By David Salazar
Opera Baltimore is set to present “Opera on the Avenue” on Oct. 8, 2022.
The showcase will be presented in partnership with the Arch Social Community Network, the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Black Arts District, and No Boundaries Youth Organizers.
The daytime event opens at 600 Cumberland Street and the Pennsylvania Avenue Branch of the Pratt Library. It will be followed by a ticketed event at University Baptist Church that night.
Both showcases will highlight soprano Anne Wiggins Brown, who was born and raised in the neighborhood before going on to create the role of Bess in Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” The project will be led by soprano, writer, and educator Adrienne Danrich and will also feature include Kendrick “Dj 5Starr” Tilghman, Like Water, Lady Brion, Christian Simmons, Victoria Davis, and Ka Nyoung Yoo. The evening performance will also star Deontay Gray, Gene Alestock, and Evander McClean.
By David Salazar
The Violin Channel is set to present “A Year to the Day” on Oct. 7, 2022 at 7 p.m.
The dramatic song cycle by composer Lembit Beecher with lyrics by librettist Mark Campbell, which explores the life of an artist during the pandemic, will feature performances by tenor Nicholas Phan, violinist Augustin Hadeluch, pianist Orion Weiss, and cellist Karen Ouzounian.
“I created the text of ‘A Year to the Day’ to honor musicians and the challenges they face in their professions, duels that became even more evident during the pandemic,” Campbell said in an official press statement. He added that he was inspired by this theme after watching his colleagues struggle during the darkest days of the epidemic.
“’A Year to the Day’ is ultimately an account of artistic survival and renewal during the bizarre and terrifying time of the pandemic lockdown,” added Phan. “Having the chance to collaborate with both Mark and Lembit for the first time as well as reunite with dear friends and colleagues Karen, Augustin, and Orion was a dream come true after the nightmare of the forced isolation of the pandemic.”
The performance can be streamed directly on Violin Channel’s official website.
By David Salazar
Sweden’s Göteborg Opera has announced its 2022-23 season.
The season opens with “The Bartered Bride” starring Mattias Ermedahl, Carolina Sandgren, Matilda Sterby, Anders Lorentzoson, and Katarina Giotas. Alevtina Ioffe and Jirí Rozen alternate conducting duties while Mellika Melouani Melani directs.
Performance Date: Sept 17 – Oct. 25, 2022
Next up is “Rigoletto” starring Davide Giusti, Ólafur Sigurdarson, Ida Fak, Mats Almgren, and Katarina Giotas, among others. Francesco Angelico conducts with David Bösch directing.
Performance Date: Sept. 18 & 24, 2022
Johanna Fridolfsson and Malin Aghed’s “Sandvargen” will get a world premiere with Emelie Sigelius directing and the composer conducting. Hanna Brehmer, Åke Zetterström, Viktor Johansson, and Viveca Rydén Mårtensson star.
Performance Date: Nov. 12 – 27, 2022
“Les Contes d’Hoffmann” will star Tomas Lind, Joachim, Bäckström, and Brian Michael Moore (three singers for the title role). Other cast members include Katarina Karnéus, Kerstin Avemo (playing the three heroines), Daniel Ralphsson, Markus Pettersson, and Daniel Hayes, among others. Sébastien Rouland conducts with Krystian Lada directing.
Performance Date: Nov. 26, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023
Ida Falk Winland, Andrei Danilov, Thomas Atkins, Luthando Qave, Mia Karlsson, and Sofie Asplund star in “La Bohème.” Max Webster directs.
Performance Date: Jan. 21 – May 10, 2023
Strauss’ “Die schweigsame” will star Anders Lorentzson, Katarina Giotas, Hannes Öberg, Sofie Asplund, and Mia Karlsson, among others. Yoel Gamzou conducts and Barrie Kosky directs.
Performance Date: March 4 – April 6, 2023
The season closes with “Nabucco” conducted by Giancarlo Andretta and directed by Jacopo Spirei. The cast stars Mats Persson, Tomas Lind, Mats Almgren, Ann-Kristin Jones, Daniel Ralphsson, and Mia Karlsson.
Performance Date: May 20 – June 10, 2023
By Francisco Salazar
This week new albums by rising stars are being released. With these new releases audiences will also get a chance to hear rare works as well as some new works.
Maestrino Mozart
For her second collaboration on the ATMA Classique label, soprano Marie-Eve Munger releases an album devoted to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s rarely-heard arias composed between the ages of 10-16. Munger performs alongside Les Boréades de Montréal and conductor Philippe Bourque in a program curated to contradict any assumption that Mozart’s earliest works are merely simple or juvenile.
