By Francisco Salazar
The Seattle Opera has announced a new program to make opera more accessible.
The company noted that “in an effort to make opera accessible for all, the Sunday’s performance of ‘The Elixir of Love’ will be Pay What You Wish.”
Audiences will pay a minimum of just $5 and will pay what they wish, which will allow operagoers to purchase tickets at whatever price point is comfortable for their budget.
The Sunday, August 14 cast will inlcude Salome Jicia, Andres Acosta, Rodion Pogossov, and Luca Pisaroni. Giampaolo Bisant conducts the Donizetti masterpiece.
“The Elixir of Love” runs through August 20, 2022. This season the company is also showing “Tristan and Isolde,” “Samson et Dalila,” “A Thousand Splendid Nights,” and “La Traviata.”
By Logan Martell
On September 25, 2022, Odyssey Opera will return to live performances with the American premiere of Rachmaninoff’s “Troika.”
This concert performance will feature the three one-act operas which comprise the trilogy: “Aleko,” “The Miserly Knight,” and “Francesca da Rimini.”
Company founder Gil Rose will conduct a cast including tenors Yegishe Manucharyan, Andrew Bidlack and Spencer Hamlin; basses Mikhail Svetlov, and Kevin Thompson; as well as Ukrainian soprano Yelena Dyacheck and baritone Aleksey Bogdanov.
“Rachmaninoff’s music is a spectacular way to return to live performance,” says Rose. “Though he devoted most of his attention to a career as a piano and orchestral composer, his operatic output was equally impressive. Odyssey Opera hopes to provide long overdue exposure of Rachmaninoff’’s operatic works to American audiences.”
Tickets are available at Odyssey Opera’s website beginning at $25. The performance will be held at NEC’s Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts.
By Francisco Salazar
Colombian-American soprano Catalina Curveo has signed with ADA Artist Management.
The soprano took to social media and said, “I am deeply excited to finally share with you that I have officially joined the prestigious roster of ADA Artist Management. The times of God are perfect and this collaboration starts exactly when it needed to happen: It’s a new beginning for my career, time to conquer more roles and more lands and with this incredible team by my side all is possible!”
She added, “Mil Gracias team ADA: Ana De Archuleta, Shawn Jeffery, Adrienne Boris, Colin Michael Brush, Katrina Thurman Hawkey, and Lisa for believing in me!”
The soprano has performed at many of the leading American opera companies including the New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Arizona Opera, The Atlanta Opera, and Cincinnati Opera and has become one of the most celebrated exponents of the work “Maria de Buenos Aires.”
During the 2022-23 season she is set to make her role debut as Elisetta in “Il matrimonio segreto” with Florida Grand Opera and will perform Micaëla in “Carmen” in her return to Anchorage Opera. She is also set to make her Fort Worth Opera debut in two concerts which she has curated, “Noches de Latinidad: El fuego de una mujer” and “Noches de Zarzuela.” She will also bring her her “Maria de Buenos Aires” to OPERA San Antonio. She will also make her debut with Opera Naples in “Frida” and will perform an opera gala with the South Florida Symphony.
By Francisco Salazar
White Snake Projects is set to present “Cosmic Cowboy,” a new work of poli sci-fi that blends ancient history and fantasy to talk about the subject of colonization.
Jacobs’s inspirations were the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock and the historic landing of the space probe Philae on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The work, which was composed by Elena Ruehr, is set to premiere at ArtsEmerson’s Robert J. Orchard Stage in Boston and will mark the first in-person performance by the company since the start of the pandemic.
In a statement, Jacobs said, “I cannot wait for White Snake Projects to be back in the theater. We’re holding our breaths – from excited anticipation, a little trepidation, and great hope for a fantastic show.”
The new opera is set to star soprano Carami Hilaire, countertenor Daniel Moody, bass-baritone Tyler Putnam; bass John Paul Huckle, and tenor Charles Calotta.
“Cosmic Cowboy” opens on Sept. 16 and will be performed three times.
By Francisco Salazar
Jonas Kaufmann is set to sing Radamés in Arena di Verona’s controversial “Aida” production.
