John Cheek News

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The BERKSHIRE OPERA FESTIVAL has announced its 2022 season in Great Barrington and Pittsfield, MA, and for the first time in Chatham, NY. The only company of its kind in the region, BOF produces opera at the highest level under the vision of esteemed co-founders Brian Garman (Artistic Director) and Jonathon Loy (Director of Production).

Berkshire Opera Festival is launching its first virtual concert comprised of musical selections from across the operatic spectrum and beyond. The concert will feature performances from the internationally-renowned cast of BOF's (recently canceled) 2020 production of Don Giovanni.

Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) has announced its Fifth Anniversary Season production of Mozart's iconic opera Don Giovanni, to be presented at the historic Colonial Theatre (Pittsfield, MA) August 22, 25, and 28, 2020. The opera, based on the legend of Don Juan, is one of Mozart's supreme achievements - and considered by many to be one of the greatest operas ever composed.

The Metropolitan Opera Guild today announced that the honorees of its “Diamond Jubilee” celebration will be luminaries Martina Arroyo and Teresa Stratas.  The Guild's 85th Annual Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, November 20th at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.  Special remarks by Stephanie Blythe and musical tributes by Ailyn Pérez and Matthew Polenzani will be performed during the event.

The OMNI Ensemble will continue its 36th season of concerts at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 8:00 pm. The program will feature music for flute, cello and piano. Also being performed are improvisations by The OMNI Ensemble featuring the Kora, an indigenous African string instrument. Music will be Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata op. 28, arranged for trio by Jim Lahti, Bohuslav Martinu's Trio for flute, cello and piano, Peter Schickele's Summer Trio, Michael Sirotta's Emanations Of Blue Light-A Rhapsody for Flute and Piano, and electronic and acoustic improvisations by The OMNI Ensemble featuring the Kora. Musicians are David Wechsler - flutes, John Cheek - keyboards, with guest artists Eric Cooper - cello and Salieu Suso - Kora.

Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) is proud to present Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece, Rigoletto for its third season, with performances August 25, 28, and 31 at the historic Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.

Berkshire Opera Festival launches its inaugural season this summer with a production of Giacomo Puccini's MADAMA BUTTERFLY at the historic Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (August 27, 30, and September 2 at 7:30pm). BOF will offer a welcome return of locally produced opera to the long-time classical music hub.

Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) has announced that tickets are on sale beginning today for its inaugural production of Giacomo Puccini's MADAMA BUTTERFLY.

Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) today announced that the company will open its inaugural season in the summer of 2016 with a production of Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly.  It receives three performances at the historic Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, premiering Saturday, August 27, with subsequent performances Tuesday, August 30, and Friday, September 2.  All performances begin at 7:30pm.

The Art Song Preservation Society (ASPS) will present French Mezzo-Soprano, Virginie Verrez in recital with accomplished piano collaborator, Thomas Muraco. Ms. Verrez, the first place winner of the 2014 Mary Trueman Vocal Art Song Competition sponsored by the Art Song Preservation Society, will present works by Brahms, Monteverdi, Poulenc, Duparc, Canteloube among others.

The Art Song Preservation Society (ASPS) will present French Mezzo-Soprano, Virginie Verrez in recital with accomplished piano collaborator, Thomas Muraco. Ms. Verrez, the first place winner of the 2014 Mary Trueman Vocal Art Song Competition sponsored by the Art Song Preservation Society, will present works by Brahms, Monteverdi, Poulenc, Duparc, Canteloube among others. The recital is on March 21 at 2pm at the National Opera Center (330 7th Avenue) in New York City. Tickets are $25 at the door. You can purchase tickets by visiting the Art Song Preservation Society website at www.artsongpreservationsocietyny.org

The Art Song Preservation Society (ASPS) will present French Mezzo-Soprano, Virginie Verrez in recital with accomplished piano collaborator, Thomas Muraco. Ms. Verrez, the first place winner of the 2014 Mary Trueman Vocal Art Song Competition sponsored by the Art Song Preservation Society, will present works by Brahms, Monteverdi, Poulenc, Duparc, Canteloube among others.

The OMNI Ensemble will begin its 31st season of concerts in the recital hall at the Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard this afternoon, November 7th at 2:30 pm and at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on Saturday evening, November 9, 2013 at 8:00 pm.

Gotham Chamber Opera presents the U.S. Stage Premiere of Baden-Baden 1927: a staged evening of four one-act operas that appeared together at the Baden-Baden Festival in 1927, from tonight, October 23-29, 2013 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater.

The OMNI Ensemble will begin its 31st season of concerts in the recital hall at the Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard on Thursday afternoon, November 7th at 2:30 pm and at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on Saturday evening, November 9, 2013 at 8:00 pm.

Gotham Chamber Opera presents the U.S. Stage Premiere of Baden-Baden 1927: a staged evening of four one-act operas that appeared together at the Baden-Baden Festival in 1927, from October 23-29, 2013 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater. Performances: Wednesday,October 23, 2013 at 7:30pm and Friday, October 25; Saturday, October 26; and Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 8pm. Tickets are $30-$175 and are available at www.ticketcentral.comor (212) 279-4200. For more information visit www.gothamchamberopera.org.