Sam Helfrich News

Boston Lyric Opera's Stanford Calderwood General and Artistic Director Esther Nelson announced today that each of the company's 40th anniversary season productions will be presented on a different, iconic Boston stage, starting with its largest-ever undertaking—a spectacular international production of the beloved Georges Bizet opera Carmen in a provocative staging by director Calixto Bieito, co-produced with San Francisco Opera and making its American East Coast premiere at the Boston Opera House on September 23, 2016.

Music director Manfred Honeck leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, guest vocalists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in a BNY Mellon Grand Classics program featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere of Bach's St. John Passion oratorio tonight, March 4, and March 6 at Heinz Hall.

Music director Manfred Honeck leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, guest vocalists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in a BNY Mellon Grand Classics program featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere of Bach's St. John Passion oratorio on March 4 and 6 at Heinz Hall.

American Lyric Theater (ALT) has announced that three operas programmed in Forth Worth Opera's 2016 Season, announced earlier today by the company, are works commissioned and developed by ALT in New York City.

Tonight, February 20 the Palm Beach Opera will present the first world premiere in its 53-year history with Ben Moore's Enemies, A Love Story. Hailed as “one of the most eagerly anticipated premieres of the season” (WQXR), the unprecedented new production is one of several original projects designed to bring opera to a wider audience at the Florida house, which remains one of American opera's most inspirational recent success stories. Highlighting the company's creative audience engagement initiatives, ticket prices have been substantially lowered on more than 600 seats per performance this season, and tickets for family concerts reduced to a single flat fee of just $5, giving an unprecedented level of accessibility to Palm Beach Opera's current offerings.

On Friday, February 20 the Palm Beach Opera will present the first world premiere in its 53-year history with Ben Moore's Enemies, A Love Story. Hailed as “one of the most eagerly anticipated premieres of the season” (WQXR), the unprecedented new production is one of several original projects designed to bring opera to a wider audience at the Florida house, which remains one of American opera's most inspirational recent success stories. Highlighting the company's creative audience engagement initiatives, ticket prices have been substantially lowered on more than 600 seats per performance this season, and tickets for family concerts reduced to a single flat fee of just $5, giving an unprecedented level of accessibility to Palm Beach Opera's current offerings.

? The Yale School of Music continues its acclaimed Yale in New York series when singers of Yale Opera bring manuscripts to life in a concert on Sunday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

Yale School of Music announces the 2014-15 season of YALE IN NEW YORK. The series returns to Carnegie Hall for its eighth year, while expanding to include a special season opener at Avery Fisher Hall that features John Adams conducting the Yale Philharmonia and Brentano Quartet in a performance of Adams' Beethoven-inspired Absolute Jest and Beethoven's Symphony No. 4.

Melissa Schlachtmeyer, a costume designer for theater, dance and opera, passed away Wednesday August 6th while traveling in Florence, Italy. She was 41. The cause was complications from breast cancer.

At a time when so many opera companies find themselves forced to cut back, Palm Beach Opera has succeeded instead in breaking new ground, presenting the first world premiere in its 53-year history. Set to a libretto by Nahma Sandrow, Ben Moore's Enemies, A Love Story - a dark comedy based on Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer's eponymous novel and the subsequent Academy Award-nominated film adaptation - marks a major new addition to the repertoire. Starring bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch, now creating his fourth leading role in a Hollywood-inspired opera, Enemies, A Love Story will debut on February 20, with conductor David Stern leading Sam Helfrich's new production.

Knife Edge Productions will present Stephen Belber's FAULT LINES, directed by Shira-Lee Shalit. Previews begin September 4 at TBG Theater. Opening night is slated for Monday, September 8.

One of Greater Boston's most beloved traditions, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's 'Free Shakespeare On The Common' celebrates its 18th season with the comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Inspired by Rat Pack-era Vegas, this production brings together the talents of CSC's Artistic Director Steve Maler, music director Colin Thurmond and choreographer Yo-el Cassel. Playing today, July 6 - 28, 2013.

One of Greater Boston's most beloved traditions, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's 'Free Shakespeare On The Common' celebrates its 18th season with the comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Inspired by Rat Pack-era Vegas, this production brings together the talents of CSC's Artistic Director Steve Maler, music director Colin Thurmond and choreographer Yo-el Cassel. Playing July 6 - 28, 2013, performances are free and open to the public.

Opera Colorado announced today that it has appointed conductor Ari Pelto as Artistic Advisor. Pelto's role will commence with the Company's 2014 season, working hand-in-hand with General Director Greg Carpenter and conducting one opera per season beginning in the fall of 2014. Pelto made his Opera Colorado debut earlier this year, conducting the company's highly-acclaimed production of Mozart's Don Giovanni in March 2013. Known for presenting contemporary and rarely performed works as well as more traditional productions of classic opera repertoire, Opera Colorado is the preeminent grand opera company in the Rocky Mountain region and a vital presence in Denver's cultural ecology.

Knife Edge Productions will present the World Premiere of OWNED by Drama Desk Award nominee Julian Sheppard. Directed by Sam Helfrich, previews began April 26 at TBG Theater. Opening night is slated for Thursday, May 2.

Knife Edge Productions will present the World Premiere of OWNED by Drama Desk Award nominee Julian Sheppard. Directed by Sam Helfrich, previews begin tonight, April 26 at TBG Theatre. Opening night is slated for Thursday, May 2.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's Free Shakespeare On The Common is one of Greater Boston's most beloved traditions. For their 18th annual season, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is excited to present the comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona July 6 - 28, 2013. Directed by the company's Artistic Director Steven Maler, The Two Gentlemen of Verona tells the tale of two friends who leave their hometown of Verona to find their happy fortunes in Milan.

Knife Edge Productions will present the World Premiere of OWNED by Drama Desk Award nominee Julian Sheppard. Directed by Sam Helfrich, previews begin April 26 at TBG Theatre. Opening night is slated for Thursday, May 2.

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.

Knife Edge Productions, in association with Swinestars Productions, are presenting a revival of Stephen Belber's acclaimed play, Tape, directed by Sam Helfrich. Tape began performances September 9, and continues through September 24 in a limited engagement at the June Havoc Theatre in the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, located at 312 West 36th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in New York City.