By David Salazar
Opera Columbus has announced that Sarah Dahnke will be its second Crane Directing Fellow.
Dahnke is a choreographer, dance artist, arts educator, and the artistic director of Dances for Solidarity who has received commissions from PEN America and A Studio in the Woods. She has also held residences at Abron Arts Center and Brooklyn Studios for Dance. She created a dance film work that screened with such organizations as the Dance Films Association, Tiny Dance Film Festival, DanceBarn Collective, BRIC, and Movies By Movers.
In her role, Dahnke will assist on mainstage productions of “La Cenerentola,” “Maria de Buenos Aires,” and “Rigoletto.” She will also direct the education tour. In 2023-24, she will direct a mainstage production.
“As the opera industry continues to work toward greater equity and diversity, we at Opera Columbus knew that our greatest potential for impact was to create direct opportunities to support and train BIPOC stage directors,” saidJulia Noulin-Mérat, General Director + CEO of Opera Columbus, in an official press statement. “This fellowship provides a paid opportunity for these artists to gain direct experience working on mainstage productions, and we couldn’t be more fortunate in our second year than to welcome the brilliant Sarah Dahnke to the company.”
By Francisco Salazar
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège has announced that Dayner Tafur Diaz is the winner of the second edition of the International Competition for Opera Conductors.
The second place went to Giulio Cilona while the third place went to Luis Toro Araya. All three performed with the Salle Philharmonique de Liège.
Diaz will take home the sum of €10,000, as well as an invitation to conduct a production at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. Cilona will win €4,000 and an invitation to conduct a production for young audiences at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. Finally, Araya will take home €2,000, as well as a contract as assistant musical director for a production at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège.
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège next opens a production of “Lakmé.”
By Francisco Salazar
The Royal Opera Muscat in Oman has announced its 2022-23 season.
Here is a look at the operatic productions.
The season opens with Verdi’s “La Traviata” starring Plácido Domingo. Marta Domingo directs the production which will also star Nino Machaidze and Vittorio Grigolo. The opera will be performed by the Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro Carlo Felice of Genova conducted by Giampaolo Bisanti.
Performance Dates: Sept. 22-24, 2022
Donald Runnicles will conduct Humperdinck’s “Hansël und Gretel” and will feature the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Performance Dates: Oct. 28 & 29, 2022
The Rossini Opera Festiva will present “La Cambiale di Matrimonio” conducted by Alessandro Bonato.
Performance Dates: Nov. 24 & 26, 2022
Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” will be performed by the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari conducted by Jordi Bernacer. The opera stars Nina Minasyan, René Barbera, and Erwin Schrott.
Performance Dates: Jan 5 & 7, 2023
Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” will be presented with the historical direction of Giorgio Strehler and performed by the Accademia Teatro alla Scala conducted by Sesto Quatrini.
Performance Dates: Feb. 16 & 18, 2023
The season concludes with Mozart’s “Così fan Tutte” presented by Opera Australia. Sir David McVicar directs and Sebastian Lang-Lessing conducts.
Performance Dates: May 6 & 9, 2023
Concerts
The Opera Hits concert will feature the Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro Lirico di Cagliari conducted by Gaetano Lo Coco.
Performance Date: Jan. 6, 2023
By Francisco Salazar
(Courtesy of Musco Center)
Plácido Domingo has broken his silence regarding audiotapes that were captured by law enforcement during a raid to dismantle a criminal sect.
The audiotapes featured the voice of Domingo allegedly making a deal with one of the leaders of the organization. In response, the singer told Ventanenando, “You have seen that everything has proven that there is nothing. What I feel is that it was a group… of friends, that I considered musicians. On one occasion, I invited them to work, and unfortunately, it has not been like that. But well, I have nothing to do with that.”
He added, “it’s very sad when you think you have friends for many years and you realize that they used you.”
Domingo did not deny that it was his voice on the audiotapes.
Over the week law enforcement officers carried out dozens of raids in Buenos Aires targeting the Escuela de Yoga Buenos Aires, which “built a cult around its leader” and reduced members to “a situation of slavery and/or sexual exploitation.” Argentine Commissioner Ricardo Juri made it clear that Domingo is not being investigated because he is not part of the criminal sect. Juri said, “what is interpreted in the investigation is that they wanted to capture him through music, they knew that there was going to be a recital in April and, as a result, they did some errands to contact him. He communicated with Mendy, whom he had known for many years and they have met a couple of times.”
Domingo recently performed in Mexico and is currently in rehearsals for a gala concert at the Arena di Verona.
By Francisco Salazar
Pacific Opera Victoria’s conductor Timothy Vernon will step down next year from his position as Artistic Director.
The Canadian company announced that a search would begin shortly to hire a replacement.
Vernon was a co-founder of the company and will remain involved with Pacific Opera until his current five-year contract ends in June. He will assist the company on a periodic basis while it searches for its next Artistic Director. This season Veron will also conduct three productions “Carmen” (October), “The Birds” (February), and “Così fan tutte” (April).
Pacific Opera Victoria’s CEO Ian Rye said, “It will be a hard transition, after 43 years with the company. But at the same time, it will be a privilege to celebrate him this year. We’re not saying goodbye, we’re saying thank you.”
