Michael Chioldi News

Odyssey Opera, a Boston-­??based opera company dedicated to exploring the full spectrum of adventurous repertoire, presents the Boston premiere of one of France's great operas, Le Cid (1885), composed by Jules Massenet (1842-­??1912). A rarity that has been sadly absent from opera houses worldwide in the 20th and 21st centuries, Le Cid is rarely produced in the United States. With its grand themes of honor, love, bravery, and sacrifice, Le Cid encompasses the sweep of historical epic and the depths of the heart. Conducted by Gil Rose, this one-­??night-­??only performance breathes new dramatic life into the legendary medieval Spanish warrior Rodrigue, known as "Le Cid" ("The Lord") (played by American tenor Paul Groves.)

Odyssey Opera, a Boston-­??based opera company dedicated to exploring the full spectrum of adventurous repertoire, presents the Boston premiere of one of France's great operas, Le Cid (1885), composed by Jules Massenet (1842-­??1912). A rarity that has been sadly absent from opera houses worldwide in the 20th and 21st centuries, Le Cid is rarely produced in the United States. With its grand themes of honor, love, bravery, and sacrifice, Le Cid encompasses the sweep of historical epic and the depths of the heart. Conducted by Gil Rose, this one-­??night-­??only performance breathes new dramatic life into the legendary medieval Spanish warrior Rodrigue, known as “Le Cid” (“The Lord”) (played by American tenor Paul Groves.)

Odyssey Opera, a Boston-­??based opera company dedicated to exploring the full spectrum of adventurous repertoire, today announced THE BRITISH INVASION, a month-­??long opera festival of fully-­??staged productions of works by English composers. From May 17-­??June 20, Boston opera lovers will have the unique opportunity to choose from four evening-­??length programs encompassing nine diverse operatic works, including the Boston premiere of Vaughan Williams's Sir John in Love, a double bill of Walton's The Bear and Sullivan's The Zoo, five compelling monodramas, and Ade?s's masterpiece of modern cultural commentary, Powder Her Face. (See below for complete program details.)

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 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, on Monday evening, March 9, 2015, at 7 pm.

Utah OperaArtistic Director Christopher McBeth today announced Utah Opera's 2015-16 season. The company's 38th season will feature four productions between October 2015 and May 2016 that encompass some of opera's greatest tales of love and sacrifice.

I have always loved opera companies that have the ability to evolve and recreate productions for modern audiences. Typically, Austin Opera always rises to meet this challenge, but regrettably, in this production they miss the mark. Despite some standout performances, A MASKED BALL falls short because of some missed opportunities and questionable choices made by the director.

ODYSSEY OPERA, a new, Boston-based opera company dedicated to exploring the full spectrum of adventurous repertoire, presents a set of three fully staged operas: Verdi's Un giorno di regno, Pietro Mascagni's Zanetto, and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's Il segreto di Susanna. With a mission of bringing to life the finest rare operas with stellar artists, Odyssey offers an ambitious line-up of works to supplement the traditional operatic repertoire. This new season follows Odyssey's debut last September in a critically acclaimed concert performance of Wagner's Rienzi, and offers for the first time a mini-festival of fully-staged productions. (See below for complete program details.)

ODYSSEY OPERA, a new, Boston-based opera company dedicated to exploring the full spectrum of adventurous repertoire, presents a set of three fully staged operas: Verdi's Un giorno di regno, Pietro Mascagni's Zanetto, and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's Il segreto di Susanna. With a mission of bringing to life the finest rare operas with stellar artists, Odyssey offers an ambitious line-up of works to supplement the traditional operatic repertoire. This new season follows Odyssey's debut last September in a critically acclaimed concert performance of Wagner's Rienzi, and offers for the first time a mini-festival of fully-staged productions. (See below for complete program details.)

When it comes to operas by Giuseppe Verdi, Don Carlo has to be the most challenging one to produce. Which version do you use? The French version? The Italian translation? Given the over four hour running time of the full version, where do you make cuts, and why? And once you answer those questions, there's the content to deal with. How do you pack in the opera's themes of love, war, betrayal, politics, and the Spanish Inquisition? The later question is one that Austin Lyric Opera's current production fails to answer. While Don Carlo is 3 hours and 30 minutes of aural bliss, the story is handled in a clumsy and sometimes unfortunate way.

The Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric's Artistic Director James Harp has announced the third annual opera season at the new Modell Lyric. Two grand operas will be featured-Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's Nabucco-and Toujours L'Amour, the third in our gala concert series celebrating French grand opera.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) offers more opportunities to look inside its operas through its new initiative, “Viewpoints.” These collaborations with Chicago cultural institutions draw audiences even further into the passionate world of COT's 2013 Season, “Power of Love – Love of Power,” and offer new insight and perspective on the artistry and vision of upcoming productions.

The Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric's Artistic Director James Harp has announced the third annual opera season at the new Modell Lyric. Two grand operas will be featured-Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's Nabucco-and Toujours L'Amour, the third in our gala concert series celebrating French grand opera.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City opens its 54th season and its inaugural season at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts through October 9 with a new production of Puccini's Turandot.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City opens its 54th season and its inaugural season at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts October 1 through 9 with a new production of Puccini's Turandot.

Fort Worth Opera (FWOpera) will kick off its 66th season and its sixth Festival with Puccini's blockbuster Tosca, followed by Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.

Ana María Martínez and Catherine Naglestad star as Butterfly; Plácido Domingo and Philippe Auguin conduct. February 26-March 19 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets range from $25 to $300 for the main cast performances, and $15 to $75 for the Young Artist Performance.

Ana María Martínez and Catherine Naglestad star as Butterfly; Plácido Domingo and Philippe Auguin conduct. February 26-March 19 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets range from $25 to $300 for the main cast performances, and $15 to $75 for the Young Artist Performance.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of GeneralDirector Plácido Domingo, has announced that American coloratura soprano Elizabeth Futral will sing the role of Ophelia in all performances of the company's upcoming production of Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet, May 19 to June 4 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.