Los Angeles Opera News

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock today announced the casting and schedule for the Company's summer 2018 presentations of Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). The four-opera cycle of Das Rheingold,Die Walkure, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung-widely considered the greatest and most ambitious work ever conceived for the lyric stage-will be presented in three complete cycles from June 12 through July 1, 2018. 

Acclaimed international vocalists Nicole Heaston, Toby Spence and Peter Rose will join the Houston Symphony and Chorus in a performance of Haydn's grandiose oratorio, The Creation, led by Music Director Andres Orozco-Estrada Sept. 29 and Oct. 1-2.

Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the opening performances of Mozart's Don Giovanni, starring Simon Keenlyside in his first Met performances of the title role, which he has sung to acclaim with numerous leading opera houses. The principal cast, all of whom are making Met role debuts, also includes Hibla Gerzmava as Donna Anna, Malin Bystromas Donna Elvira, Serena Malfi as Zerlina, Paul Appleby as Don Ottavio, Adam Plachetka as Leporello, Matthew Rose as Masetto, andKwangchul Youn as the Commendatore. The October 22 matinee, with this cast, will be transmitted worldwide as part of the 11th season of the Met's Live in HD series, which now reaches more than 2,000 movie theaters in 70 countries around the world.

America's leading youth choral institution, the National Children's Chorus (NCC) is hosting three Fall 2016 auditions Saturday, October 15 th at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall in Los Angeles; Thursday, October 20 th at The Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York; and Friday, October 21 st at National City Christian Church in Washington D.C.

Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the opening performances of Mozart's Don Giovanni, starring Simon Keenlyside in his first Met performances of the title role, which he has sung to acclaim with numerous leading opera houses. The principal cast, all of whom are making Met role debuts, also includes Hibla Gerzmava as Donna Anna, Malin Bystromas Donna Elvira, Serena Malfi as Zerlina, Paul Appleby as Don Ottavio, Adam Plachetka as Leporello, Matthew Rose as Masetto, andKwangchul Youn as the Commendatore. The October 22 matinee, with this cast, will be transmitted worldwide as part of the 11th season of the Met's Live in HD series, which now reaches more than 2,000 movie theaters in 70 countries around the world.

MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale) will celebrate its 75th anniversary during the 2016-2017 season, beginning with the New York premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek's 27, specially adapted for MasterVoices, on October 20 and 21, 2016 at 8pm at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th Street, New York City.

The Dallas Opera is pleased to announce that applications for the expanded and updated Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. (the free Semi-Finals Round, open to the public) andSunday, April 30, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. (Finals Round) are now being accepted.

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.

Pittance Chamber Music announces 2016/17 season with three unique concerts featuring members of the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Opera Orchestra: October 9, 2016, 3pm at the Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; February 3, 2017, 8pm at Zipper Hall, The Colburn School; and March 26, 2017, 3pm, returning to the Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall. Special guests include Domingo Colburn Stein Young Artists Summer Hassan, soprano and Theo Hoffman, baritone, and Los Angeles Opera Richard Seaver Music Director, conductor James Conlon.

It was announced today that a number of Broadway veterans are set to be awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama later this month.

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.

New York City's famed MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale) - founded in 1941 by legendary conductor Robert Shaw - will celebrate its 75th anniversary during the 2016-2017 season.

The Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra will open its 38th season with a performance of Dvorak's beloved "New World" Symphony and Gershwin's genre-defying Concerto in F featuring acclaimed pianist Wendy Chen at Santa Barbara's historic Lobero Theatre on Saturday, October 8.

The Metropolitan Opera will open its 132nd season, the 50th anniversary of its iconic Lincoln Center home, on Monday, September 26 with a new production of Wagner's epic tragedy Tristan und Isolde.

Single tickets are on sale now for the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra's 2016-17 season, which will open October 8 at the Lobero Theatre with a performance of Dvo?ak's "New World" Symphony and Gershwin's Concerto in F featuring acclaimed pianist Wendy Chen.

Cal State LA recognized professional stage manager, Meredith Greenburg, and five other faculty members for excellence in the classroom and service to the community during the 2016 University Convocation at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex.

For the first time in its history, EVITA, this revolutionary Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical is being produced by Cabrillo Music Theatre. 

The New York Philharmonic has announced the 2016-17 season's Insights at the Atrium series, free events exploring themes of the Philharmonic's concert season through multimedia lectures, conversations, and panel discussions. Expanding to eight events this season, Insights at the Atrium has gained in popularity since its inception in 2011, helping thousands of audience members delve more deeply into the music, musicians, and ideas featured in the Philharmonic's season through a dynamic and accessible forum. All events are held at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center and begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Metropolitan Opera has just announced a cast change advisory. Janai Brugger will sing the role of Pamina in the December 20, 23, 26, 30 matinee, January 2 and 5 performances of Mozart's The Magic Flute, replacing Layla Claire, who has withdrawn due to pregnancy.

The Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra honored Chaucer's Bookstore founder and longtime community arts patron Mahri Kerley for her extraordinary service and commitment to the ensemble during a University Club luncheon on Thursday, August 18.