By Francisco Salazar
Chicago Harris Theater is set to hold the world premiere of “The Factotum.”
The work, which was commissioned by the Lyric Opera of Chicago will be performed for the first time on Feb. 3, 2023 for five performances.
The opera by Grammy-nominated baritone Will Liverman and DJ King Rico showcases a blend of diverse musical styles with imagination to create a soul opera, moving from gospel and funk to rap, hip-hop, classic barbershop quartet, and R&B.
The story of “The Factotum” takes place in a Black barbershop on Chicago’s South Side to celebrate the strength of the community. The Lyric Opera commissioned local artist Barrett Keithley to create three murals, all adjacent to barbershops on Chicago’s South and West Sides. The image of this first mural has become the poster art for the opera.
The opera is set to star Martin Luther Clark, Gabriella Reyes, Norman Garrett, Melody Betts, Keirsten Hodgens, Symone Harcum, Lunga Eric Hallam, Terrence Chin-Loy, Adam Richardson, Ron Dukes, and Christian Makai Lucas.
By Francisco Salazar
Opera Rara has named Ermonela Jaho and Michael Spyres Artist Ambassadors.
The company announced the news on the 225th anniversary of Donizetti’s birth. In the new role, Jaho and Spyres will work to raise the international profile of the charity, assist in the development of new projects and educational activities, and feature in the company’s recording and performance projects.
In a statement Henry Little, Chief Executive of Opera Rara said, “We welcome Ermonela Jaho and Michael Spyres to the new role of Artist Ambassadors. They have both shown a passion for Opera Rara’s work to restore rare and forgotten operas, having both featured on award-winning recordings. It is a part of our mission to work with the world’s greatest artists, and we are grateful for the relationships that have been developed with Ermonela and Michael in the recording studio and on the concert stage. Our artists are a part of the Opera Rara family, and their dedication to Opera Rara’s mission is the backbone of what the company has become known for: sustained artistic excellence. During their period as Artist Ambassadors, Ermonela and Michael will continue their work of sharing operatic rarities with our audiences.”
Spyres added, “Opera Rara is an invaluable institution that has broadened the horizons of the opera world, by rediscovering the great lost works of the past. No other institution has done as much for the world of opera in terms of research, recording, and education than Opera Rara, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. Countless individuals such as myself have made their careers with the help of Opera Rara, and with your support, a lasting artistic legacy will be possible.”
Meanwhile, Jaho said, “I love to work with Opera Rara because they make fabulous operatic discoveries come to life for us all to enjoy. In this noisy world, this beautiful music from the past sings to our inner spirit. I feel that I am a part of a unique family of artists, researchers, and supporters who are passionate about the past made new, and as an Artist Ambassador, I invite you to become a part of the Opera Rara family.”
Opera Rara also announced that Jaho and Spyres will record solo albums of newly restored songs of Gaetano Donizetti as a part of the Donizetti Song Project, a multi-year program of recordings and performances to present the complete songs of Gaetano Donizetti.
By Francisco Salazar
The West Australian Opera has announced its 2023 season.
The season opens with Bizet’s “Carmen” starring Ashlyn Tymms in the title role. The cast is rounded out by Paul O’Neill, José Carbó, and Prudence Sanders. Dane Lam conducts the production by Stuart Maunder.
Performance Dates: Feb. 24 & 25, 2023
The following production will be Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” with conductor Jen Winley and director Cameron Menzies. The cast will include Peter Coleman-Wright, Claire Lyon, Matt Hourigan, Alexander Lewis, Samantha Clarke, Brigitte Heuser, Emma Pettemerides, Mia Simonette, Nicole Youl, Sophia Wasley, Maria Mercedes, Mark Alderson, Prudence Sanders, Lachlann Lawton, Joshua Firman, Cal Silberstein, Emma Haines, and Brittany Carter.
Performance Dates: March 23-April 1, 2023
Christopher van Tuinen conducts Bach’s “Oratorio” with director Margrete Helgeby Chaney. The cast includes Bella Marslen, Jillian Halleron, Ammon Bennett, and Jake Bigwood.
Performance Dates: April 20-22, 2023
Christopher van Tuinen conducts Verdi’s “Otello” in a production by Harry Kupfer. Miranda Summers directs the revival with Paul O’Neill, Naomi Johns, José Carbó, Ashlyn Tymms, and Kanen Breen.
Performance Dates: July 20-29, 2023
Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse’s “Koolbardi wer Wardong – Bunbury” will be performed.
Performance Date: August 4, 2023
Christopher van Tuinen conducts the production by Matt Reuben and James Ward of “La Boheme.” The cast includes Paul O’Neill, Elena Perroni, Sam Dunda, Rachelle Durkin, Jake Bigwood, and Lachlann Lawton.
performance Dates: Oct. 19-28, 2023
By Francisco Salazar
Medici.TV is set to stream three opera productions over the next two weeks.
The streaming platform will first present the opening night of the Teatro San Carlo. Verdi’s “Don Carlo” will star Matthew Polenzani in the title role alongside Ailyn Perez, Michele Pertusi, Ludovic Tézier, and Elīna Garanča. Claus Guth directs the production conducted by Juraj Valčuha. The opening night was postponed due to the landslide in Ischia.
