Michael Capasso News

Since opening the 2016 - 2017 season last September, New York City Opera has reestablished itself as a vital part of New York City's cultural landscape, delivering new productions, New York premieres and sold-out performances.

Since opening the 2016 - 2017 season last September, New York City Opera has reestablished itself as a vital part of New York City's cultural landscape, delivering new productions, New York premieres and sold-out performances. The season opened with a critically acclaimed double bill of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci and Rachmaninoff's Aleko bringing the latter to the New York stage for the first time. In November, City Opera presented the New York premiere of Tobin Stokes' Iraq War opera, Fallujah. Last month City Opera's new production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, directed by Broadway legend Harold Prince became a highlight of the New York season, with a run that was extended from six to ten sold-out performances.

Last night Leonard Bernstein's Candide, directed by legend Broadway visionary Harold Prince was presented by the New York City Opera and BroadwayWorld was at the opening night festivities.

This month, the legendary Broadway visionary Harold Prince returns to New York City Opera to direct a new production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide.

This January, the legendary Broadway visionary Harold Prince returns to New York City Opera to direct a new production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide. The production, choreographed by Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated choreographer Patricia Birch, brings together a versatile cast of Broadway veterans and rising opera stars to tell the story of Candide's adventures and tribulations in the "best of all possible worlds."

This January, the legendary Broadway visionary Harold Prince returns to New York City Opera to direct a new production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide. The production, choreographed by Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated choreographer Patricia Birch, brings together a versatile cast of Broadway veterans and rising opera stars to tell the story of Candide's adventures and tribulations in the "best of all possible worlds." 

New York City Opera continues its 2016 - 17 season on November 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2016 with the New York premiere of Tobin Stokes and Heather Raffo's Fallujah, the first opera written about the Iraq War experience.

New York City Opera continues its 2016 - 17 season on November 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2016 with the New York premiere of Tobin Stokes and Heather Raffo's Fallujah, the first opera written about the Iraq War experience.

After opening with a critically acclaimed new double-bill production of Rachmaninoff's Aleko and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, New York City Opera's 2016-17 season continues with Pasion Latina. A 90-minute concert celebrating and honoring the diverse musical traditions of Latin America, Pasion Latina continues City Opera's commitment to engaging New York's Spanish-speaking community.

The New York City Opera, notably nicknamed 'The People's Opera' by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia when it was founded in 1943, succumbed to bankruptcy in 2013 after 70 glorious years but has risen from the ashes under new management. On the evening of September 8th 2016 at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, following a brief pre-season during the summer in Bryant Park, the company opened its first full season since the reorganization with a double bill of Rachmaninoff's 'Aleko' and Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci' that featured first-rate dancing along with the superb singing.

New York City Opera is at the forefront of New York's cultural season with Opening Night today, September 8, 2016 featuring two compelling ensemble casts in a new production double bill directed by Lev Pugliese with conductor James Meena leading the New York City Opera Orchestra.

New York City Opera is at the forefront of New York's cultural season with Opening Night on Thursday, September 8, 2016 featuring two compelling ensemble casts in a new production double bill directed by Lev Pugliese with conductor James Meena leading the New York City Opera Orchestra.

New York City Opera General Director Michael Capasso today announced the 2016-17 season of City Opera, a full season of new productions, concerts, and presentations for the "people's opera." New York City Opera will offer five operas (including a double bill) at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater; two chamber operas, including a Spanish baroque work at Harlem Stage as part of its O?pera en Espan?ol series, and New York City Opera Concerts at The Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center. New York City Opera Orchestra will be featured in every opera and concert.

New York City Opera presents the New York premiere of HOPPER'S WIFE by composer Stewart Wallace, set to a libretto by Michael Korie.

Having earned accolades for his work at Long Beach Opera (LBO) and Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Andreas Mitisek has been chosen to direct New York City Opera's (NYCO) production of Hopper's Wife. The opera is by composer Stewart Wallace with a libretto by Michael Korie. The new staging will mark the East Coast premiere of the opera and will be Mitisek's New York City directorial debut. Performances will take place on April 28, 29, 30 and May 1, 2016 at Harlem Stage (150 Convent Ave, New York, NY).

New York City Opera presents the New York premiere of HOPPER'S WIFE by composer Stewart Wallace, set to a libretto by Michael Korie.

NYCO Renaissance, under the leadership of Roy G. Niederhoffer and Michael Capasso, was joined by the official committee of unsecured creditors for the New York City Opera case. They filed as a '“a monumental step forward” and “in the best interests of the debtor's estate and creditors.”  A plan will be submitted in the near future.'

The voice of the people sang and spoke out last night in Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, Appel Room and Ertegun Atrium. Many of the world's finest musicians, and many of the finest citizens of NYC assembled to celebrate an effort to return 'The People's Opera' to New York. They did so in a Gala Concert and Dinner to honor the life of the late Maestro Julius Rudel, who was the Opera's General Director and Principal Conductor from 1957 to 1979.

New York City Opera Renaissance will host a Gala Concert and Dinner to celebrate the life of the late Maestro Julius Rudel and his invaluable contribution to the New York City Opera as General Director and Principal Conductor from 1957 to 1979. Maestro Rudel passed away on June 26, 2014 at age 93. The Gala Concert will take place at the Rose Theater in the Time Warner Center, Broadway & 60th Street, New York, NY, this evening, March 9, 2015, at 7 pm.

New York City Opera was one of the great artistic treasures of New York. It was famously dubbed 'The People's Opera' by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia at its founding in 1943 and throughout its nearly 70 year history, the NYCO helped launch the careers of many of the world's greatest opera stars including Beverly Sills, Sherrill Milnes, Placido Domingo, Maralin Niska, Carol Vaness, Jose Carreras, Shirley Verrett, Tatiana Troyanos, Jerry Hadley, Catherine Malfitano, Samuel Ramey. Sills later famously served as the company's director and chief ambassador for the art form from 1979-1989. It also sought to produce an innovative choice of repertory, and provide a home for American singers and composers.