By Logan Martell
Italian composer Azio Corghi has passed away at the age of 85. He is remembered for his body of operas, chamber, and orchestral works.
Born in Cirie on March 9, 1937, Corghi studied piano at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory of Turin under Mario Zanfi before going on to study composition, choral music, and conducting at the Milan Conservatory. After winning the Ricordi composition competition for his “Intavolature” in 1967, Corghi took a position teaching at the Turin conservatory that same year; he would hold similar position with the Milan and Parma Conservatories, the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, the Perosi Academy and the Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna.
Following the preparation of a critical edition of Rossini’s “L’italiana in Algeri” for the Pesaro Festival, Corghi premiered his first opera, Gargantua,” at the Teatro Regio in 1984, based upon the novel by Rabelais. Subsequent operas include “Blimunda,” which premiered during La Scala’s 89/90 season, “Divara – Wasser und Blut,” “Tat’jana,” and more.
In 1994, Corghi was named a Fellow of the Sant Cecilia National Academy in Rome, and a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2005.
By Afton Wooten
The Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra has announced Julian Rachlin as its new chief conductor starting in the 2023-24 season.
Rachlin, the orchestra’s principal guest conductor since 2018 takes over from the current chief conductor Nathalie Stutzmann.
Julian Rachlin has worked globally as a conductor, soloist, recording artist, chamber musician, teacher, and artistic director. Currently, he is the artistic director of the Herbstgold Festival in Eisenstadt. In recent years he has conducted several of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. He also served as the principal guest conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
In response to his appointment, Rachlin said in a press release, “I’m honored and deeply moved by the trust the orchestra has placed in me following my five seasons as their Principal Guest Conductor. To be expanding the collaboration at this point is a testimony of our musical friendship and deep artistic connection. I can’t wait to continue our artistic journey together.”
Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra is one of Norway‘s leading orchestras made up of 71 full-time musicians from 17 nations. The company is based in its new hall at Kilden Performing Arts Centre.
By Chris Ruel
Seattle Opera will present the world premiere of “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by composer/librettist team Sheila Silver and Stephen Kitsakos and directed by Roya Sadat, one of the first female filmmakers in Afghanistan. The show will run from Feb. 25-March 11, 2023.
Based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini, the opera relates the story of Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women brought together under the brutal Taliban rule, and whose commitment to one another sees them through life under the regime.
Sadat has won over 20 international awards for her films, including the 2021 Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Film Award. Her goal in directing “A Thousand Splendid Suns” has focused on creating empathy through a detailed and convincing experience.
“I want to draw the audience into this world to ensure that this story lives on in people’s hearts and minds,” said Sadat in a press statement. “Though the Taliban has taken away my right to work and my right to artistic creativity in my home country, I can raise my voice here. Opera has given me the strength to be the voice for millions of women whose right to speak has been taken away. I want this opera to be a cry so loud that you’ll never forget the women of Afghanistan and the Middle East.”
The creative team includes a cultural consultant, Humaira Ghilzai, who has assisted Silver and Kitsakos with the opera’s language and narrative. Ghilzai also advises Seattle Opera leadership about the Afghan community and helps curate opportunities for Seattle audiences to learn about Afghan art and culture.
“My work is about cultural authenticity,” said Ghilzai in an official press statement. “Audiences connect with a story when the world of the production feels real. This story is also quite timely – it’s about how women are treated in the world and whether they are allowed to make choices for themselves. These are issues we are seeing right now, not just in Afghanistan, but in the protests for women’s rights in Iran and the struggle for abortion access in the United States.”
At each show, Seattle Opera will collect donations of food and supplies to assist Afghan refugees in the Puget Sound area.
By Chris Ruel
Image: Geneviève Bigué
The Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ) has announced a series of concerts for the 11th edition of Montreal/New Musics (MNM) international festival. Over ten days, from Feb 23 to March 5, 2023, MNM will showcase contemporary music under the 2023 theme of Music and Spirituality.
“Music and Spirituality is broad and open, evoking the search for meaning, hope and liberation within the challenges of our world,” said SMCQ Artistic Director Ana Sokolovic in a press statement.