Munger says, “My own journey into this repertoire began at the start of my career, when I was lucky enough to be offered a role in ‘Il sogno di Scipione’ in New York. I had thought I knew the composer a little, but quickly realized my ignorance when I learned that Mozart had written no fewer than eight dramatic works before he reached the age of 17! My curiosity was piqued. During the last few years, I have collected what I thought to be his most exceptional arias and recitatives for soprano, written between the ages of 10 and 16. I hope to take the audience on a musical journey to try to gain some insight into the development of this incomparable phenomenon.”
A Tribute to Pauline Viardot
Mezzo soprano Marina Viotti joins Les Talens Lyriques and Christophe Rousset for an album of Gluck, Rossini, Doniaetti, Halévy, Bellini, Berlioz, Gounod, Saint-Saëns, and Massenet. Aparté releases.
Roma Travestita
Bruno de Sá’s Erato debut, “Roma travestita” features the young Brazilian singer exploring a period when women were banned from the public stages of Rome and men assumed female operatic roles. Joined by Il Pomo d’Oro and conductor Francesco Corti, de Sá performs arias from the 18th century: by Vivaldi, Alessandro Scarlatti, Vinci, Galuppi and Piccinni, and by the rarely heard Capua, Arena, Cocchi, Conforto and Garcìa Fajer.
the script of storms
New Focus Recordings releases composer Michael Hersch’s “the script of storms.” The album features two works by Hersch: “cortex” and “ankle” based on texts by Christopher Middleton, and the script of storms based on texts by Fawzi Karim.
Performed by Netherlands-based Ensemble Klang, “cortex” and “ankle” features acclaimed soprano Ah Young Hong. Meanwhile, “the script of storms” is performed by Ah Young Hong and the BBC Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Tito Muñoz.
Kraina
Lexicon Classics releases Kraina, a new album featuring rarely heard Polish art songs sung by Polish American soprano Alexandra Nowakowski and played by Polish pianist Michał Biel.
The artistic team recorded the album in a Polish concert hall Nowa Miodowa, with Polish sound engineer Mateusz Banasiuk. The album’s artwork also includes images by Polish photographers, Karpati&Zarewicz.
The album feature curated songs by Chopin, Paderewski, Szymanowski, and the most famous in Poland for art songs and opera, Moniuszko.
By David Salazar
The Atlanta Opera has announced the Glynn Studio Artists for 2022-23.
This year’s artists include stage director Bruno Baker, soprano Alexis Seminario, bass Edwin Jhamal Davis, mezzo Gretchen Krupp, and tenor Kameron Lopreore; Baker and Krupp are returning artists while Davis, Lopreore, and Seminario will be making their debuts. These artists will have an opportunity to work with established artists and also participate in The Atlanta Opera’s productions as covers and performers.
“We’re excited to welcome this remarkable group of up-and-coming artists to Atlanta,” said Tomer Zvulun, the Carl W. Knobloch Jr. General & Artistic Director, in an official press statement. “The Studio program, which we first launched in 2016, has become a major focus for our company, and we are very proud of the talent and relationships that it has nurtured. As I reflect on my ten years with The Atlanta Opera, the development of this program is one of the achievements I’m most proud of.”
Baker has worked as assistant director with The Atlanta Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and Madison Opera. He also directed a revival of “Fellow Travelers” at Opera Columbus. Meanwhile, Seminario has performed with Des Moines Metro Opera and Richmond Symphony Orchestra, among others. Davis has appeared with On Site Opera, Florentine Opera, and Detroit Opera. Krupp will be covering “Bluebeard’s Castle” this season at The Atlanta Opera and will take on roles in “Madama Butterfly,” “Candide,” and “Das Rheingold.” She will also perform in “Our Sacred World.” Finally, Lopreore will be featured in AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire” and has appeared at the Glimmerglass Festival.
By David Salazar
La Jolla Music Society has announced its 2022-23 season at The Conrad.
For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances.
Isabel Leonard and guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas will perform music by Albéniz, De Falla, Rodrigo, Barrera, Bonfá, Carrillo, Gardel, Tárrega, García-Lorca, and Lara.
Performance Date: Dec. 1, 2022
Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato will present her famed “Eden” program alongside Il Pomo d’Oro under conductor Zefira Valova.
Performance Date: Jan. 18, 2023
There will also be a Jazz Series, a Piano Series, a Dance Series, a Chamber Music Series, a Global Roots Series, and Speaker Series, among others featuring a wide array of different musicians from around the world.
By David Salazar
San Francisco-based Opera Parallèle has announced its 2022-23 season.
