Laquita Mitchell News

World premieres of an oratorio about the Underground Railroad that sets narratives of slaves running for freedom and their lives, and a work that sets poems calling for peace in Farsi, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, and English: Sanctuary Road, music by Paul Moravec and text by Mark Campbell based upon the writings of William Still, a conductor for the Underground Railroad; and We Are One for chorus and orchestra by Behzad Ranjbaran, both completed within the last year, will be given their first performances by the Oratorio Society of New York (OSNY) led by Music Director Kent Tritle as the culminating concert of the OSNY's 145th season on Monday, May 7, 2018, at Carnegie Hall.

In the spring of 2018, choral conducting superstar (Time Out New York) Kent Tritle leads two programs featuring world premieres of works with American themes that are resonating especially strongly today: with the Oratorio Society of New York, Sanctuary Road, an oratorio about the Underground Railroad with music by Paul Moravec and text by Mark Campbell (commissioned by the OSNY) based upon the accounts of William Still, as well as Behzad Ranjbaran's We Are One (commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra) on May 7; and a program at the Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine celebrating the immigrant history of New York in collaboration with early/world music group Rose of the Compass that includes the world premiere of a commissioned work by Robert Sirota, text by Reverend Victoria Sirota, on April 9.

World premieres of works by Paul Moravec and Behzad Ranjbaran that speak to humanity's quest for freedom and peace highlight the Oratorio Society of New York's 2017-18 season, led by Music Director Kent Tritle.

???????As the summer ends and the fall 2017 concert season comes into view, Kent Tritle will be found playing an organ recital at Himmerod Abbey, a Cistercian monastery in Grosslittgen, Germany. From there, it is off and running - the 2017-18 season for "New York's foremost choral conductor" (The New Yorker) is highlighted by the world premieres of two works with the Oratorio Society of New York, Sanctuary Road, an oratorio about the Underground Railroad by Paul Moravec, libretto by Mark Campbell, commissioned by the OSNY, and Behzad Ranjbaran's We Are One; concerts with the Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine including a program celebrating the immigrant history of New York in collaboration with early/world music group Rose of the Compass that includes the world premiere of a commissioned work by Robert Sirota, and a program of Kodaly, Stravinsky, and Part's Miserere; programs of repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to Morton Lauridsen with Musica Sacra; and Bach's St. John Passion with ensembles and soloists from the Manhattan School of Music.

A selection of the brightest stars of classical music and Broadway will participate in a filmed concert performance of two of Hillary Clinton's watershed speeches, both of which have been set to music by the composer and conductor Glen Roven.

A selection of the brightest stars of classical music and Broadway will participate in a filmed concert performance of two of Hillary Clinton's watershed speeches, both of which have been set to music by the composer and conductor Glen Roven.

Sing for Hope, the country's leading "artists' peace corps," mobilizes a roster of 2,000 artists of all disciplines who volunteer their time and talent in under-resourced schools, hospitals, and communities, transforming lives through the power of the creative arts. The organization's flagship program is The Sing for Hope Pianos, which is made possible in large part by The Fosun Foundation and 28 Liberty.

Arizona Opera opens its 2016/17 Season with a 45th Anniversary Celebration Concert.  Hosted by mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, the full Arizona Opera orchestra, chorus, guest artists and the Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artists will perform a sparkling concert of opera's most beloved repertoire. Audience members are encouraged to wear their brightest blue to join in this Sapphire-themed opening to the new Arizona Opera season.

What a thrill it was to hear George Gershwin's opera with the BSO under Maestra Marin Alsop.

Classical Roots is an important Detroit Symphony Orchestra tradition.  For 37 years, the Classical Roots concert has celebrated African-American contributions to classical music.  Tonight, guest conductor Roderick Cox leads NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis and soprano Laquita Mitchell in paying tribute to Jessye Norman and the late Dr. Silas Norman Jr, with a program featuring Gershwin, Marsalis' own composition, and more.

Mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel, in her New York Philharmonic debut, will replace Marietta Simpson, who has withdrawn due to illness, in In Their Footsteps: Great African American Singers and Their Legacy.

Eric Owens will begin his tenure as The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence by curating, hosting, and performing in In Their Footsteps: Great African American Singers and Their Legacy, conducted by Thomas Wilkins in his Philharmonic debut.

Mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel, in her New York Philharmonic debut, will replace Marietta Simpson, who has withdrawn due to illness, in In Their Footsteps: Great African American Singers and Their Legacy.

Eric Owens will begin his tenure as The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence by curating, hosting, and performing in In Their Footsteps: Great African American Singers and Their Legacy, conducted by Thomas Wilkins in his Philharmonic debut.

The New York Philharmonic has announced updates to its 2015-16 season since the artists and programs were announced on January 21, 2015. The changes are incorporated in the updated chronological listing. Highlights include:

The audited financial results for San Francisco Opera's 2013–14 season (FY14) were announced today by San Francisco Opera Association President Keith Geeslin: a deficit of $348,244 on an operating budget of $74,119,493. The Company's 91st season presented eight main stage works at the War Memorial Opera House in addition to numerous concerts, recitals, workshops and community engagement events attracting more than 271,954 individuals.

Backed by a 13-piece orchestra led by Musical Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Chenoweth welcomes song and dance friends from Broadway in a program sure to be unforgettable.

George and Ira Gershwin's masterpiece opera Porgy and Bess, based on the play by Dubose and Dorothy Heyward, premieres on PBS this fall with the critically acclaimed production from San Francisco Opera. THE GERSHWINS'® PORGY AND BESS airs tonight, October 17, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival, which highlights artists and performances from around the country and invites every American to have a front-row seat and a backstage pass for the country's best arts performances.

George and Ira Gershwin's masterpiece opera Porgy and Bess, based on the play by Dubose and Dorothy Heyward, premieres on PBS this fall with the critically acclaimed production from San Francisco Opera. THE GERSHWINS'® PORGY AND BESS airs Friday, October 17, 2014, at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of thePBS Arts Fall Festival, which highlights artists and performances from around the country and invites every American to have a front-row seat and a backstage pass for the country's best arts performances.

San Francisco Opera and KQED 9 partner once again bring the glory of grand opera to the living rooms of the Bay Area. Recorded in impressive high-definition and in 5.1 surround sound at the War Memorial Opera House, the television specials showcase the imaginative stagings and all-star casts from San Francisco Opera's recent productions of I Capuleti e i Montecchi, the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet accompanied by some of Bellini's most beautiful melodies; Verdi's Attila, a complex look at a legendary warrior tormented by fierce internal doubts; Mefistofele,Boito's resplendent retelling of Goethe's Faust; and Verdi's Rigoletto about a vengeful court jester desperately trying to protect his daughter from disaster.