Today, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) Artistic Director, Dr. Timothy Seelig, announced the program for LUSTER: AN AMERICAN SONGBOOK at Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco), on Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 8 p.m. A celebration of 20th Century American music, LUSTER will feature the 300 men of the chorus and special guest Ann Hampton Callaway singing timeless classics from George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Irving Berlin. The performance will also include the world premiere of 'Tyler's Suite,' a multi-movement work created by top American composers of this century, presented in collaboration with the Tyler Clementi Foundation (TCF). Passionate about the story of Tyler Clementi, composer Stephen Schwartz selected John Bucchino, Ann Hampton Callaway, Craig Carnelia, John Corigliano, Nolan Gasser, Jake Heggie, Lance Horne, and Pamela Stewart to join him as they each created a movement for 'Tyler's Suite.' Tickets for LUSTER range in price from $25 - $75 and are available now by visiting www.SFGMC.org or by calling City Box Office at 415.392.4400.
Today, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) Artistic Director, Dr. Timothy Seelig, announced the program for LUSTER: AN AMERICAN SONGBOOK at Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco), on Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 8 p.m. A celebration of 20th Century American music, LUSTER will feature the 300 men of the chorus and special guest Ann Hampton Callaway singing timeless classics from George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Irving Berlin. The performance will also include the world premiere of “Tyler's Suite,” a multi-movement work created by top American composers of this century, presented in collaboration with the Tyler Clementi Foundation (TCF). Passionate about the story of Tyler Clementi, composerStephen Schwartz selected John Bucchino, Ann Hampton Callaway, Craig Carnelia, John Corigliano, Nolan Gasser, Jake Heggie, Lance Horne, and Pamela Stewart to join him as they each created a movement for “Tyler's Suite.” Tickets for LUSTER range in price from $25 - $75 and are available now by visiting www.SFGMC.org or by calling City Box Office at 415.392.4400.
Below, watch Broadway star Patti LuPone like you've never seen her before as we present: 'Love Cycle: A Soap Operetta', a 'mini'musical' made for PBS in 1984 which was never broadcast.
Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2013-2014 season with the east coast premiere of the new American opera Moby-Dick, February 22 to March 8 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Written by composer Jake Heggie and featuring an English- language libretto by Gene Scheer based on Herman Melville's 19th-century literary classic, Moby-Dick sweeps audiences straight out to the high seas with its massive nautical sets and dazzling multimedia visual effects, in what is perhaps the most technically challenging opera WNO has ever mounted. Renowned American director Leonard Foglia leads a talented all- American cast in performances conducted by Evan Rogister, a dynamic young American maestro making his WNO debut.
Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced the commission of a new hour-long opera for the 2014-2015 season of the American Opera Initiative, its comprehensive new commissioning program for contemporary American opera. Penny, by composer Douglas Pew and librettist Dara Weinberg, will have its world premiere in January 2015 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Pew and Weinberg are alumni of the American Opera Initiative; their 20-minute work A Game of Hearts had its world premiere during the program's first season in November 2012.
OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, is pleased to announce it has awarded grants to nine opera companies through its Opera Fund: Repertoire Development grant program. These grants provide vital financial support to opera companies developing new North American opera and music-theater works.
The opening months of 2014 bring into focus the strengths of Houston Grand Opera (HGO), which launches the new year with an extraordinary line-up. This comprises the world premieres of three important new commissions -Ricky Ian Gordon's A Coffin in Egypt, named one of the twelve "must-see opera events of the season" (Opera News), and two works exploring Houston's Vietnamese and Indian communities, courtesy of HGO's award-winning Song of Houston project; the hotly anticipated American premiere of Mieczyslaw Weinberg's long-suppressed Holocaust opera, The Passenger, in the production that took Europe by storm; the first American presentation of a visionary and groundbreaking treatment of Das Rheingold by Catalan's La Fura dels Baus; a new HGO production of Carmen from Broadway sensation Rob Ashford; a revival of Rigoletto; and a restaged production of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, which boasts designs by fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi. As the Houston Press recently noted, "Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers is thinking bigger than ever."