The season kicks off with “Everest: An Immersive Experience.” The Talbot and Scheer opera will be conducted by Nicole Paiement and directed by Brian Staufenbiel. Sasha Cooke, Nathan Granner, Kevin Burdette, Hadleigh Adams, Charlotte Fanvu, Matt Boehler, Shawnette Sulker, Whitney Steele, and Kevin Gino.
Performance Dates: Feb. 2-12, 2023
Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s “The Shining” is next to take the stage in a production by Brian Staufenbiel. Nicole Paiement conducts a cast starring Edward Parks, Kearstin Piper Brown, Aubrey Allicock, David Walton, Nathan Granner, Timothy Murray, and Eugene Brancoveanu.
Performance Dates: June 2-4, 2023
The company will also present its Hands-On-Opera program, featuring a workshop with composer Kenji Oh and librettist Kelley Rourke for their work “The Emissary.” The work will be premiered during the 2023-24 season.
The organization will also showcase “The Bullhorn,” which allows the company to present special performances to schools and community groups.
Finally, there will be a benefit celebration.
Performance Date: April 26, 2023
“The upcoming season continues what OP does best — bring contemporary stories with exhilarating narratives to the stage through incredible musical scores from living composers, and engage Bay Area audiences in unexpected ways as we continue to explore new technologies that enhance the power of opera. These well-known and loved stories unpack the power of human resilience to overcome. Behind everything we do — our productions, events and Bullhorn Community Programs — is an invitation to connect and explore what it means collectively and individually, to be engaged in shaping a more inclusive world,” Paiment, who is also the company’s General and Artistic Director, said in an official press release.
Solomiya Krushelnytska is a Ukrainian opera singer and a national legend. Her extraordinary voice and excellent acting won the hearts of millions – from Lviv to Warsaw, Odesa to Paris, Milan, Naples to Cairo, Barcelona, Lisbon and Buenos Aires.
On September 23, we and the whole world celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the famous opera diva; this date is included in the list of commemorations and anniversaries observed by UNESCO.
You can download the celebration files here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cKhB2T9jzDZCs2qjs0nfOykCBgcT2hN3?usp=sharing
Lviv National Opera, which was named after Solomiya Krushelnytska in 2000, prepares a series of musical events dedicated to the anniversary of the patroness. They include a grand concert conducted by a famous Italian maestro, opera, drama and ballet dedicated to the singer, a lecture-concert, an exhibition, a book presentation and even a concert of young musicians.
All events dedicated to Solomiya Krushelnytskyi take place at Lviv National Opera from September 23 to October 2 and are supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. Event partners are UNESCO, the State Agency of Ukraine for Arts and Art Education, the Embassy of the Italian Republic in Kyiv, the Institute of Italian Culture in Kyiv, Giacomo Puccini International Festival, Solomiya Krushelnytska Memorial Music Museum in Lviv, Lviv State Music Lyceum named after Solomiya Krushelnytska. Information partners are Radio Kultura and FM Halychyna.
Lviv National Opera presents the Grand Concert "Solomiya. Brava!" on the day of the 150th birth anniversary of Solomia Krushelnytska. Guest singers from all opera theatres of Ukraine, soloists, choir and orchestra of Lviv National Opera will perform in the concert under the baton of invited star conductor from Italy, Alberto Veronesi. The maestro has collaborated with opera theatres and symphony orchestras in Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the USA, etc., and will perform on the stage of Lviv Opera for the first time.
During the celebration of the anniversary of Solomiya Krushelnytska, you can learn more about her life. The exhibition "The Story of the Triumph" on the first balcony of the theatre features the main stages of her career. The exhibition will be opened on the day of the singer's anniversary. Also, you can visit the lecture-concert "Renowned and Unknown Krushelnytska". To honour the singer, Lviv Opera presents famous works of world art – the opera "Madama Butterfly" by G. Puccini, the ballet "The Return of Butterfly" by G. Puccini and M. Skoryk, the drama "Salome" by N. Davydovska on the main and chamber stages of the theatre. Solomiya will also appear on the pages of Oleksandr Balabak's new book "Kimono for Butterfly", which will be presented in the Mirror Hall of the theatre.
Two concerts will close the anniversary celebrations: Italian virtuoso guitarist Simone Onnis will perform famous opera arias in instrumental translation; the youngest musicians from Lviv Music Lyceum named after Solomiya Krushelnytska will also impress the audience with their performance dedicated to the patroness.
Events dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of Solomiya Krushelnytska at Lviv National Opera:
September 23, Friday
17:00, Hallway of the first balcony
THE STORY OF THE TRIUMPH
Opening of the exhibition. Design – Serhii Petliuk. Curator – Mykhailo Kobryn
Ticketed entry
18:00, Auditorium (Online broadcast)
SOLOMIYA. BRAVA!
