James Morris News

Marcelo Álvarez, who makes his Met role debut as Radamès in Aida this season, has withdrawn from the final three performances of the run. He will still sing Radamès on February 9, 13, 16, and 20, but then must return to Europe for eye surgery. Riccardo Massì will make his Met debut as Radamès on February 23, and Marcello Giordani adds the role to his extensive Met repertoire on February 28 and March 3 matinee. Roberto De Biasio will replace Giordani as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly on March 2.

Jennifer Hudson, Mark Wahlberg, Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski, Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Josh Lucas, Tiffani Thiessen, Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott and Laura Prepon are among the guests on next week's TODAY show on NBC.

Opera Index presents its 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award to opera pioneer and Opera Orchestra of New York founder Eve Queler at its 28th annual black-tie winter gala on Sunday, January 15.

Patricia Racette will return to the title role of Puccini's Tosca, which she sang at the Met to great acclaim in the 2009-10 season, for six performances beginning January 10.

The Opera Orchestra of New York continues its 41st season with an opera-in-concert performance of Wagner's Rienzi conducted by Music Director Laureate, Eve Queler at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The opera, based on the life of Cola di Rienz (1313-1354), the Italian medieval politician and popular leader of the Roman people whose goal was to transform society by raising the power of the people, stars tenor Ian Storey in the title role, with soprano Elisabete Matos as Irene and mezzo-soprano Geraldine Chauvet in her US debut as Adriano. All three artists will be making their Opera Orchestra of New York debuts.

The Opera Orchestra of New York will present its annual Vidda Award Recital featuring soprano Chiara Taigi at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Joined by Eve Queler at the piano, Ms. Taigi will present a program including works by Bellini, Cherubini, Mascagni, Puccini, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.

The Opera Orchestra of New York will present its annual Vidda Award Recital featuring soprano Chiara Taigi at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Joined by Eve Queler at the piano, Ms. Taigi will present a program including works by Bellini, Cherubini, Mascagni, Puccini, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.

The Opera Orchestra of New York opens its 41st season with an opera-in-concert performance of Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur conducted by new Music Director Alberto Veronesi at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi will lead his first Met performances of Mozart's Don Giovanni, in a new production directed by Tony Award winner Michael Grandage in his Met debut.

Stage 773 Artistic Director Brian Posen is proud to announce plans to showcase the newly renovated Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., at a grand opening celebration, showcasing the 4 newly renovated theaters, a new façade, lobby area and much more, Sunday, October 16 at 7 p.m.

Busting Out! , the international hit show, which has been seen by an audience of over 300,000 in Australia, New Zealand and the UK will make its North American debut in Los Angeles for a limited run, starting Wednesday, October 12 (press opening on October 16) at the Hayworth Theatre, located at 2511 Wilshire Blvd. The show, created by Emma Powell, is a laugh-out-loud, totally liberating show: part stand up, part musical, part cabaret and all laughter.

Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi will lead his first Met performances of Mozart's Don Giovanni, in a new production directed by Tony Award winner Michael Grandage in his Met debut.

The Metropolitan Opera's 2011-12 season will feature the world's leading singers, conductors, and stage directors in seven new productions, including a world premiere, a Met premiere, and the first complete performances of a new Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle conducted by Music Director James Levine and directed by Robert Lepage.

Busting Out! , the international hit show, which has been seen by an audience of over 300,000 in Australia, New Zealand and the UK will make its North American debut in Los Angeles for a limited run, starting Wednesday, October 12 (press opening on October 16) at the Hayworth Theatre, located at 2511 Wilshire Blvd. The show, created by Emma Powell, is a laugh-out-loud, totally liberating show: part stand up, part musical, part cabaret and all laughter.

Ellie Dehn will make her Met role debut as Donna Elvira in this spring's performances of Mozart's Don Giovanni, replacing Annette Dasch, who has withdrawn due to pregnancy. Dehn will sing the performances on February 21, 24, 29, March 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17.

Stage 773 Artistic Director Brian Posen has announced plans to showcase the newly renovated Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., at a grand opening celebration, showcasing the 4 newly renovated theaters, a new façade, lobby area and much more, Sunday, October 16 at 7 p.m.