Jessye Norman News

Nicole Cabell and Alyson Cambridge, celebrated American sopranos and close friends, record together for the first time on 'Sisters in Song,' a new Cedille Records album of opera duets and specially commissioned duet arrangements of classical songs, African-American spirituals, and a folk tune, accompanied by the Lake Forest Symphony conducted by Vladimir Kulenovic.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, a dynamic hub for the lively arts and vital community resource, presents a dozen classical, jazz and contemporary music programs featuring some of the era's most compelling musical artists during the 2018/2019 season. World premieres, programs with thought-provoking social commentary and timeless iconic works are among the offerings.

Multi-genre recording artist Damien Sneed, a Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient, joins the acclaimed staff of the Houston Grand Opera (HGOco) as Music Director and Composer in Residence. As such, Sneed will work on new commission projects, compose a new work for HGOco, and serve as cover conductor for HGO mainstage productions under Patrick Summers, Artistic and Music Director.

The Woodstock Film Festival is thrilled to announce its 2018 top honorary award recipients: Tony®, Emmy®, and Grammy® winning and Oscar® nominated filmmaker, Julie Taymor will receive the honorary Maverick Award at the 19th annual Woodstock Film Festival. Oscar® nominated and Emmy® award-winning director Matthew Heineman will receive the Filmmaker Award of Distinction during that same time. The Maverick Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Backstage Studio Productions in Kingston, NY. Additionally, Heineman's feature narrative debut, A PRIVATE WAR, starring Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan and Stanley Tucci will close the film festival on the evening of Sunday, October 14th and Taymor's globally renowned ACROSS THE UNIVERSE will have a special tribute screening on the morning of October 14th. Both films will be followed by Q&As. The 19th annual Woodstock Film Festival takes place from October 10-14, 2018. 

Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), considered among the world's preeminent children's choirs and noted for its striking bel canto sound and wide-ranging repertoire, has named Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Kai Ryssdal Chair of the Board of Directors, announced LACC Interim Executive Director Tom Wheatley. He succeeds Cheryl Scheidemantle, who assumes the role of Immediate Past Chair. Ryssdal, active on LACC's Board since 2014, is the host and senior editor of the public radio show Marketplace, the most widely heard program on business and the economy - radio or television, commercial or public broadcasting - in the country.

LeChateau Earl Records releases 'The Three Sides of Damien Sneed: Classical, Jazz and Sanctified Soul.' The three-disc CD features 39 tracks with more than two hours of music. 'The Three Sides of Damien Sneed' is available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and all other digital retail outlets everywhere. This magnum opus showcases the broad musicality of Sneed, whose musical skills and performance credits encompass everything from jazz and show tunes to opera and R&B. The set includes original tunes composed by Sneed as well as his unique arrangements of known works.

Lagond's LIVE! from The Haven (9 Haven Street) welcomes Jerad Lippi (drums), Rick Rosato (bass) and Jean-Michel Pilc (pianist) for an evening of dynamic musical explorations and jazz improvisation on Saturday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m.

The Metropolitan Opera Guild today announced that the honoree of the 84th Annual Guild Luncheon will be legendary soprano Anna Netrebko. The celebration will take place on Friday, October 26th at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

The Metropolitan Opera Guild today announced that the honoree of the 84th Annual Guild Luncheon will be legendary soprano Anna Netrebko. The celebration will take place on Friday, October 26th at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Life on a Palette, a new musical based on Norman Rockwell's covers for the Saturday Evening Post, will present excerpts at Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, MA on Monday, June 25 at its annual gala fundraiser. Rockwell features book and lyrics by Eleanor Albano and Anthony Barnao, and music by Ron Abel.

One of the great singers of her generation, renowned for her extraordinary voice and musical versatility, American opera singer and recitalist Jessye Norman has been chosen as The Twelfth Glenn Gould Prize Laureate.  Throughout her career, the sheer size, power and luster of her voice has shared equal acclaim with that of her thoughtful music-making, innovative programming of the classics, and fervent advocacy of contemporary music.  More than forty years after making her operatic debut, Jessye Norman continues to maintain a busy performance schedule, now concentrating on recitals and concerts.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), honored acclaimed Director Julie Taymor with the distinguished 2018 'Mr. Abbott' Award for outstanding artistry and creativity over the course of her career. The Award was presented at the Foundation's annual gala event on April 2, 2018 in New York City, at the Bohemian National Hall.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), honored acclaimed Director Julie Taymor with the distinguished 2018 'Mr. Abbott' Award for outstanding artistry and creativity over the course of her career. The Award was presented at the Foundation's annual gala event on April 2, 2018 in New York City, at the Bohemian National Hall.

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - has announced the winners of their first annual vocal competition, "NextGen: Finding The Voices of Tomorrow." The First Place female winner is Nia Savoy (Howard University) and the First Place male winner is Evan LaChance (The Catholic University of America).

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), will honor acclaimed Director Julie Taymor with the distinguished 2018 'Mr. Abbott' Award for outstanding artistry and creativity over the course of her career. The Award will be presented at the Foundation's annual gala event on April 2, 2018 in New York City, at the Bohemian National Hall.

American soprano Kathleen Battle's luminous voice has been called '…without qualification, one of the very few most beautiful in the world' (The Washington Post ). Yet beyond the glory of her singing, in a career filled with countless accolades, honors and major milestones, what has perhaps distinguished her most is her almost magical ability to create an unwavering bond with her audience. Returning to Seattle for the first time in two decades, the legendary opera star takes the stage at the University of Washington's Meany Hall on April 14, 2018, to explore traditional spirituals and the writings of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. She is joined by acclaimed jazz pianist Joel Martin and local choirs The Sound of the Northwest and UW Chamber Singers.

Don't Tell Mama is thrilled to present the return engagement of West End & Broadway star and Olivier Award-nominee Liz Robertson in 'Lerner Without Loewe,' an affectionate musical tribute to her late husband, Alan Jay Lerner, the internationally acclaimed author of My Fair Lady, currently in previews at The Vivian Beaumont Theatre and opening on April 19. Having debuted the show in a one night engagement last April, she now returns for three (3) performances -  Friday, April 13 at 7pm, Saturday, April 14 at 8pm, and Sunday, April 15 at 6pm. The evening is directed by Barry Kleinbort with musical direction by Ron Abel.

Academy Award-nominee, Angela Bassett will join Kathleen Battle as a guest narrator in Battle's program Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey accompanied by pianist Joel Martin and the LA-based choir, The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) on Thursday, March 29 at 8:00pm.

American soprano Kathleen Battle's luminous voice has been called by The Washington Post "...without qualification, one of the very few most beautiful in the world."  Yet beyond the glory of her singing, in a career filled with countless accolades, honors and major milestones, what has perhaps distinguished her most is her almost magical ability to create an unwavering emotional bond between herself, her music and her audience.  On Thursday, March 29 at 8pm, that special bond will be on full display when Ms. Battle makes her debut at The Soraya with Kathleen Battle: Underground Railroad-A Spiritual Journey accompanied by pianist Joel Martin and the LA-based choir, The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers.