Houston Grand Opera (HGO) Managing Director Perryn Leech and Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers today announced the appointment of Brian Speck as director of the Houston Grand Opera Studio, the company's renowned young artist program, effective February 1. A trained singer who transitioned into administration, Speck for the past two years has been HGO's company manager, responsible for coordinating all day-to-day rehearsal activities of the company and for supporting its guest artists.
Houston Grand Opera is proud to present The Magic Flute, one of two Mozart offerings for the 2014–15 season. From the coloratura pyrotechnics of the Queen of the Night to Pamina's anguished lament, to the comic love duet of Papageno and Papagena, Mozart's genius is evident as the music in The Magic Flute illustrates his unique and profound understanding of humanity. The Magic Flute marks the American premiere of Sir Nicholas Hytner's iconic English National Opera staging, in a revival directed by Ian Rutherford.
Houston Grand Opera will partner with Houston organizations for a public book signing with esteemed English actor, director, and author Simon Callow; and for a children's book drive during the run of the company's world premiere production ofA Christmas Carol this December.
Lyric Opera of Kansas City continues its 57th season with a very special event, Vinson Cole & Friends, on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 4pm at the historic Folly Theatre. This benefit for Lyric Opera will include Christine Brewer and Daniel Belcher for an evening of opera classics. All have strong Missouri ties: Daniel Belcher called Kansas City home for several years and performed with Lyric Opera of Kansas City several times. Christine Brewer began her career with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and performed several times with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Vinson Cole, a beloved Kansas City treasure, received his training at University of Missouri-Kansas City and is currently a member of the faculty of their Conservatory of Music and Dance.
On February 6, Richard Tucker and Plácido Domingo Award-winner Ailyn Pérez makes her house debut at New York's Metropolitan Opera in a star-studded production of Bizet's Carmen. This marks a major milestone for the American soprano, and comes at a key moment in her burgeoning career. Having achieved star status in Europe with a string of successes at the opera houses of London, Vienna, Milan, Berlin, and Moscow - her title role performance in Verdi's La Traviata this past spring at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden made history with the company's first live streaming of a complete opera, and she made her debut at La Scala opposite Plácido Domingo in Simon Boccanegra - Pérez recently scored twin triumphs closer to home. This past summer, her Warner Classics album debut, Love Duets, was an 'irresistible' (Gramophone) Billboard bestseller, and earlier this fall she took Houston by storm in her house and role debuts as Desdemona in Houston Grand Opera's Otello, where she supplied 'white hot passion...in spades' (Houston Press).
Houston Grand Opera will partner with Houston organizations for a public book signing with esteemed English actor, director, and author Simon Callow; and for a children's book drive during the run of the company's world premiere production ofA Christmas Carol this December.
Francis Patrelle, founder of Dances Patrelle will be honored with the Kaatsbaan Award at the Starburst of Dance Gala tonight, November 15, 2014 at the Kaatsbaan International Dance Center. For more information on the gala, visit http://www.kaatsbaan.org/events.html.
Francis Patrelle, founder of Dances Patrelle will be honored with the Kaatsbaan Award at the Starburst of Dance Gala on November 15, 2014 at the Kaatsbaan International Dance Center. For more information on the gala, visit http://www.kaatsbaan.org/events.html.
Join Houston Grand Opera for an evening of celebration as it opens its 60th anniversary season with a dramatic production of Verdi's Otello followed by an evening of entertainment and fundraising at the Opening Night Dinner Celebration at the Wortham Theater Center. Otello is sung by an internationally acclaimed cast, led by Simon O'Neill, Ailyn Pérez, Marco Vratogna, Norman Reinhardt, Victoria Livengood, and Morris Robinson.
American tenor Jay Hunter Morris will replace Anthony Dean Griffey in Houston Grand Opera's world premiere production of A Christmas Carol, it was announced today by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. Mr. Griffey has withdrawn for health reasons. The 90-minute opera, commissioned by HGO from composer Iain Bell and librettist Simon Callow, is written for a single singer performing the role of The Narrator. A Christmas Carol runs from December 5 through 21, 2014, at the Wortham Theater Center, and is suitable for ages 12 and up.
Tenor Norman Reinhardt will sing the role of Ferrando in Houston Grand Opera's production of Così fan tutte, it was announced today by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. He replaces Stephen Costello, who has withdrawn due to illness. Mr. Reinhardt is in Houston to perform the role of Cassio in Verdi's Otello and will play Ferrando concurrently. Otello opens October 24, and Cosi fan tutte opens October 31.
Join Houston Grand Opera for an evening of celebration as it opens its 60th anniversary season with a dramatic production of Verdi's Otello followed by an evening of entertainment and fundraising at the Opening Night Dinner Celebration at the Wortham Theater Center. Otello is sung by an internationally acclaimed cast, led by Simon O'Neill, Ailyn Pérez, Marco Vratogna, Norman Reinhardt, Victoria Livengood, and Morris Robinson.
