Dominick Argento's riveting 1988 opera, THE ASPERN PAPERS, in a brand-new production to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of its TDO world premiere. THE ASPERN PAPERS will open tonight, April 12, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.
The Dallas Opera presents Dominick Argento's riveting 1988 opera, THE ASPERN PAPERS, in a brand-new production to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of its TDO world premiere. THE ASPERN PAPERS will open on the evening of Friday, April 12, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.
New York City Opera opens its spring 2013 season with a new production of Powder Her Face (1995), composed by Thomas Ades (b.1971) to a libretto by Philip Hensher (b. 1965).
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