Thomas Russell News

Three of the world's most accomplished Verdians—soprano Tamara Wilson, tenor Russell Thomas, and conductor and Lyric Opera of Chicago Music Director Enrique Mazzola—will marshal their powerful musical forces alongside the Lyric Opera Orchestra for a special concert event: Verdi Voices on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Tickets are on sale now.

Midsommer Flight's perennial holiday production of TWELFTH NIGHT will return in December, in a new immersive “choose-your-own-path” concept to be directed by Kristina McCloskey and associate directed by Stephanie Mattos.

Midsommer Flight's perennial holiday production of TWELFTH NIGHT will return in December, in a new immersive “choose-your-own-path” concept to be directed by Kristina McCloskey and associate directed by Stephanie Mattos.

On October 14, 2021, San Francisco Opera presented Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, in a well-thought-out production with an outstanding cast. Matthew Ozawa directed the action in a prison of the current era. There, Leonore, a prisoner’s wife disguises herself as a male worker and rescues her husband from unjust incarceration.

Tour members meet on the Flying Opera Magic Carpet for a week of American and international performances. Our first stop is at San Francisco Opera, for Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven online October 14, 17, and 30, 2021. Cost- $25.

Virtual tickets for San Francisco Opera's livestreams of its new production of Ludwig van Beethoven's Fidelio—a brand-new online offering by the Company—go on sale today, October 5 at 1pm PT.

Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim conducts the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Chorus and cast in this monumental work in which love and courage overcome tyranny. Director Matthew Ozawa’s interpretation of the work updates its original eighteenth-century prison setting to a modern government detention center.

Lyric Opera of Chicago has recorded Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci on film. Last week, the company announced that registration was open for audiences to secure free links to screen the new Pagliacci made at the Lyric Opera House. Audiences can now secure a free, on-demand viewing of this verismo production. More information about the production and reservations are available at lyricopera.org/pagliacci. 

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced that registration is now open for audiences to secure a free link to screen its new, original film production of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, made at the Lyric Opera House. Audiences can now secure a free, on-demand viewing of this verismo production. More information about the production and reservations are available at lyricopera.org/pagliacci.

Mid afternoon, our tour group meets on the Magic Opera Flying Carpet at Los Angeles Airport (LAX).  We watch LA Opera’s digital short entitled Gallup, or Na'nízhoozhí in Navajo. The scene incorporates the high desert New Mexico landscape and the city famed for Navajo jewelry. Tour members should wear the  biggest and best turquoise they have for the show!

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced this week that registration is now open for audiences to secure a free link to screen the new, original film production of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, filmed at the Lyric Opera House. Audiences can now secure a free, on-demand viewing of this gripping production for screenings that begin tomorrow, August 19.

Schmidt Vocal Arts has announced the first national prize in the history of the Schmidt Vocal Competition, in celebration of its 25th anniversary season. This annual event for U.S. high school students, funded by the William E. Schmidt Foundation, sees 400+ singers compete each year – this season for more than $625K in cash awards and scholarships.

Raehann Bryce-Davis’s Brown Sounds is a joyous celebration of  Black art, Black bodies, and Black consciousness that we watch on our way to the Bay Area. Bryce-Davis is currently singing Verdi and Wagner at Glimmerglass.

In his first appearance with Fort Worth Opera, globally acclaimed superstar tenor Russell Thomas joins renowned soprano Elaine Alvarez, critically acclaimed mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Paz, and rising young baritone Spencer Reichman for an evening of thrilling performances, accompanied by FWO Artistic Director and composer Joe Illick.

In anticipation of San Francisco Opera's return to the War Memorial Opera House stage for the opening of its 99th season, beginning with Puccini's Tosca on August 21, the Company has added two weekly, free opera streams for the month of August: Richard Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (August 7–8) and Gaetano Donizetti's Roberto Devereux (August 14–15).

After Hours: Songs of Protest honors and celebrates a wide range of passionate music that galvanizes activists for social justice. This program of iconic songs, made famous by performers like Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, and Sam Cooke, is specially curated by Host and Artist in Residence Russell Thomas. Soprano Brandie Sutton, baritone Justin Austin.

After fourteen years of producing a nationally recognized Festival in the springtime, the organization will return to a year-round format, as it looks to expand its presence and visibility in the growing North Texas arts scene.

On the Los Angeles Opera website, Igor Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex is available to stream now thru July 18th. Stravinsky based his opera Oedipus Rex on the ancient Greek tragedy by Sophocles. Oedipus Rex, is staged with minimal movement, which works well with COVID restrictions. A narrator describes the action in English.

This is the last week to watch Los Angeles Opera’s online Signature Recital Series which gives viewers exclusive online access to fine performances filmed in stunning venues around the world. The series includes unforgettable singing by mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, tenor Russell Thomas, soprano Christine Goerke, mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, and soprano Julia Bullock—a breathtaking showcase of vocal magic. 

The new Signature Recital Series gives you exclusive access to astounding performances in intimate performances-filmed in stunning venues across the country and in Europe-streamed directly to your home screen.