San Francisco Opera recently announced a cast change for the Company's season-opening new production of Vincenzo Bellini's Norma, presented September 5-30, 2014 at the War Memorial Opera House. American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton--recent winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition--will make her Company debut as Adalgisa for five of the opera's seven performances today, September 5 and September 10, 14, 27 and 30. Ms. Barton replaces Daveda Karanas, who has withdrawn from the production for personal reasons. A casting update for the September 19 & 23 performances will be announced at a later date.
San Francisco Opera's 2014-15 Season opens tonight, September 5, 2014 with a dramatic new production of Vincenzo Bellini's bel canto masterpiece Norma, starring American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in one of opera's most dazzling and demanding roles. American mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas is the young priestess Adalgisa; Italian tenor Marco Berti is Pollione; and American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn is Oroveso. Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus and Director Kevin Newbury and set designer David Korins return to San Francisco Opera to premiere this vivid, large-scale new co-production with Toronto's Canadian Opera Company, Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Norma runs for seven performances through September 30.
Lyric Opera of Kansas City opens its 57th season with Giuseppe Verdi's lush and grand opera, La Traviata, September 27, October 1, 3 and 5, 2014 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The production will be sung in Italian with English and Italian titles.
San Francisco Opera today announced a cast change for the Company's season-opening new production of Vincenzo Bellini's Norma, presented September 5-30, 2014 at the War Memorial Opera House. American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton--recent winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition--will make her Company debut as Adalgisa for five of the opera's seven performances on September 5, 10, 14, 27 and 30. Ms. Barton replaces Daveda Karanas, who has withdrawn from the production for personal reasons. A casting update for the September 19 & 23 performances will be announced at a later date.
San Francisco Opera Guild presents an Insight Panel Discussion exploring Carlisle Floyd's iconic American opera Susannah. Insight Panels feature renowned cast and production team members, sharing behind-the-scenes experiences and inspirations during informal discussions. The Susannah Insight Panel provides the rare opportunity to learn about the opera directly from award-winning 88-year-old composer and librettist Carlisle Floyd. One of the foremost composers and librettists of opera in the United States, Floyd has written a total of 11 operas and is currently completing his twelfth. Joining Carlisle Floyd on the panel are San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley, soprano Patricia Racette, director Michael Cavanagh and conductor Karen Kamensek. The discussion takes placeThursday, August 28 at 6 p.m. in the Concert Hall at San Francisco Conservatory of Music (50 Oak Street).
San Francisco Opera's 2014-15 Season opens September 5, 2014 with a dramatic new production of Vincenzo Bellini's bel canto masterpiece Norma, starring American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in one of opera's most dazzling and demanding roles. American mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas is the young priestess Adalgisa; Italian tenor Marco Berti is Pollione; and American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn is Oroveso. Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus and Director Kevin Newbury and set designer David Korins return to San Francisco Opera to premiere this vivid, large-scale new co-production with Toronto's Canadian Opera Company, Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Norma runs for seven performances through September 30.
Houston Grand Opera capped a financially and artistically successful 2013–14 season by presenting Mieczyslaw Weinberg's The Passenger —the Polish-Jewish composer's long-suppressed Holocaust opera—to wide acclaim at New York's Park Avenue Armory as part of the Lincoln Center Festival, July 10–13. Earlier this year, HGO gave the American premiere of the work in Houston with the same cast. There was special praise for the production and performances, conducted by HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. New York magazine described David Pountney's staging as “a multi-story set so vivid you can practically smell the machine oil and coal smoke,” while the Financial Times said: “The production, imported from Houston, is imposing in every way.” The New York Times called the cast “flawless,” adding: “The conductor, Patrick Summers, drew a surging, textured, richly detailed performance of this challenging score (lasting three hours) from the inspired musicians of the Houston Grand Opera.” WQXR's Operavore summed up the import of the performances: “The Passenger shows how a Holocaust opera can hold the stage while examining important, complex issues—and could certainly point the way for future composers to deal with such important but delicate subject matter.”
Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced the roster of emerging artists and renowned vocal coaches engaged for the 13th season of its Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Under the leadership of program director Michael Heaston, the Domingo- Cafritz Young Artist Program continues to increase its number of performances throughout the season and expand its training regimen to include mentorship by its returning Artist in Residence, the acclaimed American soprano Deborah Voigt. Additional faculty members include voice teachers Diana Soviero and William Stone; guest vocal coaches Be?ne?dicte Jourdois, Kathleen Kelly, and Danielle Orlando; career consultants Ken Benson and Matthew Epstein; and guest drama coaches Peter Kazaras and Alan Paul, among others. The new class of young artists will participate in several world premiere productions during the 2014-2015 season as part of