Vernon added, “I’ve got 10 years of energy and ideas and plans left.”
Vernon has been committed to Victoria’s arts community and has mentored numerous young performers over the years. His accolades include the Order of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award.
He has also been a guest conductor with symphonies in Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Montréal, Winnipeg, Toronto, Nova Scotia, and Ottawa.
By Francisco Salazar
Resonance Works has announced its 10th season featuring premieres.
The Pittsburgh season opens with the premiere of Jorge Sosa and Cerise Lim Jacobs’ contemporary opera, “I Am a Dreamer Who No Longer Dreams.” Resonance Works alum mezzo-soprano Maria Dominique Lopez and soprano Helen Zhibing Huang will star.
The Resonance Works production will be directed by Estefanía Fadul.
Performance Dates: Oct. 14 & 16, 2022
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” will be performed by the Resonance Chamber Orchestra and Festival Chorus. The cast from Resonance Works’ inaugural production of this holiday favorite returns, with alum Barbara LeMay, Robert Frankenberry, Daniel Teadt, and Jonathan Stuckey.
Performance Dates: Dec. 16-18, 2022
“To Breathe Free” will feature Copland’s beloved “Appalachian Spring” and new works by Caroline Shaw and Gilda Lyons. Conducted by Resonance Works Artistic and General Director Maria Sensi Sellner, “To Breathe Free” will feature baritone Daniel Teadt, mezzo-soprano Timothi Williams, and the Resonance Chamber Orchestra.
Performance Dates: March 3 & 5, 2023
Bach B Minor Mass will feature the Resonance Chamber Orchestra, Festival Chorus, and sopranos Katy Shackleton Williams, Charlene Canty, Amelia D’Arcy, and Lara Lynn McGill, mezzo-sopranos Kara Cornell, Timothi Williams, and Thespina Christulides, tenor Javier Abreu, and bass-baritone Matt Scollin.
Performance Dates: April 28-30, 2023
By Francisco Salazar
Valentina Nafornița has announced she has finished filming her first feature film as an actress,
The actress took to social media and said, “What an incredible experience! I just filmed my very first movie as an actress, not a singer and I am so thrilled to share this with you. Of course you will have to wait till 2023 but I am so over the moon excited for you to see it.”
She added, “It was filmed in Moldova, in a very rustic and authentic place, by a fantastic direction and team with a wonderful cast. So many memories from my childhood, being in these familiar places. The entire process made me so emotional. Thank you all!”
The soprano did not reveal the title or further details.
Nafornița is the latest opera singer to cross over into the film industry following such singers as Marina Rebeka, and Rolando Villazon, who recently wrapped movies that are set to be released in 2023.
The soprano opens her 2022-23 season in Moldova before heading to Lausanne for a production of “L’Elisir d’Amore.”
By David Salazar
The Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio has announced its Oberlin Artist Recital Series, which kicks off this fall.
For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on vocal recitals.
Rhiannon Giddens will perform alongside Francesco Turrisi with a program based off their recent album “They’re Calling Me Home.” The showcase explores music from the duo’s native countries of America, Italy, and Ireland. It will also spotlight themes related to the COVID-19 lockdown, isolation and belonging.
Performance Date: Oct. 4, 2022
There will also be performances from baroque band ACRONYMN as well as pianist Bruce Liu, who won the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2021. The season ends with the Verona Quartet and Wu Man taking on a program entitled “Goin’ Home.
By Francisco Salazar
The Boston Lyric Opera is set to present a new time-flipped production of Puccini’s “La Bohème”by director Yuval Sharon.
The production, which opens with the opera’s tragic ending and moves backward in time, is set to be performed at the Emerson Colonial Theatre from Sept. 23 to Oct. 2, 2022.
The opera will feature stage design by BLO Artistic Advisor John Conklin and Costumes by Jessica Jahn. The lighting design will be by John Torres.
BLO Music Director David Angus will conduct the BLO Orchestra and Chorus with a cast that includes Lauren Michelle in the role of Mimì and Chelsea Basler as Musetta. Jesus Garcia will sing the role of Rodolfo while Edward Parks will be Marcello and Benjamin Taylor will sing Schaunard. The cast will be rounded out by William Guanbo Su as Colline, Fred C. VanNess, Jr. as Parpignol, and Junhan Choi as Alcindoro.
By Nicolas Quiroga
“Opera al Fresco” is set to return to the University of Alberta Botanical Garden following a three year absence.
The event, presented by Edmonton Opera is set for August 26, 2022. The program that will feature over 25 artists, including soprano Miriam Kahlil and mezzo-soprano Andrea Hill. Kahlil performed in the company’s 2022 production of “La Bohème,” while Hill took on the title role of Hansel in “Hansel & Gretel” during the 2019 season.
The event is sponsored by Raywalt Construction.
Edmonton Opera’s 2022-23 season kicks off this fall with a production of “Tosca.” It will be followed up performances of “Orphée,” “Stabat Mater,” “Home for the Holidays,” and a cabaret experience with Andrew MacDonald-Smith.
