Giacomo Puccini News

Opera in the Heights (Oh!) presents Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme as the second offering of its 21st season, opening Friday, Nov. 11. The story follows a group of starving artists and lifelong friends who find joy amid poverty and transcendent love in the face of tragedy.

San Francisco Opera's 2016-17 Season continues with ten performances of Giacomo Puccini's heartbreaking drama Madama Butterfly, November 6 through December 4 at the War Memorial Opera House. The cast will feature the much-anticipated American debut of young Italian tenor Vincenzo Costanzo as Lt. B.F. Pinkerton and return of Armenian soprano Lianna Haroutounian as the tragic heroine, Cio-Cio-San. Jun Kaneko's colorful and compelling production, last seen in San Francisco during the 2013-14 Season, will be directed by Leslie Swackhamer and Maestro Yves Abel conducts the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Ever since Tosca, Puccini's "shabby little shocker," premiered at Rome's Teatro Costanizi on January 14, 1900 critics have decided the work, yet begged the question - what gives Tosca its universal appeal?

Bob Bernhardt, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Principal Pops Conductor hosts an entertaining lecture series, Bob's Bootcamps.  The series takes a behind the scenes look at the lives and works of musicians, composers, music theory, and other musical topics.  The first Bootcamp of the 2016/17 season will be held at the Chattanooga Brewing Company on Thursday, October 13th beginning at 7:00pm and will explore John William's music from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Cost is $20 and includes a free drink and hors d'oeuvres.

There is something magical and mystical about Puccini's much loved Madame Butterfly, in that it can fill an opera house with wonder. And Kentucky Opera's latest production did just that I am happy to say.

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 better part of a decade founder, curator and host soprano Allison Charney has presented one of NYC's most compelling concert series in collaboration with the JCC Manhattan's Lambert Center for Arts + Ideas in New York's Upper West Side. Billed as 'presenting celebrated classical musicians just before they take on the worlds' most prestigious stages' 'PREformances with Allison Charney' does just that, in an intimate concert experience where the relationship between artist and audience is heightened and reimagined. Scroll down for photos from the eighth season kick-off concert!

The current offering from the Houston Ballet, MADAME BUTTERFLY with SON OF CHAMBER SYMPHONY, is a study of contrasts - economy and luxury.

Houston Ballet principal dancer Yuriko Kajiya performs the part of Cio-Cio San in Houston Ballet's MADAME BUTTERFLY for the first time this Saturday, but she isn't daunted by playing the lead in one of Stanton Welch's signature pieces. She's excited.

San Francisco Opera today announced cast updates for the upcoming productions of Leoš Jana?ek's The Makropulos Case and Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly. The role of Albert Gregor in The Makropulos Case will now feature American tenor Charles Workman in his Company debut, replacing Scott Quinn who has withdrawn due to personal reasons. Italian tenor Vincenzo Costanzo will make his United States opera debut as Lt. B. F. Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly in lieu of Maxim Aksenov who has withdrawn for personal reasons.

Opera Naples has announced its first opera of the  "Come Alive!" 2016/2017 season, Puccini's Turandot, performed at Artis Naples on November 9, 2016 at 8pm. It's chilling storyline includes a vengeful, beautiful princess playing a deadly game of riddles with noble pursuers and a prince that challenges her to the very end. This international favorite will be scheduled for one night only at Artis Naples located at 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard.

Opera Columbus continues its innovative Opera on the Edge program in the 2016-17 season, presenting an hour-long, abridged, English-language adaptation of Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme. Opera on the Edge performances are designed to provide an introduction to opera for those who have no experience with the art form or who may not be inclined to attend a traditional opera performance in a theatre.

Fifty women will leave everything behind. They board a boat in North Africa and flee across the Mediterranean. They are escaping forced marriage in their homeland, hoping for protection and assistance, seeking asylum in Greece.

THE OCEAN GROVE CAMP MEETING ASSOCIATION (OGCMA) will close its 2016 season of Great Family Entertainment today, September 10th with 'BRAVO, PUCCINI: AN EVENING OF OPERATIC SOLOS, ARIAS AND DUETS,' featuring The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea conducted by New Jersey's beloved Father Alphonse Stephenson and narrated by the acclaimed musical educator Edward Perretti.

This was an evening of nothing but highlights.

Michael Egel, General and Artistic Director of Des Moines Metro Opera, has announced the repertory for the 2017 Summer Festival Season and 2nd Stages Series.

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.

Miami Lyric Opera will present TOSCA this month at South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center. 

THE OCEAN GROVE CAMP MEETING ASSOCIATION (OGCMA) will close its 2016 season of Great Family Entertainment on Saturday, September 10th with 'BRAVO, PUCCINI: AN EVENING OF OPERATIC SOLOS, ARIAS AND DUETS,' featuring The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea conducted by New Jersey's beloved Father Alphonse Stephenson and narrated by the acclaimed musical educator Edward Perretti.

 Pittsburgh Opera announces its 2016-2017 season. The season includes the very first world premiere in our 78 year history and two Pennsylvania premieres. The season will encompass four operas produced at the Benedum Center and two Resident Artist operas - the annual production at Pittsburgh CAPA Theater and the Second Stage Project at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters.