Melody Moore News

With rehearsals underway this week, Houston Grand Opera welcomes Lara Teeter to the role of Cap'n Andy in the new production of SHOW BOAT opening January 18. Teeter takes on the role after Tommy Tune stepped down because he is on vocal rest.

With rave reviews for Puccini's La boheme and Rossini's Italian Girl in Algiers to its credit, Houston Grand Opera's season is up and running. Starting in January, the company offers productions of Mozart's Don Giovanni and Kern and Hammerstein's classic American musical Show Boat, which bring with them the company debuts of conductor Trevor Pinnock, bass Morris Robinson, baritone Adrian Erod, Broadway legend Tommy Tune, and more. They will be followed in March by HGO's original and highly acclaimed production of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna / To Cross the Face of the Moon, a mariachi opera by Jose "Pepe" Martinez and Leonard Foglia. Tickets are on sale now and moving quickly for this winter repertory period, which accounts for 14 of the season's 44 performances, a 38 percent increase from an average of 32 performances in recent seasons. This increase, as well as HGO's 34 percent growth in subscription sales and more than $112 million fundraising effort over the last five years, clearly identifies HGO as today's most successful American opera company.

Houston Grand Opera, with Music Director Patrick Summers and Managing Director Perryn Leech, announces its 2012-13 season, headlined by four new productions. The first of these is Puccini's La boheme, which launches the new season with a new staging by award-winning British director John Caird. To honor 2013's joint bicentennials of Wagner and Verdi, the coming season juxtaposes Tristan und Isolde - starring Ben Heppner and Nina Stemme in a new contemporary staging by Christof Loy - with a revival of Steven Lawless's unforgettable take on Il trovatore. British conductor Trevor Pinnock leads a strong international cast in Mozart's ensemble masterpiece Don Giovanni, while Francesca Zambello's new production of Kern and Hammerstein's Show Boat brings together stars of Broadway and the opera house in a celebration of America's own contribution to the art. For a more intimate experience, Daniela Barcellona and Lawrence Brownlee star in Rossini's dramma giocoso, The Italian Girl in Algiers.

According to the Houston Chronicle, nine-time Tony Award winner, Broadway performer, choreographer and director Tommy Tune is set to play 'Cap'n Andy Hawks' in the Houston Grand Opera production of Show Boat, opening January 18, 2013.

The Glimmerglass Festival, the Central New York summer opera and musical theater company, has announced its 2013 season and its partnership in The Festival of American Romantics in Cooperstown, New York.

Polka dots, neon and pastel colors, and innovative use of projector technology comprise a cheerful and vivid new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, which premiered Wednesday night at the San Francisco Opera Memorial House. Although it sometimes lacks the dramatics needed to keep a strong momentum, the production makes a strong addition to a long line of creative takes on the opera. Plus, its nonsensical plot makes it the perfect opera to share with friends who do not regularly attend opera. San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley's new modern English translation also adds to that note, although some audiences may miss the original German.

The Atlanta Opera closes its 2011-2012 season with Mozart's Don Giovanni tonight, April 28, May 1, 4 and 6, 2012 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Widely regarded as the greatest opera ever composed, Don Giovanni is described as 'a brilliant combination of comedy and tragedy, telling of the devious schemes and hijinks of history's most beguiling scoundrel, Don Juan.'

The Atlanta Opera closes its 2011-2012 season with Mozart's Don Giovanni on April 28, May 1, 4 and 6, 2012 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Widely regarded as the greatest opera ever composed, Don Giovanni is described as 'a brilliant combination of comedy and tragedy, telling of the devious schemes and hijinks of history's most beguiling scoundrel, Don Juan.'

Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joined the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked on March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall. Anchoring the program was 'Testimony', Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work. Check out photos from the 'Testimony' performance below.

Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joined the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked on March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall. Anchoring the program was 'Testimony', Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work. 'Testimony' has been released by the Gay Men's Chorus and BroadwayWorld brings you the moving performance below.

Highly entertaining and chorally brilliant, 'Enchantingly Wicked' absolutely sparkled with pizazz. Sprinkling the evening with humor as well as quietly reflective musical moments, SFGMC gave their audience a moving and transformational night that was hands down, one of the best performances we've ever seen.

Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joins the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall (Tickets on sale through City Box Office starting February 1). Anchoring the program is "Testimony", Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz has worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work.

When the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) decided on this season's theme, 'Sensational,' it was simply fitting that they contacted Stephen Schwartz to collaborate with them for a performance of some of the composer and lyricist's most sensational hits.

Three time Oscar winner and four time Grammy award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz joins the 275 singers of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus in two performances of his celebrated Broadway musical hits and film tunes in Enchantingly Wicked March 20 and 21 at Davies Symphony Hall (Tickets on sale through City Box Office starting February 1). Anchoring the program is 'Testimony', Schwartz' world premiere composed specifically for SFGMC. Schwartz has worked closely with Dan Savage, the founder of the 'It Gets Better Project' in selecting texts from those who have shared their lives' journeys and weaving those into the resulting breathtakingly poignant work. Check out a sneak peek of theh new song below!

New York City Opera kicks off a new year and a new era of city-wide productions with LA TRAVIATA at the Brooklyn Academy of Music from Feb. 12-18. The Jonathan Miller production of Verdi's masterpiece is the season's first NYC Opera staging at BAM, and is followed by the US premiere performances of Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna from Feb. 19-25. As a gift to the City of New York, The Reed Foundation and The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation have bought the remaining seats for all NYC Opera performances at BAM and will offer these seats at a special $25 price to celebrate NYC Opera's new beginning.

In the second production of its current season, New York City Opera presents the U.S. premiere of Prima Donna, the first opera by Juno Award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Opening on Sunday, February 19 at 1:30 PM, the work will be given three additional evening performances on February 21, 23 and 25 at 7:30pm, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House.

New York City Opera presents the US premiere of Prima Donna, the first opera by Juno Award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, on February 19-25 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House.

In the second production of its current season, New York City Opera presents the U.S. premiere of Prima Donna, the first opera by Juno Award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Opening on Sunday, February 19 at 1:30 PM, the work will be given three additional evening performances on February 21, 23 and 25 at 7:30pm, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House.

New York City Opera kicks off a new year and a new era of city-wide productions with LA TRAVIATA at the Brooklyn Academy of Music from Feb. 12-18. The Jonathan Miller production of Verdi's masterpiece is the season's first NYC Opera staging at BAM, and is followed by the US premiere performances of Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna from Feb. 19-25. As a gift to the City of New York, The Reed Foundation and The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation have bought the remaining seats for all NYC Opera performances at BAM and will offer these seats at a special $25 price to celebrate NYC Opera's new beginning.

On Sunday, February 12 at 7pm, WQXR - the nation's most listened-to classical radio station - welcomes Juno Award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright for an intimate evening of performance and conversation at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space.