Jarrett Ott News

Last night Jaap van Zweden and the New York Philharmonic gave the World Premiere performance of David Lang's prisoner of the state - a fully staged reimagining of Beethoven's Fidelio, directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer. The program concludes the Orchestra's three-week Music of Conscience series, exploring how composers respond to the social and political issues of their times.

The New York Philharmonic will conclude the 2018-19 subscription season with Music of Conscience, May 22-June 8, 2019,three weeks of concerts and events exploring the ways in which composers have used music to respond to the social and political issues of their times. Music Director Jaap van Zweden will conduct all three orchestral programs: the World Premiere of David Lang's opera prisoner of the state, a retelling of Beethoven's Fidelio; John Corigliano's Symphony No. 1, his 'personal response to the AIDS crisis'; and Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony, about his struggles under Stalin, alongside Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, originally dedicated to Napoleon until the composer angrily redacted the inscription.

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL) will join forces with the Angel Band Project's One Voice Virtual Choir on Monday, November 19, 2018, to perform Ruth Moody's One Voice as part of the opening for the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. NYCHORAL members led by Associate Conductor Michael Ciavaglia will sing alongside sexual violence survivors as well as the Angel Band Project's virtual choir. The opening will take place in the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chambers (on 1st Avenue between E. 42nd and E. 43rd Streets) from 10 am to 12:30 pm, with the performance slotted for 11:05 am. 

ARIADNE is an opera that shows the beauty of great voices and this cast had plenty to offer. Amanda Echalaz, whose voice has significant heft to it, sang Ariadne with beautiful rose velvet tones. She was a bit of a witch in the prologue, but in the opera, her voice rolled out over the audience like waves in the ocean. Offering pathos at the beginning, Echalaz's use of a tapestry of vocal color made her transition to Bacchus's lover credible

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature THE CHER SHOW, THE KING AND I, and More!

Lyric Opera's production of 'The Barber of Seville' or 'The Useless Precaution' by Rossini opened Saturday evening at the Kauffman Center in the first of four performances. As is usual for the Lyric, this 'Barber' is slyly updated from the original 1816 version first performed in Rome.

Featured Performers Include Sopranos Sarah Shafer and Abigail Fischer, Tenor James Reese, and Baritone Lee Poulis

Lyric Opera of Kansas City concludes its 2017- 2018 season with Rossini's comedic jewel, The Barber of Seville, April 28; May 2, 4, and 6 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The production will be sung in Italian with English subtitles. High-resolution production and artists' photos can be downloaded here.

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL) will hold its annual Spring Gala at New York's Metropolitan Club (1 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022) on Thursday evening, April 5, 2018, starting at 6:00 pm. The organization will honor renowned opera singer and recitalist Stephanie Blythe with the NYCHORAL Music Excellence Award for her contributions to the musical profession, as well as Sylvia R. Hoisington who is celebrating her 50th season with the chorus. Produced in partnership with the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, the evening's showcase performance will feature soprano Amanda Majeski and tenor Ben Bliss, both of whom will be participating in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Cosi fan tutte from March 15 to April 9, 2018. Members of the NYCHORAL Chamber Ensemble will also perform. The evening will feature a silent auction of unique items and experiences. The program is as follows:

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL) will hold its annual Spring Gala at New York's Metropolitan Club (1 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022) on Thursday evening, April 5, 2018, starting at 6:00 pm.

Brahms' A German Requiem is a work that surpasses religious context to convey peace and hope through the power of music. Conducted by CSO Music Director Rossen Milanov and featuring guest vocalists Abigail Rethwisch and Jarrett Ott, as well as the Columbus Symphony Chorus, this program pairs the music of Brahms with Leino Songs, a mystical song cycle by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho.

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL), under the baton of music director David Hayes, will appear at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium (881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019) with Where Even the Sea Sings, Sunday afternoon, February 11, 2018, at 3 pm. This program juxtaposes three composers of very different backgrounds and styles, inspired by a shared commonality in theme: the grandeur of the 'sea.'

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL), under the baton of music director David Hayes, will begin its season with Roads Less Traveled a performance of works by Schubert and Randall Thompson today evening, November 18, 2017 8 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 46 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011.

The New York Choral Society (NYCHORAL), under the baton of music director David Hayes, will begin its season with Roads Less Traveled a performance of works by Schubert and Randall Thompson on Saturday evening, November 18, 2017 8 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 46 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011.

Superficially, Wolfgang Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE (or DIE ZAUBERFLOTE for you purists) and David Hertzberg's THE WAKE WORLD couldn't seem less alike and, taken together, they stretch the definition of what makes an opera. Yet, as part of Opera Philadelphia's daring new O17 opera festival, they have a surprising amount in common including spectacular scores that demand to be heard again and again.

September 14 marks the launch of O17, the first edition of Opera Philadelphia's new annual season-opening festival. Featuring seven operatic happenings, six city venues, three world premieres, many already sold-out performances, and one superstar Festival Artist, this twelve- day immersion will transform the City of Brotherly Love into an urban stage for diverse audiences to gather and connect through the shared experience of opera (Sep 14-25). O17 shines a contemporary light on the genre, tackling daring subject matter, offering cutting-edge takes on the classics, and providing extraordinary artists with the chance to create their most imaginative and inspired work.

The Glimmerglass Festival opened its new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! on Saturday, July 8, in Cooperstown, New York. According to B. A. Nilsson of Words and Music, 'It's a glorious, fully committed, high-kicking three hours of joy.' The production runs through August 22, 2017.

Who needs an excuse to leave NYC in the blistering days of summer? It's especially true if you head north to some of the bucolic opera and vocal venues within driving distance.

Opera Philadelphia's 2017-2018 Season opens with a twelve-day festival that transforms the city into a stage for the future of opera, as six venues come alive with the talents of dozens of spectacular artists in more than 25 performances. The inaugural festival, O17, takes place from September 14-25, and promises opera lovers and newcomers a fresh way to experience the art form.