Grand concert of world opera music from the repertoire of Solomiya Krushelnytska
Performed by guest singers and soloists, chorus and orchestra of Lviv National Opera. Conductor – Alberto Veronesi (Italy)
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qATpyG
September 24, Saturday
14:00, Mirror Hall
RENOWNED AND UNKNOWN KRUSHELNYTSKA
Lecture-concert. In cooperation with Solomiya Krushelnytska Memorial Music Museum in Lviv
Admission by invitation (can be obtained free of charge at the theatre box office)
16:00, Mirror Hall
OLEKSANDR BALABKO "KIMONO FOR BUTTERFLY"
Book presentation
Admission by invitation (can be obtained free of charge at the theatre box office)
18:00, Auditorium
THE RETURN OF BUTTERFLY
G. Puccini – M. Skoryk. Ballet in 2 acts
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3RYNIpX
September 25, Sunday
15:00, Mirror Hall
SALOME
Mystical drama based on the poetic script of Nataliia Davydovska and dedicated to Solomiya Krushelnytska
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3qxsFza
18:00, Auditorium
MADAMA BUTTERFLY
G. Puccini. Opera in 3 acts. Guest tenor – Oleh Zlakoman (Odesa)
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3BBfq6J
September 29, Thursday
18:00, Mirror Hall
ITALIAN EVENING
Concert of the chamber music. Simone Onnis – guitar (Italy)
Supported by the Institute of Italian Culture
Tickets: https://bit.ly/3QDmWCv
By David Salazar
The Orchestra of St. Luke’s has announced its 2022-23 season.
For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances.
The company will present Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Lincoln Center (Rose Theater). The opera, which will be conducted by Ted Sperling and directed by Sammi Cannold, will star Ginger Costa-Jackson, Mikaela Bennett, and John Brancy.
Performance Date: Oct. 25, 2022
Soprano Elena Villalón will headline a concert at Carnegie Hall that features music from Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and piano concerto. Harry Bicket conducts.
Performance Date: Nov. 17, 2022
Bernard Labadie will lead another concert at Carnegie Hall starring Joélle Harvey, Iestyn Davies, and Matthew Brook. The showcase features music by Händel.
Performance Date: April 13, 2023
Soprano Liv Redpath leads a concert featuring music by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn at the Kaufmann Music Center. She will perform alongside pianist David Fung.
Performance Date: May 2 & 3, 2023
The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys will perform music by Copland, Rorem, Barber, and Trevor Weston under the musical direction of Jeremy Filsell.
Performance Date: May 16, 2023
Countertenor Hugh Cutting will lead a performance of music by Bach and Händel at Carnegie Hall. Bernard Labadie conducts.
Performance Date: June 20, 2023
By Chris Ruel
New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program has announced the addition of two composers to its existing roster of nine working on high-profile co-commissions. The newly selected composers are Katherine Balch and Clarice Assad.
Katherine Balch will compose a work co-commissioned by lead orchestras, the New York Philharmonic and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, while Clarice Assad’s composition will be premiered by the lead commissioner, The Saint Paul Orchestra, with further premieres by New York-based American Composers Orchestra, the Chicago Sinfonietta, and Houston’s ROCO.
Balch is a recipient of the 2020-21 Rome Prize and has had works presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Tokyo Symphony, IRCAM ManiFeste, and Tanglewood. Her compositions explore found sounds, playfulness, intimate spaces, and natural processes.
Assad is a Brazilian American and Grammy-nominated composer with a significant presence in many musical genres, from classical to pop and jazz, and as a pianist, vocalist, and educator. Musically, she is known for her evocative colors, rich textures, and diverse stylistic range.
“At New Music USA we believe that the programming of more pieces by living composers from a multitude of backgrounds will transform orchestral music for current and future generations,” the organization’s President and CEO, Vanessa Reed, said in a press statement. “It’s encouraging to see the pace at which orchestras are expanding their repertoire. To sustain this momentum, long-term commitments and collaborations are key. That’s why we’re honored to receive new and continued funds through which we’re building on the work facilitated by our founding partners in 2020 to create long-lasting change for composers, orchestras and their audiences.”
The two will join composers Valerie Coleman, Juan Pablo Contreras, Vijay Iyer, Tania León, Jessie Montgomery, Brian Raphael Nabors, Nina Shekhar, Tyshawn Sorey, and Shelley Washington.
Amplifying Voices continues New Music USA’s work to create racial and gender equity in the music industry. The long-term program increases the support and promotion of historically marginalized composers. It creates a space for their artistic planning at major orchestras to transform the classical canon for future generations. The program also asks orchestras to commit to sharing existing repertoire by BIPOC and women composers.