Houston, December 17, 2013 – The opening months of 2014 bring into focus the strengths of Houston Grand Opera (HGO), which launches the new year with an extraordinary line-up. This comprises the world premieres of three important new commissions —Ricky Ian Gordon's A Coffin in Egypt, named one of the twelve “must-see opera events of the season” (Opera News), and two works exploring Houston's Vietnamese and Indian communities, courtesy of HGO's award-winning Song of Houston project; the hotly anticipated American premiere of Mieczyslaw Weinberg's long-suppressed Holocaust opera, The Passenger, in the production that took Europe by storm; the first American presentation of a visionary and groundbreaking treatment of Das Rheingold by Catalan's La Fura dels Baus; a new HGO production of Carmen from Broadway sensation Rob Ashford; a revival of Rigoletto; and a restaged production of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, which boasts designs by fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi. As the Houston Press recently noted, “Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers is thinking bigger than ever.”
Winter brings a trio of momentous house debuts for Richard Tucker Award-winner Stephen Costello. On the heels of headlining La bohème in his first appearances at Munich's Bavarian State Opera (Dec 15-23), he heads home to the States to make debuts at Houston Grand Opera, as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto (Jan 24–Feb 9), and the Washington National Opera, where he revisits Ishmael/Greenhorn, the role he originally created, in the East Coast premiere of Jake Heggie's Moby-Dick (Feb 22–March 8). The tenor will then remain in DC to reprise his star turn as Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore (March 20-29). One of today's most compelling exponents of Donizetti's lovelorn peasant, Costello was the obvious choice to sing favorite Nemorino numbers at Lincoln Center's star-studded Richard Tucker Gala last month.
With evergreen beauty, thrilling choruses and heavenly melodies, Pacific Symphony's 'Handel's Glorious Messiah' is as fresh and energizing to the senses as a brand new Christmas tree-the perfect way to start the holiday season! Rejoice in the uplifting 'Hallelujah' chorus and thundering timpani as English guest conductor Christopher Seaman conducts from the harpsichord, leading the orchestra and esteemed vocal soloists Caitlin Lynch, soprano; Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Shirley, tenor; and Michael Dean, bass-baritone. Pacific Chorale takes the stage, prepared by Robert Istad, assistant conductor and chorus master, and John Alexander, artistic director. Handel's glowing holiday masterpiece summons bliss within the soul, emphasizing harmony and kindness. One of several holiday concerts offered by the Symphony, 'Messiah' takes place today, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.
Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2013-2014 season with the world premiere of a new holiday family opera: The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me, today, December 14-22 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.
Winter brings a trio of momentous house debuts for Richard Tucker Award-winner Stephen Costello. On the heels of headlining La bohème in his first appearances at Munich's Bavarian State Opera (Dec 15-23), he heads home to the States to make debuts at Houston Grand Opera, as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto (Jan 24–Feb 9), and the Washington National Opera, where he revisits Ishmael/Greenhorn, the role he originally created, in the East Coast premiere of Jake Heggie's Moby-Dick (Feb 22–March 8). The tenor will then remain in DC to reprise his star turn as Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore (March 20-29). One of today's most compelling exponents of Donizetti's lovelorn peasant, Costello was the obvious choice to sing favorite Nemorino numbers at Lincoln Center's star-studded Richard Tucker Gala last month.
With evergreen beauty, thrilling choruses and heavenly melodies, Pacific Symphony's 'Handel's Glorious Messiah' is as fresh and energizing to the senses as a brand new Christmas tree-the perfect way to start the holiday season! Rejoice in the uplifting 'Hallelujah' chorus and thundering timpani as English guest conductor Christopher Seaman conducts from the harpsichord, leading the orchestra and esteemed vocal soloists Caitlin Lynch, soprano; Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Shirley, tenor; and Michael Dean, bass-baritone. Pacific Chorale takes the stage, prepared by Robert Istad, assistant conductor and chorus master, and John Alexander, artistic director. Handel's glowing holiday masterpiece summons bliss within the soul, emphasizing harmony and kindness. One of several holiday concerts offered by the Symphony, 'Messiah' takes place Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.