For this article, only vocal performances are listed. SMCQ will release the complete NMN program in January 2023.
The concerts start with “Voix du nord: Nunavik – Brittany,” showcasing the voices of Inuit and Breton singers. Composer Katia Makdissi-Warren is known for building bridges between cultures, and with “Voix du nord,” two thousand-year traditions come together in a work for orchestra and four voices. Soloists include Lydia Etok, Nina Segalowitz (throat singing), Marthe Vassallo, and Nolùen le Buhé (Breton singing). On the podium will be SMCQ principal conductor Christian Gort.
Performance Date: Feb. 23, 2023
Also in February, works by Cree composer Andrew Balfour bring Indigenous voices to the forefront with “Notinikew,” an anti-war mini-opera performed by Dead of Winter (formerly Camerata Nova), along with six singers from the Winnipeg Boys Choir. The mini-opera relates the story of Indigenous soldiers who fought for Canada during World War I, yet were denied the right to return home. The work features Cory Campbell (Ojibway songkeeper), narration by Robert Falcon Ouellette, tenor Nolan Kehler, bass John Anderson, and cellist Leanne Zacharias. Mel Braun leads the performance.
Performance Date: Feb. 24, 2023
Composer Walter Boudreau’s “Golgot(h)a” is based on the poetry of frequent collaborator and friend Raôul Duguay. The composition calls for a large ensemble featuring brass, percussion, organ, and 16 voices. Boudreau and Duguay take the audience on the Way of the Cross, represented by 15 tableaux. The piece is based on a motet for four voices by Tomas Luis Da Vittoria and was the winner of Grand prix Paul Gilson from the Community of French-Language Radio Broadcasters. Vocalists include bass-baritone Sébastien Croteau, soprano Virginie Mongeau, and mezzo-soprano Marie-Annick Béliveau. Walter Boudreau conducts.
Performance Date: Feb. 26, 2023
By Afton Wooten
The Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is set to present Damien Sneed‘s concert “Our Song, Our Story.”
The concert will highlight well-known operatic arias, art songs, and spirituals. The solo and duet performances will pay homage to two iconic Black singers, Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman.
Repertoire includes works by Händel, Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Strauss, Gershwin, Margaret Bonds, Harry T. Burleigh, and Richard Smallwood. As well as a newly commissioned work from Sneed.
The program’s curator will provide piano accompaniment for baritone Justin Austin, and soprano Jacqueline Echols. They will be joined by a string quartet.
The concert is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2023, at 8 pm at The Sheldon in St. Louis.
By Logan Martell
Against the Grain Theatre has announced that Robin Whiffen has been named as the company’s first General Director.
Effective immediately, Whiffen will continue to work with Founder and Artistic Director Joel Ivany to further the company’s vision.
Since joining AtG in 2019, Whiffen has been crucial in developing several digital opera productions such as their award-winning “Messiah/Complex,” as well as “Savitri,” “BOUND,” and “Identity.” As a speaker Whiffen has participated in the Association for Opera in Canada’s RBC Future Launch Fellowship program , the Business/Arts Executive Leadership program, and OPERA America’s Leadership Intensive.
“This promotion is a reflection of Robin’s strong management skills, as well as her active involvement in artistic decisions,” said Marc Chalifoux, Chair of the Board of Directors, in an official press statement. “With this proven leadership team at the helm, the future feels bright at AtG as we continue to evolve the nature and perception of what opera and vocal works can be.”
“It has been a very exciting few years of growth at AtG, and I look forward to continuing this important and fulfilling work with our team,” added Whiffen. “I am so grateful for this opportunity, and welcome the opportunity to continue challenging the parameters of the operatic art form to make it more accessible and inclusive for our communities.”
By Afton Wooten
Professor Colin Lawson, the director of the Royal College of Music (RCM) has announced he will retire from the position in 2024.
Lawson has led the Royal College of Music since 2005, where he has one transformative and sustained a period of growth for the RCM. Under his leadership, the school was ranked as one of the top global institutions for performing arts (QS World University Rankings 2022). Lawson has increased access to digital learning, global partnerships, scholarships, and a £40 million campus redevelopment during the pandemic.
