Duane Schuler News

Dear Readers, it's been quite a year and, hopefully, we've come through it unscathed. God knows we've needed some shows to help us escape and others to make us think. But through it all we've had several shows that have proven to shine as some of the best of the year. Out of all the shows I was fortunate enough to see this year, I've selected a few that stood out. Here are those stand outs, a few honorable mentions and a few special mentions about which I just couldn't help myself but to mention in their own special way.

Verdi's Rigoletto, a searing exploration of patriarchy, power, and commerce, returns to the Canadian Opera Company this winter with a production from acclaimed American director Christopher Alden. A tragedy on a Shakespearean scale, the opera is brought to life by an all-star cast and conducted by pre-eminent American maestro Stephen Lord. Ten performances take place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on January 20, 27, February 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 17, 21, and 23, 2018.

American soprano Ailyn P rez makes her role debut as the glamorous courtesan in the title role of Tha s, opening November 11 for seven performances.

American soprano Ailyn P rez makes her role debut as the glamorous courtesan in the title role of Tha s, opening November 11 for seven performances.

This holiday season Lorna Luft, the beloved performer and daughter of film and television icon Judy Garland, will star as Louise in The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, which began rehearsals this week.

RAGTIME runs at 5th Avenue Theatre through November 5, and the critics are weighing in!

RAGTIME runs at 5th Avenue theatre through November 5! With scintillating music and an intensely compelling story of love at its core, RAGTIME is a musical theater masterpiece that will inspire and touch your soul. It's the turn of the century; everything is changing. Set in the volatile melting pot of New York City, three distinct American stories are woven together: an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician, all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced full casting for its evocative new production of Ragtime, which begins rehearsals today. A tale of family, heart and perseverance at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime is a vital story about the headstrong and determined individuals and their families who helped make the United States a diverse and thriving nation.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced full casting for its evocative new production of Ragtime, which begins rehearsals today. A tale of family, heart and perseverance at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime is a vital story about the headstrong and determined individuals and their families who helped make the United States a diverse and thriving nation.

CARMEN, the title character in Georges Bizet's opera, is a young woman who wants the social freedoms nineteenth century men simply took for granted. Sung magnificently by Ana Maria Martinez, Carmen is suave and self-confident, but enroute to certain destruction. Currently, L A Opera is offering an excellent performance of this beloved opera that Angelinos should not miss.

General Director Placido Domingo has announced that due to overwhelming ticket demand, LA Opera has added a seventh performance of the company's season-opening production of Carmen, conducted by Music Director James Conlon and starring company favorite Ana Maria Martinez. Tickets for this newly scheduled performance on September 28 are on sale as of today.

The Dallas Opera announces its magnificent kick-off event of the 2017-2018 Season FIRST NIGHT. Dedicated philanthropists Dianne and Mark H. LaRoe chair the festivities and Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger are Honorary Chairs. The Presenting Sponsor is Deutsche Bank Wealth Management.

The Dallas Opera is proud to announce the names of the six distinguished professionals selected to participate in the third annual residency of the Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera taking place November 5 - 19, 2017 in Dallas, Texas:

The Dallas Opera is delighted to announce the winner of the 2017 "Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year" Award: luminous Italian-American soprano Marina Costa-Jackson.

General Director Plácido Domingo has announced final casting details for LA Opera's upcoming production of Giacomo Puccini's thrilling masterpiece, Tosca, conducted by Music Director James Conlon.

In connection with its twenty-year commitment to address a long-standing gender imbalance at podiums throughout the opera world, The Dallas Opera is delighted to announce that this year's annual reunion of the Fellows of the Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera will take place at the famed War Memorial in San Francisco, California, in partnership with the San Francisco Opera.

American Ballet Theatre's 2017 Spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House, May 15-July 8, will feature the New York Premiere of Alexei Ratmansky's Whipped Cream and the Company Premiere of Ratmansky's Souvenir d'un lieu cher. Tickets for ABT's Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House go on sale at the box office on Sunday, March 26 at 12 Noon.

A menagerie of fantastical creatures, colors, and sounds awaits at Seattle Opera's The Magic Flutethis May. Prince Tamino and his comical sidekick Papageno set out to rescue The Queen of the Night's daughter. But their quest takes on unexpected turns as they soon realize not all is as it seems in this fairytale land.

The Dallas Opera is thrilled to present the block-buster of the season, Giacomo Puccini'sheart-wrenching MADAME BUTTERFLY. With its poignant melodies, memorable characters, and intriguing storyline, it's the must-see opera for newcomers a perennial favorite of aficionados. The stellar international cast features one of today's most famous interpreters of the role of Cio-Cio-San, (Butterfly), the extraordinary Chinese soprano Hui He, as well as Italian tenor Gianluca Terranova (Lt. B.F. Pinkerton); each in their Dallas Opera debuts.  Renowned Italian conductor Donato Renzetti will be at the podium in this San Francisco Opera production directed by the distinguished British stage director, John Copley.

General Director Plácido Domingo announced complete casting details for LA Opera's upcoming presentation of Richard Strauss's Salome, to be conducted by Music Director James Conlon. A revival of the production originally staged by Sir Peter Hall during the company's inaugural season, Salome will star soprano Patricia Racette in the title role, her fifth leading role in Los Angeles. Performances will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012) from February 18 through March 19.