Orange County, Calif.—Nov. 22, 2013—With evergreen beauty, thrilling choruses and heavenly melodies, Pacific Symphony's “Handel's Glorious Messiah” is as fresh and energizing to the senses as a brand new Christmas tree—the perfect way to start the holiday season! Rejoice in the uplifting “Hallelujah” chorus and thundering timpani as English guest conductor Christopher Seaman conducts from the harpsichord, leading the orchestra and esteemed vocal soloists Caitlin Lynch, soprano; Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Shirley, tenor; and Michael Dean, bass-baritone. Pacific Chorale takes the stage, prepared by Robert Istad, assistant conductor and chorus master, and John Alexander, artistic director. Handel's glowing holiday masterpiece summons bliss within the soul, emphasizing harmony and kindness. One of several holiday concerts offered by the Symphony, “Messiah” takes place Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. Tickets are $25-$185; for more information or to purchase tickets call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
In the New York Philharmonic's concerts this week celebrating the centennial of English composer, conductor, and pianist Benjamin Britten, conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, tenors Dominic Armstrong, Anthony Dean Griffey, and Michael Slattery will replace Paul Appleby, who has withdrawn due to illness. On November 21-22, 2013, Michael Slattery will make his Philharmonic debut in Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings, and tenor Dominic Armstrong will make his Philharmonic debut in Britten's Spring Symphony. The concert on November 23 will feature tenor Anthony Dean Griffey in both works, and he will sing the Serenade on November 26 on a program that also includes Mozart's Symphonies Nos. 39 and 41, Jupiter.
Music Director Alan Gilbert will lead the New York Philharmonic in a celebration of the centennial of English composer, conductor, and pianist Benjamin Britten. The program will include Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings, featuring tenor Paul Appleby and Philharmonic Principal Horn Philip Myers, and Britten's Spring Symphony, with soprano Kate Royal (in her Philharmonic debut), mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke (Philharmonic subscription debut), tenor Paul Appleby, New York Choral Artists directed by Joseph Flummerfelt, and Brooklyn Youth Chorus directed by Dianne Berkun-Menaker. The concerts, which include a performance on the composer's 100th birthday, November 22, will take place tonight, November 21, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, November 22 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, November 23 at 8:00 p.m.
The lemon room @ ZajacStudio is delighted to welcome Lena Hill as she makes her cabaret debut accompanied by LA favorite musical director Cassie Nickols. The evening includes tunes ranging from the legit standards of Rogers & Hammerstein to the newest showstoppers from recent Broadway seasons. This diverse set of songs gives Lena a chance to show a voice that has no limits, a shimmery and vibrant head voice to a belt that could peel paint off the walls!
Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2013-2014 season with the world premiere of a new holiday family opera: The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me, December 14-22 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.
Can't get enough of Patti LuPone? A documentary following the legendary performer has just been released on Youtube, titled 'Entrances, Exits, and Everything In Between.' Creator Josh Johnston writes: 'What she and I have collaborated on is our effort to show aspiring performers and fans of the arts what it's like in the shoes of a veteran of the craft: everything from the Sunset lows to the Rainbow Highs of performing, Patti LuPone has seen and lived it all.' Check out the sixth episode below!
The Merola Opera Program presents Opera & Ornaments: A Merola Opera Program Holiday Concert, on Sunday, December 7th, at 2 pm in the Community Hall of the Lafayette Library (3491 Mt Diablo Blvd). This special holiday concert features renowned opera performers Kristin Clayton, soprano, and Bojan Knezevic, bass-baritone.
