Richard Wagner News

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has just proclaimed April 25, 2009, as Speight Jenkins Day in honor of Speight Jenkins? 25th Anniversary season as General Director of Seattle Opera. The mayor has urged Seattle?s citizens to join him ?in commending this exceptional individual for his immeasurable contributions to the city?s cultural arts and civic life.? Seattle Opera will be celebrating Jenkins? 25 years at the helm on April 25th at a special tribute dinner.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Placido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. In this new production, a company premiere conducted by Michael Gittler, acclaimed director Francesca Zambello sets Wagner's tale within the context of the American experience.

The Metropolitan Opera celebrates its 125th anniversary year with a unique gala performance on March 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., featuring Met stars in recreations of historic classic productions and high points in the company's past. Music Director James Levine conducts the evening of 26 staged scenes that, with the use of projections, and scenic and costume recreations, will evoke the Met's illustrious history.

Marni Nixon will appear in person at The Film Forum for an on stage interview with Bruce Goldstein and award winning musical theater writer Stephen Cole. They will discuss her career and autobiography 'I Could Have Sung All Night', which will be avaliable for sale at the Forum. Admission is $20, $10 for Film Forum members. This event is on Monday February 23, and begins at 7:30pm.

The Metropolitan Opera celebrates its 125th anniversary year with a unique gala performance on March 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., featuring Met stars in recreations of historic classic productions and high points in the company's past. Music Director James Levine conducts the evening of 26 staged scenes that, with the use of projections, and scenic and costume recreations, will evoke the Met's illustrious history.

Seattle Opera announced today that the company will receive a $750,000 grant from the Wallace Foundation over the next four years to increase accessibility to opera through new and innovative practices.

Tickets for Seattle Opera's 2009 Ring cycles will go on sale to the general public in an online pre-sale beginning at 10:00 a.m. PST on November 12, and by phone and in person beginning Saturday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. PST.

More than a century ago, composer Richard Wagner conceived his epic four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen as a festival event that completely engaged the city of Bayreuth, Germany. In 2010, LA Opera will join forces with more than 50 cultural and educational institutions in Los Angeles to stage Ring Festival LA

Under the leadership of General Director Speight Jenkins, Seattle Opera has become known as 'America's Bayreuth,' drawing worldwide audiences to its acclaimed productions of all of Richard Wagner's major works, especially sold-out performances of Der Ring des Nibelungen, the composer's cycle of four epic operas-Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung.

On Sunday, November 9, the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, and 75 years since Adolf Hitler's rise to power, the Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust and The Royal Conservatory of Music, Canada, will launch 'Music in Exile-Emigré Composers of the 1930s,' a five-day series of concerts, talks, and a music-theater piece celebrating the music of Jewish composers forced to flee the Third Reich and German composers who resisted the Nazi regime.

Tonight from the stage of Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, General Director Speight Jenkins announced the winners of Seattle Opera's second International Wagner Competition.

On Sunday, November 9, the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, and 75 years since Adolf Hitler's rise to power, the Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, in association with Canada's Royal Conservatory of Music, will launch 'Music in Exile-Emigre Composers of the 1930s,' a five-day series of concerts, talks, and a music-theater piece celebrating the music of Jewish composers forced to flee the Third Reich and German composers who resisted the Nazi regime.

Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins today announced the names of the eight finalists and two alternates selected for the second International Wagner Competition, which will be held at McCaw Hall in Seattle on August 16, 2008. The singers-all between the ages of 25 and 39-were nominated by agents, general directors, and other established opera professionals.

Jordan Harrison's comedy on the power of music doesn't lack for imagination and high ambition while Conor McPherson's Christmas tale boasts an excellent ensemble.

Playwrights Horizons production of Doris to Darlene, A Cautionary Valentine, a new play by Jordan Harrison and directed by Les Waters, officially opens its world premiere on December 11, 2007 at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theatre

This season, Playwrights Horizons announced the creation of LIVEforFIVE, a ticketing initiative that makes available $5 tickets for the first preview performance of each Playwrights Horizons production via an online lottery.

Playwrights Horizons has announced additional casting and details for the third production of its 2007/2008 Season, the World Premiere of Doris To Darlene, A Cautionary Valentine, a new play by Jordan Harrison.

Playwrights Horizons has announced the first five productions of its 2007-2008 Season

A weekly column on Baltimore, Washington, and Broadway theater.