Heinrich Heine News

Melodia Women's Choir, New York's premier ensemble for women's choral music, led by artistic director Cynthia Powell, celebrates 15 years of bringing women's choral music to the world with a 15th-anniversary concert Autumn Fire, a program featuring a lovely set of motets by siblings Felix Mendelssohn and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, as well as the harp mass Harfenmesse: Missa Advocata Nostra by Johann Kaspar Aiblinger, and Josef Rheinberger's ethereal Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen.

Future Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts his first Wagner opera with the company, Der Fliegende Holländer, beginning April 25. The opera, which has not been seen at the Met since 2010, featuresMichael Volle as the Dutchman, the ghostly sailor damned to sail the seas in search of the love that will set him free. Amber Wagner sings the role of Senta, opposite Jay Hunter Morris as the huntsman Erik. The cast also features Dolora Zajick as Senta's nurse Mary with Ben Bliss as the Steersman and Franz-Josef Selig as Senta's father Daland. 

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet in collaboration with Chicago Public Library present four world premieres in the seventh annual Winning Works program, the culmination of Joffrey's national call for ALAANA (African, Latino(a), Asian, Arab and Native American) artists to submit applications for the Joffrey Academy's Seventh Annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition.

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet in collaboration with Chicago Public Library present four world premieres in the seventh annual Winning Works program, the culmination of Joffrey's national call for ALAANA (African, Latino(a), Asian, Arab and Native American) artists to submit applications for the Joffrey Academy's Seventh Annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition.

Presented during The Austin's Opera's 30th anniversary season, THE FLYING DUTCHMAN commands the historic Long Center's stage with a diverse, collective cast and belting operatic sequences. The origins of the story of The Flying Dutchman are rather skewed between timelines. The story first appeared in Travels in various parts Europe, Asia, and Africa in 1790 by John MacDonald, and again when Richard Wagner's operatic rendition came to life in 1843, after being adapted from an episode of Heinrich Heine's satirical novel The Memoirs of Mister von Schnabelewopski. More modernly, the story of The Flying Dutchman is told through the highly loved film series, The Pirates of The Carribean. Regardless of the interpretations by creative minds, one fact remains true - The Flying Dutchman refers to a ghostly ship destined to sail the seas for all eternity. Richard Wagner's rendition, sure to please both critics and audiences alike, is bringing this haunted tale to life with the reputation of precision that precedes The Austin Opera.

LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture announces the 2016/2017 LABA Fellows, consisting of a group of twelve culture-makers-a mix of visual artists, writers, dancers, musicians, actors and others, who are brought together to study classic Jewish texts in a non-religious, open-minded setting centered on a chosen theme.

The award-winning Young People's Chorus of New York City and Artistic Director and Founder Francisco J. Nuñez continue their groundbreaking Transient Glory new music series with the world premieres of six choral works for young voices in concerts at National Sawdust on Today, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. and Merkin Concert Hall on Sunday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m.

 Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE), currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, presents its unique program Flights of Fantasy at the Loreto Theater at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture on Friday, October 14 at 8:00 p.m. and in a collaborative performance with New York University students at NYU's Loewe Theater on Monday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m.

The critically-acclaimed 2015 Wexford Festival Opera production of Pietro Mascagni's Guglielmo Ratcliff is now available on CD on the RTE lyric fm label in association with Wexford Festival Opera. 

The award-winning Young People's Chorus of New York City and Artistic Director and Founder Francisco J. Nuñez continue their groundbreaking Transient Glory new music series with the world premieres of six choral works for young voices in concerts at National Sawdust on Friday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. and Merkin Concert Hall on Sunday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m.

 Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE), currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, presents its unique program Flights of Fantasy at the Loreto Theater at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture on Friday, October 14 at 8:00 p.m. and in a collaborative performance with New York University students at NYU's Loewe Theater on Monday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Ned Averill-Snell as Hickey brilliantly leads a strong cast in bringing this mammoth show to life.

Soprano Talya Lieberman and baritone Edward Nelson, joined on piano by former San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow Allen Perriello end the 32nd season of the Schwabacher Debut Recitals on Sunday, May 3 at Temple Emanu-El's Martin Meyer Sanctuary. The Merola Opera Program alumni will present an eclectic program showcasing works by Nico Muhly, Francis Poulenc, Henry Purcell, Franz Schubert and Kurt Weill. Also on the program, will be works of popular German lieder as well as poems by noted American female poets set to music by American composers.

Sadness and joy is a recurring motif in music. In Jan Marans' provocative play, Old Wicked Songs, it is a motif that is played out both figuratively and musically. In Marans' play Viennese music professor Josef Mashkan points out that only those who have suffered can truly emote beautiful music. Countries that have seen centuries of war and oppression can express music more passionately than those that haven't (which, he claims is why there are no true great British, American, or Japanese composers).

As the lights went down on the 63rd Wexford Festival Opera, Festival organisers reported an increase in overall ticket sales for this internationally renowned opera festival. Over 20,000 tickets were sold for the 12 day Festival, which featured three mainstage operas and a number of Shortworks operas and other daytime events.

Northrop at the University of Minnesota reopens today, April 4, 8:00 pm with its Northrop Inside Out Grand Reopening Gala. The opening night gala features American Ballet Theatre, America's National Ballet Company performing the classic romantic ballet Giselle with live orchestra, a post-performance dessert and champagne reception, and Northrop Inside Out After Dark dance party featuring a live DJ and special performances.

Northrop at the University of Minnesota reopens on April 4, 8:00 pm with its Northrop Inside Out Grand Reopening Gala. The opening night gala features American Ballet Theatre, America's National Ballet Company performing the classic romantic ballet Giselle with live orchestra, a post-performance dessert and champagne reception, and Northrop Inside Out After Dark dance party featuring a live DJ and special performances.

Cranberries are more than a holiday favorite, given their remarkable nutritional and health benefits. A new research review published in the international journal Advancesin Nutrition provides reasons why these tiny berries can be front and center and not just a side dish. The review authors conclude that cranberries provide unique bioactive compounds that may help reduce the incidence of certain infections, improve heart health and temper inflammation.

Luja Classics announces new release of the CD recording Erik Charlston Sings Lieder featuring Erik Charlston, baritone, accompanied by Virginia Perry Lamb on piano. The recording is on sale now at www.cdbaby.com. Produced and engineered by Grammy Award winner Adam Abeshouse, Erik Charlston Sings Lieder was recorded on September 30, October 2, and November 11, 2012

Luja Classics announces new release of the CD recording Erik Charlston Sings Liederfeaturing Erik Charlston, baritone, accompanied by Virginia Perry Lamb on piano. The recording will be available for sale today, September 3, 2013, starting at www.cdbaby.com. Produced and engineered by Grammy Award winner Adam Abeshouse, Erik Charlston Sings Lieder was recorded on September 30,October 2, and November 11, 2012