Kiri Te Kanawa News

One of the most talked about shows on television has an official premiere date: DOWNTON ABBEY Season 4 will begin on MASTERPIECE on PBS on Sunday, January 5, 2014.

DOWNTON ABBEY is about to get a little jazzier next season. According to Deadline Gary Carr has signed on to the ITV period drama as jazz singer Jack Ross, described as "a charming and charismatic young man.'

The Celebrity Series of Boston announced its 2013-2014, 75th anniversary season today, marking 75 years of bringing the world's greatest performing artists to Boston. Celebrity Series has a deep commitment to presenting vocal recitals by some of the most renowned singers in the genre, and the 2013-2014 season includes recitals by: soprano Deborah Voigt, baritone Gerald Finley, soprano Natalie Dessay, tenor Nicholas Phan and baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.

Today we are talking to a charming and affable presence onstage and onscreen who has scored in a wide range of roles in the West End and throughout the UK from his work as Bobby in COMPANY to MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, MARGUERITE and many more to, now, starring in the Theatre du Chatelet production of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in the title role, Julian Ovenden. In addition to revealing details about the Paris Sondheim production, Ovenden also offers thoughts on his Sondheim work in general. Additionally, Ovenden illustrates his impressions of two spectacular small screen ventures - essaying the role of JFK in the musical-within-the-series on SMASH as well as preparing to play a pivotal role in the new season of DOWNTON ABBEY. Most importantly, Ovenden shares his deep affection for the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and discusses his participation in the stupendous RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN AT THE MOVIES and his continuing collaboration with master conductor John Wilson. Plus, Ovenden muses on potential future parts he would consider playing, shares details of his time in Maury Yeston's DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY Off-Broadway, working with Sarah Brightman on the new feature film 1ST NIGHT - and much, much more!

Amidst all the cast changes happening on DOWNTON ABBEY, fans can breathe a sigh of relief for the fate of one more character: PBS and Carnival films announced today that Shirley MacLaine will officially be back for season 4 as 'Martha Levinson.'

On Monday, March 11, at 8:00 p.m., the versatile and commanding mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, joined by frequent collaborator, pianist Warren Jones, makes her Carnegie Hall recital debut in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage with a deeply personal program of American song. Ms. Blythe's program features Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson, a set of songs written for her by the late composer James Legg, and Samuel Barber's Three Songs, Op. 10, powerful settings of three poems by James Joyce. Also featured are songs by Tin Pan Alley songwriters Ray Henderson, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) welcomes alumnus Jesse Blumberg, baritone (MM, '03), and renowned collaborative pianist Martin Katz for free performances of Franz Schubert's two great Lieder cycles this February.

Hot-on-the-heels of the triumphant re-opening of Hamer Hall is the esteemed auditorium's 30th Birthday, which will be celebrated with a cake cutting and performance by Eddie Perfect and Tripod who will perform a song from their upcoming Arts Centre Melbourne presents show Perfect Tripod: Australian Songs at 12.30pm today, November 4.

Hot-on-the-heels of the triumphant re-opening of Hamer Hall is the esteemed auditorium's 30th Birthday, which will be celebrated with a cake cutting and performance by Eddie Perfect and Tripod who will perform a song from their upcoming Arts Centre Melbourne presents show Perfect Tripod: Australian Songs at 12.30pm on Sunday November 4.

American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers (ASMAC) and American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) present 'Up Close & Personal' with Musical Director, Orchestrator and Composer Jonathan Tunick. The evening will be an in-depth conversation with the Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner, hosted by ASMAC President Orchestrator/Arranger/Music Director Larry Blank.

American Society of Music Arrangers & Composers (ASMAC) and American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) present 'Up Close & Personal' with Musical Director, Orchestrator and Composer Jonathan Tunick. The evening will be an in-depth conversation with the Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner, hosted by ASMAC President Orchestrator/Arranger/Music Director Larry Blank.

The Frick Collection presents its 74th season of classical music concerts in the elegant setting of the Music Room.

The editors of Opera News have announced the honorees for the 2012 Opera News Awards, paying tribute to five superb artists who have made an invaluable contribution to the art form: sopranos Mirella Freni and Dawn Upshaw, countertenor David Daniels, baritone Simon Keenlyside, and bass-baritone Eric Owens. The eighth annual Opera News Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 21 at The Plaza in New York City. All the winners - and a host of the city's cultural, civic, and social luminaries - will be present at the gala awards dinner, which will feature celebrity presenters speaking about the awardees and introducing video performance clips.

Ravinia Music Director James Conlon leads a program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and piano virtuoso Jean Yves Thibaudet at 8 p.m. tonight, Aug. 7, in all-French repertoire including Debussy's Two Nocturnes and La mer; and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major and Piano Concerto in D Major for the Left Hand. Thibaudet, who has appeared as a soloist with the world's greatest orchestras, was recently inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. The concert also features a ticket and dining package for a special price of $75.

Ravinia Music Director James Conlon leads a program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and piano virtuoso Jean Yves Thibaudet at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, in all-French repertoire including Debussy's Two Nocturnes and La mer; and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major and Piano Concerto in D Major for the Left Hand. Thibaudet, who has appeared as a soloist with the world's greatest orchestras, was recently inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. The concert also features a ticket and dining package for a special price of $75.

When award-winning cabaret singer Suzanne Carrico & Broadway actress Joi Danielle Price both found themselves "in the family way," they did the only thing they could. They decided to spend their summer with GREAT EXPECTATIONS, for three every Sunday, beginning tonight, July 29 and continuing August 5 and 12, at Metropolitan Room. They will be accompanied on this musical journey through nine months of waiting, not by a midwife, but by Musical Director, Don Rebic, with Special Guest, Tracy Stark on the piano on August 5th and 12th.

When award-winning cabaret singer SUZANNE CARRICO & Broadway actress JOI DANIELLE PRICE both found themselves "in the family way," they did the only thing they could. They decided to spend their summer with GREAT EXPECTATIONS, for three every Sundays, July 29 & August 5 & 12, at Metropolitan Room. They will be accompanied on this musical journey through 9 months of waiting, not by a midwife, but by Musical Director, DON REBIC, with Special Guest, TRACY STARK on the piano on August 5th & 12th.

Russell Grant, Mary Byrne and RhydIan Roberts are the new stars of Grease for the next leg of its hugely successful UK tour. They will all don the sparkly suit to play the role of 'Teen Angel' in the smash hit musical and will leave audiences hopelessly devoted to their charms from this month.

Jazz pianist Joe Chindamo and violinist Zoe Black come together in 'Music By The Sea,' set for Sandgate Town Hall, tonight, 7 July 2012, at 7.30pm.

The Hollywood Bowl officially launched its 91st season with the 13TH Annual Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and Opening Night Concert, last night, Friday, June 22, at 8 pm, which for the first time honored all women artists.