The company said, “On an apparently ordinary day, here we are with some exciting news: Jonas Kaufmann will play Radamès at the Arena di Verona on August 28, 2022! After the success of the 2021’s gala (which ended with seven encores: does any of you remember?) and waiting for his show in 2023, the famous tenor will make his debut in a whole opera in the Arena. Next to him, a cast of stars: an ‘Aida’ that is going to be memorable.”
The tenor joins a cast that includes Vladimir Vasiliev, Romano Dal Zovo, Olesya Petrova, Liudmyla Monastyrska, Abramo Rosalen, and Sebastian Catana. Daniel Oren conducts Franco Zeffirelli’s production.
The news comes after the Arena di Verona was hit with controversy in mid-July for using blackface in the production and many singers including Christine Goerke, Jamie Barton, and Ryan McKinny criticized star soprano Anna Netrebko for performing in the makeup. Angel Blue later canceled her debut in “La Traviata” due to the company’s practice. The production opened on June 18, a month before the controversy with Monastyrska also performing in the makeup, and the Arena di Verona has since defended its production.
“Aida” runs through Sept. 3 with Maria Teresa Leva also set to perform the title role.
By Francisco Salazar
The Estonian National Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring an array of productions and international stars.
The season opens with the X Old Tallinn Gala conducted by Arvo Volmer and starring Olga Mykytenko, Ain Anger, and Raimonds Bramanis.
Performance Date: August 27, 2022
Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” is set to star Perrine Madeouf and Nico Darmanin in the September performances.
Performance Dates: Sept. 2 & 4, 2022 & April 8 – 28, 2023
Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” will be showcased with Mirjam Mesak performing. Arvo Volmer, Vello Pähn, and Kaspar Mänd conduct.
Performance Dates: Sept. 9 – March 23, 2023
The Estonian National Opera symphony concert gives perform at the Estonia Concert Hall.
Performance Dates: Sept. 10, 2022
Jaan Ots, Kaspar Mänd, Lauri Sirp will conduct Lehar’s “The Merry Widow.”
Performance Dates: Sept. 11, 2022 – May 20, 2023
Lehar’s “The Count of Luxembourg” will be conducted by Risto Joost and Kaspar Mänd.
Performance Dates: Sept. 17, 2022 – May 12, 2023
Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld” will get a new production by Liis Kolle. Arvo Volmer conducts.
Performance Dates: Sept. 30, 2022 – June 10, 2023
“Three Jolly Fellows” will be performed with Lauri Sirp and Jaan Ots conducting.
Performance Dates: Oct. 5, 2022 – April 30, 2023
Risto Joost conducts a semi-staged production of Mozart’s “Idomeneo.”
Performance Dates: Oct. 13 & 16, 2022
Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Tsar’s Bride” with Kaspar Mänd conducting.
Performance Dates: Oct. 28 – Dec. 1, 2022
The company will celebrate All Souls’ Day with a Concert at St. John’s Church.
Performance Dates: Oct. 30, 2022
Arvo Volmer conducts Verdi’s “Falstaff” with Pavlo Hunka in the title role.
Performance Dates: Nov. 3 & 5, 2022
Neeme Kuningas’ production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” returns to the company.
Performance Dates: Nov. 12, 2022 – June 22, 2023
José Cura stars in Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West.”
Performance Dates: Nov. 18 & 20, 2022
Lauri Vasar stars in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in time for the holiday season. Ain Anger is a guest soloist.
Performance Dates: Dec. 9, 2022 – May 14, 2023
The opera house performs a Christmas Concert at St. John’s Church.
Performance Date: Dec. 15, 2022
Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” returns.
Performance Dates: Dec. 28, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023
The company kicks off the New Year with the Estonia ball “Party on the other side of the moon”
Performance Date: Dec. 31, 2022
Puccini’s “Tosca” returns to the opera stage.
Performance Dates: Jan. 7 – 21, 2023
Marco Gandini stages a new production of Verdi’s “Giovanna d’Arco” with Arvo Volmer conducting.
Performance Dates: Feb. 3 – March 31, 2023
Arvo Volmer, Kaspar Mänd, Vello Pähn conduct Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.”
Performance Dates: Feb. 9 – April 20, 2023
Arvo Volmer conducts the Estonian National Opera symphony concert at the Estonia Concert Hall.
Performance Dates: Feb. 16, 2023
Arvo Volmer conducts a new production of Wagner’s “Lohengrin.”
