Giacomo Puccini News

Sierra Boggess rocketed to musical theatre stardom when she originated the role of Christine Daae in 2006's PHANTOM: THE LAS VEGAS SPECTACULAR. She has returned to the iconic role of Christine Daae for the West End production of LOVE NEVER DIES, the 25th Anniversary Concert of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at London's Royal Albert Hall, and the 25th Anniversary of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Broadway's Majestic Theatre. Along the way, she has also starred as Ariel in Disney Theatricals' THE LITTLE MERMAID and Fantine in LES MISERABLES, among others. Recently, Broadway Records released her charming debut album, AWAKENING: Live at 54 BELOW, which was recorded during her August 2013 cabaret debut at the prized intimate venue.

After enormous success during their 46th Season, the Gallery Players has renewed their GalleryTalks. GalleryTalks is a series of post-show conversations that offer an enlightening and entertaining look into aspects of each production in The Gallery Players season lineup. The series is moderated by GalleryTalks Producer Barrie Gelles-scholar, theatre director, and alumnus of the Gallery Players., having produced the Black Box New Play Festival for three consecutive years.

Andrea Bocelli received a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, from the Giacomo Puccini Conservatory in La Spezia, Italy. His CD/DVD, Love in Portofino, was released the same day. The 55-year-old Italian tenor also has a degree in Law from the University of Pisa.

Contrary to an earlier report, young actors Julia Abueva and Tanya Manalang, recently announced to be playing ensemble in the record-breaking West End revival of 'Miss Saigon,' will be covering--not alternating for--the female lead, Kim.

American soprano Patricia Racette, known throughout the world for her portrayal of Cio-Cio-San (a.k.a. Madama Butterfly), will star in the Lyric Opera of Chicago production of Puccini's ever-popular masterpiece, Madama Butterfly, which opens at Lyric on Saturday, January 11. There will be six performances – Jan. 11, 14, 17, and 20 beginning at 7:30pm, and Jan. 23 and 26 beginning at 2pm.

The State Opera of South Australia are restaging the 1997 production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. It was last seen here in 2006 and so popular is this production that it is back again.

The Daily Mail writes that Cameron Mackintosh has cast 17-year-old Eva Noblezada -- a Charlotte, NC native -- in the lead role of Kim in the upcoming West End revival of Miss Saigon. Noblezada was discovered by casting director Tara Rubin at the 2013 Jimmy Awards in New York City.

Am Off Broadway spielte RENT 12 Jahre lang und ist mit uber 5.000 Vorstellungen eines der am langsten laufenden Musicals. Ausgezeichnet wurde RENT mit dem renommierten Pulitzer-Preis als bestes Drama, sowie vier Tony Awards fur das beste Musical. In Hamburg, einem der weltweit großten Musicalstandorte, wird RENT dazu beitragen, die Off-Kultur der Musicals zu beleben und die bestehende Lucke zwischen kommerzieller und burgerlich-intellektueller Buhne zu schließen.

North Shore Music Theatre's (NSMT) production of Claude-Michel Schonberg, Richard Maltby Jr., and Alain Boublil's phenomenal popera “Miss Saigon,” which ran for a limited time, starring Jennifer Paz (Kim) and Jason Forbach (Chris), officially closed yesterday. Interestingly, real-life couple Jennifer and Anthony Fedorov's seven-month-old son, Julian, also made his professional stage debut in the show's final performance!

After enormous success during their 46th Season, the Gallery Players has renewed their GalleryTalks. GalleryTalks is a series of post-show conversations that offer an enlightening and entertaining look into aspects of each production in The Gallery Players season lineup. The series is moderated by GalleryTalks Producer Barrie Gelles—scholar, theatre director, and alumnus of the Gallery Players., having produced the Black Box New Play Festival for three consecutive years.

The Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric's Artistic Director James Harp has announced the third annual opera season at the new Modell Lyric. Two grand operas will be featured-Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's Nabucco-and Toujours L'Amour, the third in our gala concert series celebrating French grand opera.

Another important recognition was received this Thursday, October 24, 2013, by the Acclaimed Italian Tenor Luciano Lamonarca (resident of Westchester County). This time it was Hon. Thomas DiNapoli, the New York State Comptroller, who honored him with a Proclamation for artistic merit. It follows a previous one issued on October 7, 2013, by the Westchester County Executive, Hon. Robert Astorino.

The Asia Pacific Tour of DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING? revealed today on its Facebook page that Boublil and Schonberg have penned a new tune for Miss Saigon called 'Leave Him?' DO YOU HEAR will debut the song during its season at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in November 2013, and one wonders if the tune would be used in the upcoming revival in the West End.

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) celebrates the year of Italian culture in America with its new production of Giacomo Puccini's Suor Angelica and Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. Verismo Opera presents the grand production live with a full cast today, October 20, 3:00 p.m., at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has announced its January 2014 lineup. Details below!

The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (Verismo Opera) pays tribute in its 24th season to the Year of Italian Culture in the United States with the double bill of Giacomo Puccini's sentimental tragedy Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica) and Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry). Under Artistic Director Lucine Amara, one of the Metropolitan Opera's most luminary performers, the company presents each opera with a full cast onSunday, October 20, 3:00 p.m., at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, in Englewood, New Jersey. The bergenPAC is handicapped accessible.

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth today announced Utah Opera's complete 2013-2014 season on Classical 89.1 FM, during which the company will celebrate 35 years of opera in Utah.

For the first time since the 1985-86 season, a new-to-Chicago production of Puccini's beloved Madama Butterfly is about to open its wings at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

A spokesperson for Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Boublil and Schonberg's legendary musical 'Miss Saigon,' said today, 'The casting is not yet completed for 'Miss Saigon' and will not be until later in the year as the Director, Laurence Connor, is currently directing 'Les Miserables' in Toronto. No decision has yet been taken about who will play Gigi.'

The Atlanta Opera opens its 2013-2014 season with a production of Giacomo Puccini's dramatic tour de force, Tosca. Tosca will be presented on October 5, 8, 11 and 13 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and will be directed by new General and Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun, who joined the Opera on June 1. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!