Marie Moore News

Well, it's that time of the year again--time for a look-back on what was worth making note of during the calendar year that's about to come to an end. It's from a totally personal, subjective point of view, of course, but frankly that's the way opera-lovers always seem to like it, n'est-ce pas? The productions worth noting come from places big, small and in-between, from composers old as the hills to freshly minted or somewhere in between (likewise the performers), from traditional or boldly modern to simply stand up and sing.

The touching, moving, brilliantly site-specific version of Gian Carlo Menotti's AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS, performed this week by New York's vibrant On Site Opera (OSO), had the audience at the Church of the Holy Apostles Church alternately in tears and cheering.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie announce the 2018/19 season lineup for the company's 69th season. The season reflects Arena Stage's commitment to championing diverse voices and producing work that is politically and socially relevant.

Broadway star Norm Lewis is headed to San Diego this summer to perform a tribute to the timeless tunes of composer George Gershwin. accompanied by the San Diego Symphony as part of their Bayside Summer Nights Tribute concerts,

Last night, the American Traditions Competition (ATC) ended an exciting week in celebration of American music and showcasing tomorrow's vocal stars with a full house at the Historic Savannah Theatre on Bull Street. 

The American Traditions Vocal Competition has announced its lineup for the 24th Annual singing competition, held in Savannah, Georgia.

Washington National Opera (WNO) will present the world premiere of Approaching Ali tonight and Saturday, June 8-9, 2013 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Approaching Ali features music by composer D.J. Sparr and a libretto by Mark Campbell and Davis Miller, based on Miller's own autobiographical novella. This new work is the first hourlong opera created under the auspices of the American Opera Initiative, WNO's new commissioning program for contemporary American opera, and will be directed by Nicole Watson in her WNO debut.

Washington National Opera (WNO) will present the world premiere of Approaching Ali on Friday and Saturday, June 8-9, 2013 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Approaching Ali features music by composer D.J. Sparr and a libretto by Mark Campbell and Davis Miller, based on Miller's own autobiographical novella. This new work is the first hourlong opera created under the auspices of the American Opera Initiative, WNO's new commissioning program for contemporary American opera, and will be directed by Nicole Watson in her WNO debut.

With a book by Neil Simon and music by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, SWEET CHARITY is a 1960s show full of love, quirkiness, music, jive and life's twist of fate. Charity Hope Valentine is a tenacious, hopeless romantic trying to make a living in a New York dance hall. Although her luck is down, Charity refuses to give up and vows to get out. Originally choreographed by Bob Fosse, numbers such as 'Big Spender', 'If My Friends Could See Me Now', 'Rhythm of Life', 'I'm a Brass Band' and the 'Rich Man's Frug' keep toes tappin' and audiences wanting more.

With a book by Neil Simon and music by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, SWEET CHARITY is a 1960s show full of love, quirkiness, music, jive and life's twist of fate. Charity Hope Valentine is a tenacious, hopeless romantic trying to make a living in a New York dance hall. Although her luck is down, Charity refuses to give up and vows to get out. Originally choreographed by Bob Fosse, numbers such as 'Big Spender', 'If My Friends Could See Me Now', 'Rhythm of Life', 'I'm a Brass Band' and the 'Rich Man's Frug' keep toes tappin' and audiences wanting more.

It's not unusual for music lovers to ponder what the Great American Opera is. A good portion will argue persuasively in favor of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD. Others will present strong reasons for George Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS. It's quite possible that THE GHOSTS OF VERSAILLES by John Corigliano has its coterie of supporters, too.

Imagination Theater! December 2010 IT! Box Office: 530-642-0404 or ITPlacerville@yahoo.com IT! Website: www.imagination-theater.org and www.it-tickets.org

Imagination Theater! December 2010 IT! Box Office: 530-642-0404 or ITPlacerville@yahoo.com IT! Website: www.imagination-theater.org and www.it-tickets.org

Imagination Theater! December 2010 IT! Box Office: 530-642-0404 or ITPlacerville@yahoo.com IT! Website: www.imagination-theater.org and www.it-tickets.org

Diary of Anne Frank Tickets - Opens this Friday. Come see Anne's words come to life on stage this summer.

If there were an International Idol ... The José Iturbi International Music Competition would be it. José Iturbi was recognized as the world's greatest classical pianist during the 1930's - 1970's. He appeared in several Hollywood films of the 1940s, notably playing himself in the 1943 musical, Thousands Cheer and in the 1945 film, Anchors Aweigh. He worked with legendary talents including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Cornel Wilde, and many more. Today, the name José Iturbi has a legacy that still lives through The José Iturbi International Music Competition. It is appropriate that one of the most sought after awards by those who have devoted their lives to music, be dedicated to this remarkable man.

Virginia Opera is wrapping up its 35th Anniversary Season with the scorching production of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. The production, also celebrating a famous 75th Anniversary, is a brave American classic bridging the gap between Broadway and opera. The clever love story between characters Porgy and Bess explodes with a fiery tempo, amid George and Ira Gershwin's distinguished style featuring jazz, Broadway, and opera. Porgy and Bess is based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and the play of the same name he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, which focuses on African-American life in the early 1920s in Catfish Row located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Virginia Opera is wrapping up its 35th Anniversary Season with the scorching production of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. The production, also celebrating a famous 75th Anniversary, is a brave American classic bridging the gap between Broadway and opera. The clever love story between characters Porgy and Bess explodes with a fiery tempo, amid George and Ira Gershwin's distinguished style featuring jazz, Broadway, and opera. Porgy and Bess is based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and the play of the same name he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, which focuses on African-American life in the early 1920s in Catfish Row located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Virginia Opera is wrapping up its 35th Anniversary Season with the scorching production of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. The production, also celebrating a famous 75th Anniversary, is a brave American classic bridging the gap between Broadway and opera. The clever love story between characters Porgy and Bess explodes with a fiery tempo, amid George and Ira Gershwin's distinguished style featuring jazz, Broadway, and opera. Porgy and Bess is based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and the play of the same name he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, which focuses on African-American life in the early 1920s in Catfish Row located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Opens December 4th Belle, dissatisfied with life in her small provincial French town, constantly tries to fend off the misplaced 'affections' of conceited Gaston. The Beast is a prince who was placed under a spell because he could not love. A wrong turn taken by Maurice, Belle's father, causes the two to meet. The show runs December 4-27, 2009. Tickets $10-17.