Once upon a midnight dreary (sorry, 'Raven'), Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' was perhaps the favorite of his short stories adapted as horror films for mid-20th century audiences. These days, 'Usher' may be more familiar as the subject and title of the Philip Glass-Arthur Yorinks opera, which takes a more psychological but nonetheless chilling approach to the story. A new production opens at Chicago Opera Theatre (COT) on February 23, after a premiere at the Long Beach Opera (LBO) on January 27, and marks the start of Andreas Mitisek's tenure as COT's General Director. Not surprisingly, Vienna-born Mitisek, who also conducts the opera, heads both companies.
OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, has announced that it has awarded grants to 10 opera companies and four teams of artists through two funding programs: The Opera Fund: Repertoire Development and the Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Showcase. These grants support the production of new North American opera and help develop the careers of promising directors and designers, respectively.
Fort Worth Opera (FWOpera) announced today a call for submissions for its second annual Frontiers new works showcase to be held during the 2014 Fort Worth Opera Festival. A pioneering leader in the production of contemporary opera, FWOpera launched Frontiers in the 2012-2013 season. One of the only programs world-wide designed to seek out unproduced works by up-and-coming composers from North, South, and Central America, the showcase provides composers and librettists a platform by which to gain exposure for their pieces in a live performance environment while also affording them valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, including artistic directors of opera companies, artist managers, classical music publishers, funding organizations, and conductors.
LA MAMA KIDS -- a new series of creative workshop programming for youngsters and their families -- will make its debut at La MaMa at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St. -- 2nd floor) on Saturday, February 9 at 11 a.m., it has been announced by La MaMa's artistic director Mia Yoo.
Two American artistic pioneers - Edgar Allan Poe, the 'father of the modern mystery' and Philip Glass, the face and sound of 21st century American music - meet at 1:00 PM today January 19, 2013, when Long Beach Opera (LBO) presents Deep into the Darkness at the Art Theater of Long Beach. Deep into the Darkness is the perfect introduction to LBO's 2013 season opener, Glass' THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER. Based on Poe's classic horror story, this haunting opera explores the dark places nightmares begin.
Houston Grand Opera (HGO)-the only opera company with two Grammys, two Emmys, and a Tony - continues to raise the bar for American opera with next season's gripping new line-up.
On the heels of their 2012 Grammy Award for the recording of Steve Mackey's Lonely Motel: Music from Slide, new music ensemble eighth blackbird returns to Texas Performing Arts for ten days of residency activities, bookended by two completely different concert programs. This sextet combines the finesse of a string quartet with the energy of a rock band, delivering provocative and mind-changing performances.
Can we practice goodness and create a world to sustain it? This question, posed by Shen Tei, the good-hearted, penniless and cross-dressing prostitute of Bertolt Brecht's Good Person of Szechwan, is central to the work of The Foundry Theatre. The play's concerns, and the earmarks of the Foundry's new production, make it an ideal offering from the company, which is celebrated for creating memorable theatrical events while pursuing civic inquiry and social justice. The show, starring the singular Taylor Mac as Shen Tei, is directed by Lear deBessonet and features original live music by 'indie rock vaudevillians' (SPIN) César Alvarez and The Lisps.
Two American artistic pioneers - Edgar Allan Poe, the 'father of the modern mystery' and Philip Glass, the face and sound of 21st century American music - meet at 1:00 PM on Saturday January 19, 2013, when Long Beach Opera (LBO) presents Deep into the Darkness at the Art Theater of Long Beach. Deep into the Darkness is the perfect introduction to LBO's 2013 season opener, Glass' THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER. Based on Poe's classic horror story, this haunting opera explores the dark places nightmares begin.
Philip Glass' The Fall of the House of Usher, a gothic horror story which blurs the line between the real world and the supernatural, opens Chicago Opera Theater's 2013 Season, titled "Power of Love, Love of Power." This is Andreas Mitisek's inaugural season as General Director of Chicago Opera Theater since assuming the position in June 2012. Glass' haunting 1987 score for Edgar Allan Poe's macabre masterpiece, with lyrics by Arthur Yorinks, provides the perfect backdrop for this nightmarish journey to the edge of madness. The Fall of the House of Usher, taking place at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, runs for four performances only: Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, February 24 at 3 p.m., Wednesday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets go on sale Monday, January 21.
Portland Ovations presents ETHEL, America's premier post-classical string quartet at Hannaford Hall, USM Portland campus for an evening concert Wednesday, January 30th at 7:30pm featuring an arrangement of Philip Glass' score to the film The Hours.
"Puff the Magic Dragon" singer-songwriter Peter Yarrow and Pulitzer Prize winning musicians eighth blackbird both perform in the next two weeks at the Kirkland Performance Center. There's also a world premier new work by Seattle-based Khambatta Dance Co. and hilarious political commentary with Mark Russell. There wouldn't be John Stewart and Stephen Colbert without Mark Russell! VIP Tickets are available for Mark Russell on January 24 are $75. Quantities are limited and VIP patrons receive prime seating and the opportunity to meet the artists after the show. A complete list of shows for the remainder of the season is available at www.kpcenter.org. Tickets are available over the phone at (425) 893-9900 or at the KPC Box Office Noon - 6pm Tues - Sat and until curtain on show days (hours are subject to change seasonally). The Box Office is located at 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland WA.
On Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 3 p.m., world-renowned concert organist Carol Williams will perform various compositions on the world's largest church pipe organ in a free concert at the historic First Congregational Church of Los Angeles (540 South Commonwealth Avenue).
Philip Glass' The Fall of the House of Usher, a gothic horror story which blurs the line between the real world and the supernatural, opens Chicago Opera Theater's 2013 Season, titled "Power of Love, Love of Power."
The World Premiere of Robert Wilson's New Opera, ZINNIAS - THE LIFE OF CLEMENTINE HUNTER, will perform January 26 - February 3, 2013. It is only when the curtain goes up that the truth is told.
TEEV Events, producer of The Idan Raichel Project (concert) have confirmed the participations of three world-renowned guest artists that will make special appearances during both performances at Town Hall tonight, January 12 and the 13th. These artists are Palestinian- Israeli vocalist; Mira Awad, world- renowned Israeli multi-culti jazz artist; Amir Gwirtzman and acclaimed East African vocalist and songwriter; Somi.
LA Opera announces the 2013-2014 season, including Bizet's Carmen, Verdi's Falstaff, Mozart's The Magic Flute, Britten's Billy Budd, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Massenet's Thaïs, L.A. premiere of Wilson/Glass collaboration Einstein on the Beach.
Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) and HERE announce programming for the inaugural PROTOTYPE: Opera/Theatre/Now, running today, January 9-19, 2013, in New York City.
New York City Opera opens its spring 2013 season with a new production of Powder Her Face (1995), composed by Thomas Adès (b.1971) to a libretto by Philip Hensher (b. 1965).
The American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) is proud to announce its first worldwide release on New World Records, JOSEPH BYRD: NYC 1960-1963, available February 5, 2013.
