Sondra Radvanovsky News

On the heels of its tremendously successful twelve-day immersive O17 festival last fall, as well as a stunning production of George Benjamin's phenomenal critical sensation Written on Skin earlier this spring, Opera Philadelphia closes out its season with one of the world's most popular operas, Bizet's masterpiece, Carmen. In the title role is mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, who opened Opera Philadelphia's 2017-2018 season with a "vocally formidable" (Philadelphia Inquirer) and "brilliant" performance (Opera News) in the title role of the world premiere of Elizabeth Cree. Directed by Paul Curran, who led 2015's acclaimed La traviata, this new production of Carmen will enliven the Academy of Music for five performances, April 27-May 6.

One of the great singers of her generation, renowned for her extraordinary voice and musical versatility, American opera singer and recitalist Jessye Norman has been chosen as The Twelfth Glenn Gould Prize Laureate.  Throughout her career, the sheer size, power and luster of her voice has shared equal acclaim with that of her thoughtful music-making, innovative programming of the classics, and fervent advocacy of contemporary music.  More than forty years after making her operatic debut, Jessye Norman continues to maintain a busy performance schedule, now concentrating on recitals and concerts.

The Dallas Opera is proud to present an afternoon of magnificent orchestral works and one of the most gifted pianists in classical music today.  American pianist Andrew von Oeyen and The Dallas Opera Orchestra will perform a genuinely exciting twentieth-century masterworks: Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor.

As part of its continuing commitment to young artists, The Glenn Gould Foundation presents thirteen-year-old music prodigy Alma Deutscher in her Canadian debut performance on April 13, 2018 at 8 PM at Koerner Hall (273 Bloor Street West). This extraordinarily gifted young musician will perform a concert in celebration of the international jury for the twelfth Glenn Gould Prize who will be in attendance. 

Opera's reigning queen of bel canto, Canadian-American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, returns to the Canadian Opera Company this spring to close its 2017/2018 season with Donizetti's Tudor drama, Anna Bolena. Last performed at the COC in 1984, the opera captures the tumultuous final days of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, as she fights for her honour and her life. Anna Bolenaruns for nine performances on April 28, May 3, 5, 8, 11, 16, 20, 24, 26, 2018.

Academy Award-nominated actor, painter, poet, and musician Viggo Mortensen (United States/Denmark) will chair the international jury panel for the twelfth Glenn Gould Prize which includes tattoo and makeup artist, musician, entrepreneur and television personality Kat Von D (United States); Academy and Grammy Award-winning director of film, opera and theatre, and accomplished screenwriter Francois Girard (Canada); singer and actress Ute Lemper (Germany); writer and former Chief Justice The Right Honourable Beverly McLachlin (Canada); painter Naeemeh Naeemaei (Iran); acclaimed soprano Sondra Radvanovsky (Canada/United States); Academy Award-winning composer and conductor Howard Shore, OC (Canada); kora virtuoso and composer Foday Musa Suso (Gambia/United States); and award-winning composer and Chairman of the China Musicians' Association Professor Ye Xiaogang (China).

The winners of the 47th annual George London Foundation Awards Competition for young American and Canadian opera singers were announced at the conclusion of the competition's final round this evening, which took place before an enthusiastic audience at Gilder Lehrman Hall at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City.

Accelerating his arrival as Music Director by two seasons, Yannick Nezet-Seguin will take up the post in time for the start of the Metropolitan Opera's 2018-19 season, it was announced today.

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock today announced plans for the 2018 19 Season. The Company's 96th Season will open Friday, September 7 with a gala double-bill performance of Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in Jos Cura's production with an international cast featuring Lianna Haroutounian, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Roberto Aronica, Marco Berti and Dimitri Platanias, conducted by Daniele Callegari. To usher in the new opera season, San Francisco Opera Guild will produce its signature benefit event, Opera Ball 2018.

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock today announced plans for the 2018 19 Season. The Company's 96th Season will open Friday, September 7 with a gala double-bill performance of Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in Jos Cura's production with an international cast featuring Lianna Haroutounian, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Roberto Aronica, Marco Berti and Dimitri Platanias, conducted by Daniele Callegari. To usher in the new opera season, San Francisco Opera Guild will produce its signature benefit event, Opera Ball 2018.

Season 12 of Great Performances at the Met begins with a new production of Bellini's masterpiece about a woman scorned, conducted by Carlo Rizzi. Norma stars Sondra Radvanovsky as the titular druid high priestess, opposite Joyce DiDonato as Norma's new rival and Joseph Calleja as her unfaithful lover a casting dream for bel canto fans.

On Friday, February 16, 2018, 16 of the best young American and Canadian opera singers will perform with pianist Craig Rutenberg before a panel of judges and an enthusiastic audience at The Morgan Library & Museum. At the event's conclusion, six of them will be named this year's winners of the George London Award, an honor that has been conferred upon hundreds of the best young singers since 1971. The award, currently a $10,000 prize, is named for the legendary Canadian-American bass-baritone, one of the greatest opera singers of 20th century.

Palm Beach residents Jane and John Shalam hosted Palm Beach Opera's Gala Kickoff Reception on Dec. 12 to celebrate the company's upcoming Gala and to commend the event's sponsors and supporters.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) presents 'Elizabeth Cree,' a suspenseful and thrilling tale set in Victorian London, based on the novel 'The Trial of Elizabeth Cree' by Peter Ackroyd.

Palm Springs Opera Guild, one of the longest-standing cultural institutions in the Coachella Valley, has selected eight emerging opera stars to compete at the upcoming 34th Annual Dorothy Nocita Memorial Palm Springs Vocal Competition on Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 3 5:30 PM. This annual free event provides an opportunity for eight emerging young opera singers to compete for nearly $40,000 in prizes, earn community recognition for their achievements, and advance their careers. The event will take place at the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center, located at 31001 Rattler Road in Rancho Mirage.

According to Opera News, Siberian Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky has died at age 55, following a battle with brain cancer. His family released a statement highlighting Hvorostovsky's accomplishments and celebrating his life.

The 2009 winner of the George London-Leonie Rysanek Award and American opera's latest Rigoletto: Marjorie Owens, soprano, and Quinn Kelsey, baritone, with Myra Huang, piano, will offer the second event in the season's George London Foundation Recital Series at The Morgan Library & Museum on Sunday, December 10, 2017, at 4:00 pm.

Musical America has named Francisco J. N ez, artistic director and founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York City, its 2018 Educator of the Year.

As part of celebrations for its upcoming 2017-2018 season, Palm Beach Opera held a private dinner at The Lotos Club, New York, hosted by Mrs. Florence Kaufman, Palm Beach Opera Board Member.

Francisco J. N ez, Artistic Director and Founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC), was today announced as the recipient of Musical America's Educator of the Year award.