In an email to staff, he said, “It remains an extraordinary and humbling experience to lead the Royal College of Music, and a tremendous honour to work with such talented colleagues and students across the institution – one that I will proudly continue with the utmost dedication and vigour.”
In preparation for Lawson’s leave, there will be an international search for the next RCM director, with consultants appointed to support the process.
By Francisco Salazar
(Credit: James Hole)
The Bergen International Festival has announced its 2023 season with Lise Davidsen as its Artist in Residence.
Lise Davidsen sings the title role of Puccini’s “Tosca” with Freddie De Tommaso and Bryn Terfel. Edward Gardner conducts the Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester.
Performance Dates: May 24 & 26, 2023
Lise Davidsen and James Baillieu perform in recital a program of music by Grieg, Sibelius, and Strauss.
Performance Date: May 28, 2023
Lise Davidsen and James Baillieu perform a second program with music by Grieg, Berg, Schubert, and Sibelius.
Performance Date: May 30, 2023
Lise Davidsen, Rihab Chaieb, Freddie De Tommaso, and Shenyang lead Verdi’s Requiem with Edward Gardner conducting.
Performance Date: June 3, 2023
By Nicolas Quiroga
Canadian conductor, composer, and musician Gilbert Patenaude passed away on Nov. 13, 2022. He was 75.
Born on April 30, 1947, Patenaude was involved with music from a very young age he, studying piano and organ at the École Vincent-d’Indy, before taking on singing and conducting with Rémus Tzincoca at CMM.
From there, he continued his studies at the Académie Internacional d’été in Nice, France, before working with the Hilversum Orchestra in the Netherlands.
He would become a member and music director of the vocal quartet Les Troubadours de Terre des hommes before taking over as the music director of the Choeur Vaudreuil-Soulanges. In 1978, he was appointed to the position of director of the Petits chanteurs de Mont-Royal; he led the organization for over nearly four decades; the ensemble famously premiered his cantata “Pâques” in 1986. He also founded Les Chantes musiciens in 1992.
He conducted such ensembles as the Laval Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonie des Mille-Iles, and L’Art qui chante au féminin, among many others.
In 2019, he received the Opus Tribute Award from the Conseil québécois de la musique in recognition of his career achievements.
By Francisco Salazar
The Deutsche Oper am Rhein has announced the death of Dr. Michael Hampe who passed away on Nov. 18, 2022 at the age of 87.
Born in Heidelberg on June 3, 1935, Hampe was the son of the architect Hermann Hampe and Annemarie née Ebler. Hampe attended the humanist Gymnasium in Heidelberg and spent a year in the United States, where he studied chamber music as a cellist at Syracuse University, New York with Louis Krasner After graduating, he studied acting at the Otto-Falckenberg-Schule in Munich and also studied dramatics and musicology at the Heidelberg University and in Munich.
Following his studies, he started working as an actor and stage director in German and Swiss theatres followed.
In 1972, he became the director of the Nationaltheater Mannheim and in 1975 he took the position of General Director at the Cologne Opera where he stayed for 20 years. At the Cologne Opera he brought memorable productions of Richard Wagner and Gioachino Rossini’s works made the Cologne Opera a fixture in the world of opera. He also brought world premieres, television recordings and film adaptations, as well as international guest performances.
He left his position in 1995 and from 1983 to 1990, Hampe became a member of the board of directors of the Salzburg Festival. During his time in Salzburg staged productions, often in collaboration with the scenic designer Mauro Pagano.
Hampe also served as a guest director at major opera houses and festivals including the Royal Opera, La Scala in Milan, as well as in Paris, Munich, Athens, Stockholm, Helsinki, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Sydney and Tokyo, and at festivals in Florence, Pesaro, Ravenna, Drottningholm, Edinburgh and Lucerne Festival.
In 1993, he became the artistic director of the Dresden Music Festival which he held until 2000.
For his commitment to the arts, Hampe received numerous prizes including the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Goldenes Ehrenzeichen des Landes Salzburg, and was named Commendatore of the Italian Republic. He was an honorary member of numerous organizations and federations.
