James Darrah News

In an Instagram post this afternoon, Jessica Vosk announced that three special guests will join her for California Dreamin': Jessica Vosk Sings the Songwriters of Laurel Canyon, the Lyrics and Lyricists 2022/23 season opener.

 Following the success of September's Festival O22 presentation of live opera productions alongside opera films, “redefining opera on stage and screen” according to the Wall Street Journal, Opera Philadelphia will bring its renowned films to five regional movie theaters, offering audiences an opportunity to appreciate the intersection of two art forms.

Building on Long Beach Opera’s legacy of pushing operatic boundaries and boldly taking performance into uncharted territories, the 2023 Season will continue to bring new energy and relevance to the form with a series of surprising, immersive, and accessible operatic experiences.

The Handel and Haydn Society is set to take on one of Mozart's greatest works with its premiere semi-staged performances of The Marriage of Figaro. Raphaël Pichon, founder and artistic director of Pygmalion, will lead the performances on November 17 + 18 at 7:00 PM at Symphony Hall.

The Lyrics and Lyricists 2022/23 season will open with California Dreamin’: Jessica Vosk Sings the Songwriters of Laurel Canyon on November 5, 6 and 7, an intimate exploration of the legendary icons of California’s Laurel Canyon in the 1960s and ‘70s.

On the heels of a successful opening weekend and rave reviews for live productions of Rossini's Otello and Toshio Hosokawa's The Raven, Opera Philadelphia's Festival O continues this week with the first Opera on Film series, featuring more than 30 cinematic operas presented in 12 screenings at the Philadelphia Film Center.

When Opera Philadelphia's renowned Festival O returns this September for the first time since 2019, it will not only bring multiple live opera performances to several spaces in the city; it will also spawn a new film festival within the opera festival, composed of some 30 cinematic operas over 12 screenings at the Philadelphia Film Center.

Long Beach Opera announced today that in addition to two performances of Anthony Davis’ Pulitzer Prize winning opera The Central Park Five that they premiered in 2019, LBO will create the world premiere recording of the piece, which will be released this fall. Additionally, LBO released details about two summer programs that will occur on subsequent weekends in July; LBO: ON DISPLAY and the inaugural Long Beach Opera Film Festival. Tickets and information at longbeachopera.org.

The Music Academy of the West celebrates its milestone 75th anniversary season with eight weeks of live events at its picturesque Miraflores campus and throughout scenic Santa Barbara, California this summer (June 15–Aug 6).

This new production of Handel’s rarely-performed opera Giustino, which is conceived of and directed by LBO’s Artistic Director James Darrah and conducted by LBO’s Music Director Christopher Rountree, will perform on May 21, 22, and 28 at 7:30 PM.

The Music Academy has revealed its ambitious plans for the 75th Anniversary Summer Festival. This milestone year has been propelled by three sold-out concerts by the London Symphony Orchestra in March and three Competition Winners recitals in April.

The 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards featured a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, a win for Barlow and Bear's 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,' Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett for their 'Love For Sale' Cole Porter duets album, Olivia Rodrigo, and more. Check out the full list of winners now!

Long Beach Opera has programmed four upcoming performances and events – including two new productions as originally announced -- Giustino by G.F. Handel at the sculpture garden and within the galleries at Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) directed by Artistic Director James Darrah and conducted by Music Director Christopher Rountree, with new adaptations and arrangements by composer Shelley Washington on May 21, 22, and 28; followed by The Central Park Five by Anthony Davis & Richard Wesley conducted by Anthony Parnther at Jordan Auditorium in Long Beach on June 18, 19 and 25.

Gibney Company has announced its summer 2022 season in New York City with a program of three world premieres by internationally recognized choreographers Rena Butler, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, and Yin Yue at New York Live Arts, June 14 through 18.

The Music Academy of the West looks boldly to the future in this milestone year. Programming has expanded year-round for community, fellows, and alumni. Classically trained musicians are provided opportunities to unleash their creativity and connect with audiences onstage and offstage.

Lyric Opera of Chicago today announced the company’s 2022/23 Season, featuring productions of classic operas, a continuing long-term focus on developing and presenting new work, plus the return of Lyric’s annual spring musical.

Lyric Opera of Chicago will present the acclaimed chamber opera by the award-winning team of composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek: Proving Up, performed at the Goodman’s Owen Theatre, January 22–30, 2022.

In La Voix Humaine, soprano Patricia Racette is enthralling as she engages with each twist and turn of the score as though it is an emotional punch. She created this role in several cities and in each she has pulled the audience into the immediacy of Elle’s predicament. The 40-minute musical work gives the soprano a wide range for expression.

Verdi’s Il Trovatore can be seen live online on Sunday, October 3 at 2:00 pm or on Wednesday, October 6 at 7:30 pm live streamed directly from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Streamed live, they will not be able to be re-visited. Access to these performances is $30.00, available by clicking on the link below.   LINK https://www.laopera.org/performances/2122-season-page/il-trovatore-3/

Music Academy of the West presents 'Mirrorflores.' Produced by Vocal Institute Creative Director James Darrah, starring Academy 2021 Vocal Institute fellows.