Performance Dates: May 25 – June 8, 2023
By Francisco Salazar
Former Wiener Staatsoper press officier Lothar Knessl has died at the 95.
Born April 15, 1927, in Brunn, Knessl attended the Realgymnasium in his hometown and studied piano at the conservatory. He went on to join the military and in 1947, after serving, he moved to Vienna to study music and theater. He also studied composition with Karl Schiske and Ernst Krenek at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna from 1950 to 1956.
In 1968, he started the Ö1 series Studio Neuer Musik and taught at the University of Vienna. Then in 1971, he became the manager of the press office of the Austrian Federal Theater and from 1986 until his retirement in 1991 he was press officer at the Wiener Staatsoper.
He was also the program advisor, editor, and curator of the Wien modern festival and was a founding member of the Music Information Center Austria. From 1992 to 2000, Knessl served as President of the Austrian Section of the International Society for New Music and was a Music Curator at the Federal Ministry for Education and the Arts.
He wrote many books including the biography of his main teacher, Ernst Krenek.
By Francisco Salazar
The Washington National Opera is set to celebrate the 17th year of its most popular community event with a free opera broadcast at the state-of-the art soccer stadium home of the D.C. United, Audi Field.
Opera on the Field will present Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” on Sept. 25, 2022 and will be hosted by WNO General Director Timothy O’Leary and WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello. The event features an outdoor broadcast of the critically-acclaimed production and pre-show entertainment that families can enjoy.
Gates will open at 2 p.m. for pre-show activities and the evening broadcast on the high-definition Audi Field scoreboard begins at 4 p.m.
In a statement says Timothy O’Leary, WNO General Director and Francesca Zambello, WNO Artistic Director said, “We are excited to present this hugely popular production of the world’s most popular opera in such a fun and accessible way—as a free event for the greater Washington community. Families and friends love to gather for this experience—whether it’s their first opera or their hundredth. Come relax with us on the grass of Audi Field.”
The “Carmen” production is conducted by Evan Rogister and stars Isabel Leonard in her role debut as Carmen, Vanessa Vasquez as Micaëla, Ryan Speedo Green as Escamillo, and Michael Fabiano as Don José.
By Francisco Salazar
“Black Sea International Opera Competition: OPERA’S GOLDEN VOICE” is set to celebrate its first annual competition in Batumi in September 2022
The International Vocal Competition “Opera’s Golden Voice” will be an opportunity for both beginners and experienced singers, to present their abilities in front of the leading specialists of the world opera industry.
The competition was founded as part of the International Festival “Batumian Rhapsody” and the president of the competition is internationally renowned soprano Tamar Iveri
For the first year, the jury will be include bass Orlin Anastassov (Agency Musa Management, Bulgaria), Alessandro Ariosi (Agency Ariosi Management, Switzerland), Viviana Barrios (Deutsche Oper Berlin, Germany), Mark Hildrew (Agency Askonas Holt, UK), soprano Makvala Kasrashvili (Galina Vishnevskaja Opera Center, Georgia), baritone Mariusz Kwiecień (Wrocław Opera, Poland), conductor Constantine Orbelian (New York City Opera, USA), Eleonora Pacetti (Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Italy) and Melissa Wegner (Metropolitan Opera, USA).
The competition will be held in three rounds and the prize fund is € 15.000 (1st prize – € 7.000, 2nd prize – € 5.000, 3rd prize – € 3000).
The final ceremony will be held on Sept. 30 at 8pm at the Batumi Drama Theatre named after Ilia Chavchavadze.
By Francisco Salazar
The Arena di Verona is offering tickets for ticketholders who attended the canceled performance of “Nabucco” on July 29.
The company said that “since only a few minutes of the performance were performed, all spectators with a 7/29 ticket can return for a show at the Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2022 or 2023 requesting a ticket at the symbolic price of € 2.50 in the same seat category purchased for ‘Nabucco,’ for the next shows of 2022 (except for the dates of 12/08, 25/08, 01/09, 02/09, 03/09 and 04/09) and 2023 (except for the dates of 16 / 06, 17/06, 19/07, 23/07, 06/08, 20/08, 31/08), subject to availability.”
The news comes after the performance was rained out and audiences were sent home.
“Nabucco” opened in June and is set to run through Sept. 3 and will star Luca Salsi and Maria José Siri.
