John DeMain News

I want to stretch my technical and artistic capabilities as far as they will go. It's wonderful for me to play around with different emotional journeys

When you think of the song, 'Summertime,' perhaps you hear the elegant Ella Fitzgerald-or the earthy Janis Joplin-singing in your mind. But, while many great covers exist, there's nothing like experiencing the song where 'fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high,' as Gershwin first wrote it: for the powerful voice of an opera singer.

As both a celebration of the Washington National Opera and a culmination of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' Leonard Bernstein at 100 celebration, last weekend's Opera Gala definitely found success. While the evening had its share of disappointments (Titus Burgess of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fame fell ill and was unable to perform; Patti LuPone, the top-billed artist of the evening, performed only two fairly short numbers) there was an undeniable electricity to the night. Previously, the WNO held an annual ball which, according to Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein, included neither opera nor a ball. Switching the format to one with a formal gala reception, an opera-filled performance, and elegant dinners hosted by Ambassadors and foreign dignitaries proved the Kennedy Center can still pull off some new tricks.

Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced the date and partial casting for its 2018 WNO Gala, which takes place on Sunday, May 20 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. The annual Gala concert features a world-class cast starring Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning actor Patti LuPone; Emmy®-nominated singer and actor Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock); and stars from WNO's current season-mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (Rosina inThe Barber of Seville) and soprano Kathryn Lewek (Cunegonde in Candide)-as well as members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Program and other special guests to be announced at a later date. Renowned baritone Nathan Gunn will host and perform, alongside his wife, pianist Julie Gunn.

The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to The Overture Center with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert, the second film in the Harry Potter series. On June 16 at 8:00 p.m. and June 17 at 1:00 p.m. Madison Symphony Orchestra will perform John Williams' unforgettable score live from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.

Brooklyn Music School presents the 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute concert hosted by renowned baritone and BMS advisory board member Lester Lynch. Inspired by Dr. King's legacy and message, the program will feature selections from Mr. Lynch's recent recording On My Journey Now: Spirituals & Hymns as well as performances by BMS faculty and students.

Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute: Spirit of Hope on January 13, 2018 at 5pm. BMS is located at 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn.

Seattle Opera's 2018/19 season offers something new for everyone. Every production is new to Seattle, and the offerings span the entire repertoire from the standard European classics Il trovatore and Carmen to the twentieth- century masterpieces The Gershwins' Porgy And BessSM and The Turn of the Screw. The season also reaches into the twenty-first century with The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, which comes to Seattle after its world premiere and rave reviews in Santa Fe where it was hailed as the best-selling new production in the company's history.

The Glimmerglass Festival opened its 2017 season last night with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess.  Due to popular demand, The Glimmerglass Festival has added a performance to the Festival schedule on Tuesday, August 15, at 8 p.m. in the Alice Busch Opera Theater.

The Glimmerglass Festival opened its 2017 season last night with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. Due to popular demand, The Glimmerglass Festival has added a performance to the Festival schedule on Tuesday, August 15, at 8 p.m. in the Alice Busch Opera Theater.

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.

Chicago Folks Operetta (CFO) is proud to announce the fully staged Chicago premiere of Kurt Weill's anti-war operetta Johnny Johnson, June 24 - July 9, playing at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 

Madison is about to witness a brand new theatre experience--combining cinema with live music this weekend as the Overture Center hosts Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in concert.

Chicago Folks Operetta (CFO) is proud to announce the fully staged Chicago premiere of Kurt Weill's anti-war operetta Johnny Johnson, June 24 - July 9, playing at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 

Chicago Folks Operetta (CFO) is proud to announce the fully staged Chicago premiere of Kurt Weill's anti-war operetta Johnny Johnson, June 24 - July 9, playng at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 

Madison Opera partners with Wisconsin Public Radio to present recorded broadcasts of Gounod's Romeo & Juliet on Saturday, May 20 and Mozart's The Magic Flute on Saturday, May 27. 

The Paley Center for Media in New York City (25 WEST 52ND ST., NYC) will screen the complete 1981 PBS Great Performances telecast of WILLIE STARK starring Timothy Nolen on Saturday, February 25, from 1 to 3:30 pm.

The Chicago Philharmonic's 2016-17 season, Love, begins with a concert exploring 'Legendary Lovers' as depicted in music. Couples including Romeo & Juliet, Ruslan & Ludmila, and Tristan & Isolde all feature. Emily Birsan and John Irvin, Ryan Opera Center alumni recently heard at the Lyric Opera, sing duets by Verdi, Bernstein, and Gounod, and the orchestra performs symphonic works by Ravel, Wagner, Glinka, and Diamond. The Belle Harmonie harp duo, featuring Krista Hagglund and Anna Hirons of the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, will perform in the foyer before the concert.

The Chicago Philharmonic's 2016-17 season, Love, begins with a concert exploring 'Legendary Lovers' as depicted in music. Couples including Romeo & Juliet, Ruslan & Ludmila, and Tristan & Isolde all feature. Emily Birsan and John Irvin, Ryan Opera Center alumni recently heard at the Lyric Opera, sing duets by Verdi, Bernstein, and Gounod, and the orchestra performs symphonic works by Ravel, Wagner, Glinka, and Diamond. The Belle Harmonie harp duo, featuring Krista Hagglund and Anna Hirons of the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, will perform in the foyer before the concert.

San Francisco Opera's partnership with the Bay Area's Classical KDFC continues with a fall season of opera radio broadcasts beginning August 7 with the star-studded, June 16, 2016 gala concert celebrating San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley. The Company's highly acclaimed 2016 Summer Season productions of Bizet's Carmen, Verdi's Don Carlo and Jana?ek's Jen?fa, along with a special 1982 'From the Archives' broadcast of Handel's Julius Caesar, will air each month through December 4. All performances were recorded live at the War Memorial Opera House and feature the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and San Francisco Opera Chorus.