Jessye Norman News

Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) leads celebration of Marian Anderson on 75th anniversary of her Lincoln Memorial concert Soprano Jessye Norman, composer Ysaye Barnwell, opera singer Soloman Howard and vocalist Annisse Murillo (respectively an alumnus and current member of WPAS's Children of the Gospel), and an extraordinary 300-voice choir led by WPAS Gospel choir Artistic Director Stanley Thurston are just some of the talented artists who will join together under the banner of the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) for Of Thee We Sing: The Marian Anderson 75th Anniversary Celebration.

Aspiring opera singers from the Gulf Coast will once again vie for the national spotlight during the annual Metropolitan Opera National Council District and Regional Auditions today, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12 at Loyola University New Orleans. The winner of the regional auditions will advance to the national semi-final round, held Sunday, March 23 on the Metropolitan Opera Stage in New York City. The singers who advance to the finals Sunday, March 30 will be accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO), Vermont's only statewide symphony orchestra, announced this week that Robert De Cormier is retiring as founding director and conductor of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus. De Cormier has held this position for twenty years.

Legendary flute master Sir James Galway makes his expertise widely available with First Flute, for Beginners & Beyond, an online interactive series of lessons geared for flute students and music lovers of all ages. One of the most beloved and recognizable classical musicians performing today, Sir James shares his invaluable technical advice, practice methods, and secrets for success with flutists seeking to perfect their skills — all delivered with his signature warmth and panache.

The story of alleged treachery and bureaucratic co-collaborators working backstage to force Taymor out after creative differences is widely known. In the podcast, the Tony-winner opened up about her work was affected by the issues.

On Sunday, January 12, 2014, Opera Index will presents its 35th Distinguished Achievement Award to mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias, described as one of the finest singing actresses of our time, at its Winter Gala in the Grand Salon of the JW Marriott Essex House, 160 Central Park South, beginning at 6 p.m. with a reception in the Petit Salon. The three-time Grammy and two-time Emmy Award-winning artist made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1954 and over her half-century-long career, has sung more than 50 roles. Ken Benson, renowned artists manager and longtime Opera Index supporter, will present the award to Ms. Elias.

This winter, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI) continues to bring outstanding live performances to community venues throughout the five boroughs of New York City with its free Neighborhood Concerts. For almost four decades, Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concerts have featured performances by top artists across multiple genres including jazz, world music, classical, and more. In addition, WMI presents a number of free family-friendly programs throughout New York City as part of the Carnegie Kids series.

Aspiring opera singers from the Gulf Coast will once again vie for the national spotlight during the annual Metropolitan Opera National Council District and Regional Auditions Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12 at Loyola University New Orleans. The winner of the regional auditions will advance to the national semi-final round, held Sunday, March 23 on the Metropolitan Opera Stage in New York City. The singers who advance to the finals Sunday, March 30 will be accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey's 2013-14 Season at New York City Center kicked off December 4th with an Opening Night Gala Benefit hosted by Honorary Co-Chair Gabrielle Union. The event's co-chairs were Simin Allison & in memory, Herb Allison, Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault, Daria L. Foster & Erich J. Wallach, Agnes & Gerald Hassell, Debra L. Lee, and Joan & Sandy Weill. The evening helped raise over $2.4 million for the creation of new works and Alvin Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Check out the pics below!

Legendary flute master Sir James Galway makes his expertise widely available with First Flute, for Beginners & Beyond, an online interactive series of lessons geared for flute students and music lovers of all ages. One of the most beloved and recognizable classical musicians performing today, Sir James shares his invaluable technical advice, practice methods, and secrets for success with flutists seeking to perfect their skills - all delivered with his signature warmth and panache.

Paper Mill Playhouse will continue its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! will be directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! will feature David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! will also feature 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! will play the Millburn, New Jersey theater from tonight, November 21 through December 29. The official press opening night is Sunday, December 1, 2013, at 7:00pm.

Legendary flute master Sir James Galway makes his expertise widely available with First Flute, for Beginners & Beyond, an online interactive series of lessons geared for flute students and music lovers of all ages. One of the most beloved and recognizable classical musicians performing today, Sir James shares his invaluable technical advice, practice methods, and secrets for success with flutists seeking to perfect their skills - all delivered with his signature warmth and panache.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Since the appointment of Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello in 2010, The Glimmerglass Festival has grown the number of events presented during its summer season, with concerts, lectures, question-and-answer sessions and more supplementing its core calendar of four mainstage productions.

Julie Taymor, the Oscar and Tony Award-winning director of film, theatre and opera comes to 92Y tonight, November 17 to talk about her work in a conversation moderated by actor Harry Lennix, who received a Golden Satellite Award in Taymor's Titus.

Theatre for a New Audience's inaugural production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by multiple Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor with original music composed by Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning Elliot Goldenthal, opens tonight, November 2, at the Theatre's newly-named building, Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn.

Paper Mill Playhouse will continue its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday 'twist' for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! will be directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! will feature David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (Mr. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! will also feature 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! will play the Millburn, New Jersey theater from November 21 through December 29. The official press opening night is Sunday, December 1, 2013, at 7:00pm.

The Rolex Mentor and Protege Arts Initiative today announced the seven celebrated artists, working around the globe, who will mentor seven young artists in 2014-2015.

MUSE/IQUE, known for its inspired, unexpected live music events curated by noted artistic director/conductor Rachael Worby, continues its 'Uncorked Series' with a spotlight on female jazz musicians on Monday, November 11, 2013, 7 pm, at the expansive Avon Distribution Center in Pasadena. The program at Avon, itself long a symbol of female empowerment, opens with a screening of the acclaimed award-winning documentary film The Girls in the Band, which traces the history of women jazz artists from the 1930s through present day, exposing sexism and racism faced by the immensely talented women who broke through primarily male music bastions. Avon, according to Fortune magazine, is the world's fifth largest cosmetic company and second largest direct selling company, with 6.4 million independent sales representatives, primarily female, in more than 140 countries. Capping the evening are an interactive panel discussion with the film's director Judy Chaikin and some of the celebrated artists in the film, moderated by Worby, as well as musical interludes performed by some of the current leading ladies of jazz, including saxophonist Mindi Abair, who has appeared with Josh Groban, Lee Ritenour and the Backstreet Boys, among many others. A complimentary pre-concert cocktail hour for ticket holders, with 'popcorn fare' and music by an all-female jazz ensemble from Westridge High School in Pasadena, begins at 6 pm followed by the 7 pm program.

In an interview published in yesterday's New York Times, Julie Taymor, who is currently focusing on her new production of “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” reveals that she has plans to develop three new television series.

Julie Taymor, the Oscar and Tony Award-winning director of film, theatre and opera comes to 92Y on Sunday, November 17 to talk about her work in a conversation moderated by actor Harry Lennix, who received a Golden Satellite Award in Taymor's Titus. The event -From Stage to Screen and Back Again - will be illustrated with clips from her productions. Taymor is acclaimed for infusing her work with a uniquely theatrical vision - from the internationally acclaimed stage musical The Lion King, to the Beatles-inspired screen musical, Across the Universe, the timeless magic of Shakespeare on screen in Titus and The Tempest, to Shakespeare on stage, with her highly-anticipated upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for Theatre for a New Audience.