Ricky Ian Gordon News

(WASHINGTON)—Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced complete details and casting for the fourth season of the American Opera Initiative, its comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. Three pairings of new opera composers and librettists— Sarah Hutchings and Mark Sonnenblick (Twenty Minutes or Less), David Clay Mettens and Joshua McGuire (Alexandra), and Christopher Weiss and John de los Santos (Service Provider)—will premiere new one-act operas, each based on a contemporary American story, in semi-staged concert performances on December 2, 2015 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. The 7 p.m. performance is sold out; a second performance at 9 p.m. has just been added to accommodate demand.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale's 35th Annual "Messiah Sing-Along," a beloved and time-honored tradition, brings together family, friends and the community to perform Handel's masterpiece on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 8 pm, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. 

Blazing brass, majestic pipe organ and soaring voices add sonorous sparkle to the Los Angeles Master Chorale's 'Rejoice! Brass Tidings,' which heralds the season with such classics as Willc*cks' Carols for Brass and Choir, Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata for chorus and double brass, and John Rutter's Gloria, on Sunday, December 13, 2015, 7 pm, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Conducted by Artistic Director Grant Gershon and featuring 62 Chorale members, the program also includes Shawn Kirchner's Behold New Joy: Ancient Carols of Christmas, composed as a companion piece to Rutter's jubilant opus, Nico Muhly's Senex puerum, Paul Gibson's Rejoice in the Lord Alway and two Christmas motets by Giovanni Gabrieli for double and triple choirs.

Tonight, November 19 (8 pm) pianist Anthony de Mare brings the third and final installment of his inspired LIAISONS project to Symphony Space's Peter Jay Sharp Theatre.

Now everyone can enjoy Christmas at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Los Angeles Master Chorale's release of 'Festival of Carols,' a CD and digital download album recorded live at Disney Hall featuring favorite Christmas carols performed by the Grammy nominated-chorus and conducted by Artistic Director Grant Gershon.

(WASHINGTON)-Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced complete details and casting for the fourth season of the American Opera Initiative, its comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. Three pairings of new opera composers and librettists- Sarah Hutchings and Mark Sonnenblick (Twenty Minutes or Less), David Clay Mettens and Joshua McGuire (Alexandra), and Christopher Weiss and John de los Santos (Service Provider)-will premiere new one-act operas, each based on a contemporary American story, in semi-staged concert performances on December 2, 2015 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. The 7 p.m. performance is sold out; a second performance at 9 p.m. has just been added to accommodate demand.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), led by Artistic Director Grant Gershon, presents two performances of Handel's Messiah, his most popular oratorio, on Sundays, December 6 and 20, at 7 pm, at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report initial casting for The Public Theater's New York premiere of HEAD OF PASSES, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau. Phylicia Rashad returns to The Public to play 'Shelah' in this deeply moving new drama about family, acceptance, and the power of faith. Rashad last appeared at The Public in THE STORY by Tracey Scott Wilson in 2003. HEAD OF PASSES begins previews on Tuesday, March 15 in the Newman Theater with an official press opening on Monday, March 28.

American Lyric Theater is proud to launch a new series, ALT Alumni: Composers and Librettists in Concert, celebrating the successes of its Composer Librettist Development Program. The series includes two upcoming concerts at the brand new National Sawdust, November 15, 2015 and February 7, 2016, each featuring excerpts from five different operas with scores and/or librettos written by alumni of the CLDP.

Jeff McCarthy starred in Broadway's Beauty & The Beast, Chicago, Les Miserables, and the original casts of Side Show (Terry) and Urinetown, creating the role of Officer Lockstock, which he reprised several times for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS events, The Easter Bonnet and Gypsy of the Year competitions. He's spending his holiday season in Washington D.C. at the Arena Stage, where he'll take on the role of Fagin in their production of Oliver!. Jeff took a moment to chat with me about the show, as well as his past, present, and future plans.

Cafe Carlyle is pleased to welcome back acclaimed husband-and-wife duo John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey for a four-week engagement, tonight, November 3, through November 28.

On Thursday, November 19 (8 pm) pianist Anthony de Mare brings the third and final installment of his inspired LIAISONS project to Symphony Space's Peter Jay Sharp Theatre.

Returning for its 17th season, Lincoln Center's acclaimed series American Songbook will continue to broaden its scope in celebrating the best in American singing and songwriting as interpreted by top performers and rising stars, with events at three Lincoln Center venues.

Opera boasts some of the composer's most sensuous and compelling music

Cafe Carlyle is pleased to welcome back acclaimed husband-and-wife duo John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey for a four-week engagement, November 3-28. They'll make their annual fall pilgrimage to The Carlyle with an all-new show entitled My Generation. My Generation features selections from Mitchell to McCartney, Simon to Sondheim. Additionally, they'll be performing tracks from John's acclaimed new album, Midnight McCartney.

IlluminArts presents immersive musical performance in conjunction with LISTEN TO THIS BUILDING: A collaboration by Exile Books, the Miami Center for Architecture and Design, and the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. Called SONGS OF THE CITY, SONGS IN THE DARK, the concert is set for tonight, October 1, 2015 from 6:30PM to 8:30 PM at the Miami Center for Architecture and Design, 100 NE 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33132.

Pirate King Phillip Boykin and conductor/director Ted Sperling introduce Master Voices' upcoming concert production.

Third Eye Theatre Ensemble, a Chicago company which seeks to engage audiences with inspiring performances relevant to today's ever changing world, will be presenting contemporary [& in English] at Forte Framing & Gallery tonight, September 26th at 8pm. contemporary [& in English] is a night of singing featuring excerpts from Third Eye Theatre Ensemble's fall production, Sumeida's Song, by composer Mohammed Fairouz. Cast members and guest artists perform the music of Mohammed Fairouz, in addition to other contemporary composers, including Ricky Ian Gordon, Gwyneth Walker, William Bolcom, Lori Laitman, Jake Heggie, Dominic Argento, Benjamin Britten, and Alan Hovhaness. A wine reception follows the concert. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door. Forte Framing and Gallery is located at 2301 W. North Ave, Chicago, Il  60647.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced the four conductors for the 2015-2016 season in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Gary Thor Wedow (pictured, left, Mozart's Don Giovanni), and David Charles Abell (Bizet's Carmen) will be returning to the Lyric Opera. Alexander Polianichko (Dvorak's Rusalka) and Christopher Allen (Donizetti's The Elixir of Love) will be making their Lyric Opera debut.