Streaming Date: Nov. 29, 2022
The following stream will be a production of “Lohengrin” from the Bayerische Staatsoper. The new production by Kornél Mundruczó is set to star Mika Kares, Klaus Florian Vogt, Johanni van Oostrum, Johan Reuter, Anja Kampe, and Andrè Schuen. François-Xavier Roth conducts.
Streaming Date: Dec. 3, 2022
Kasper Holten directs a new production of Mussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov” for the opening night of the Teatro alla Scala. Riccardo Chailly conducts a cast that includes Ildar Abdrazakov, Lilly Jørstad, Anna Denisova, Agnieszka Rehlis, Norbert Ernst, Alexey Markov, and Ain Anger.
Streaming Date: Dec. 7, 2022
By Francisco Salazar
The 2022 International Opera Awards were handed out at the Teatro Real on Nov. 28, 2022.
The Opera Company of the Year accolade was awarded to Lyviv National Opera and the Odessa National Opera. The companies were chosen due to their perseverance in performing during the war. There was no shortlist this year.
The Female Singer of the Year went to Sabine Devieilhe, while Male Singer of the Year was awarded to Stephane Degout.
Pene Pati was recognized with The Reader’s Award, while Nardus Williams won the Rising Talent Award. The Conductor of the year award went to Daniele Rustioni.
The Director of the Uear award was given to Stefan Herheim, while Designer of the Year was awarded to Michael Levine.
The Festival of the Year award went to Santa Fe Opera, while the New Production of the Year award went to Glyndebourne for its double production of “La Voix humaine” and “Les Mamelles de Tirésias” by Laurent Pelly.
Oper Frankfurt took home the Rediscovered Work award for “Ulisse” by Dallapiccola, while La Monnaie won the World Premiere award for “The Time of our Singing” by Kris Defoort.
The Digital Opera Award went to “Upload” from the Dutch National Opera, while the Gothenburg Opera took home the Sustainability award.
The Philanthropy Award was given to Aline Foriel Destezet, while the Good Governance Leadership award went to Nicholas Payne.
The recording categories saw “Offenbach: Le Voyage dans la lune” (Choeur et Orchestre National Montpellier Occitane/Bru Zane) win for Complete Opera and “Michael Spyres: Baritenor” taking home the Solo Recital award.
The award for Equal Opportunities and Impact went to Foundation Studio at Cape Town Opera.
Dame Janet Baker received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The evening saw performances by Xabier Anduaga, Barno Ismatullaeva, Sabina Puertolas, Jessica Pratt and Francesco Demuro.
By David Salazar
The Orchestre Philarmonique de Strasbourg has extended the contract of Music Director Aziz Shokhakimov.
Per an official press statement, Shokhaimov’s contract has been extended for another three years. He is on his second year as Music Director with the organization and is currently set to conduct seven concert programs this season.
Among the performances, he is set to lead are performances of Mahler’s Third Symphony at the Palace of Music and Congresses on Jan. 19, 2023, followed by another one day later at the Philharmonie de Paris. That showcase will feature mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink. He will also conduct Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Tale of the Tsar Sultan ” with singers like Ante Jerkunica, Svetlana Aksenova, Stine Marie Fischer, and Bernarda Bobro, Carole Wilson, Bogdan Volkov, and Lyebyed Julia Muzychenk. Those performances are slated for May 5-28 (a total of seven showcases).
Additionally, he will lead the orchestra in a tour of Korea and is set to release a recording of “Les Nuits d’Été” with Michael Spyres and another of “Romeo et Juliette” with Joyce DiDonato, Cyrille Dubois, and Christopher Maltman.
By David Salazar
On Nov. 28, 2022, Melos International will present a special event in honor of iconic opera star Maria Callas.
The showcase, which will take place at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York, will be hosted by Victoriana Abate and Antonella Salvucci, who will read letters and poems by Pier Paolo Pasolini that he dedicated to Callas.
Audiences will see performances by pianist Gianluca Marciano, soprano Maria Grazia De Luca, jazz pianist Marco Di Gennaro, and singer Vanessa Racci. There will also be presentations by artist and entrepreneur Andreina Fuentes Angarita as well as appearances by Joanna Parisi and Marsha Thompson.
Awards will be given to soprano Katia Ricciarelli, actress Claudia Gerini, soprano Rosa Feola, soprano Carmen Giannattasio, and singer Francesca Maresca. A special award will be given to actor Murray Abraham for his performance as Salieri in “Amadeus.” Journalist Enrico Stinchelli will also be honored.
Also in attendance will be women’s rights lawyer Michele Sarno.
By David Salazar
High Definition Tape Transfers has released a rare recording featuring superstar icon Maria Callas.
The recording will feature a Copenhagen concert dating from June 9, 1963 featuring the famed soprano alongside conductor Georges Prêtre leading the Danish Radio Symphony.
The CD features music from “Guglielmo Tell,” “Norma,” “I Vespri Siciliani,” “Nabucco,” “Pagliacci,” “Manon Lescaut,” “La Bohème,” “Madama Butterfly,” and “Gianni Schicchi.”
There are also bonus tracks from a previous concert just four days earlier at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-Télévision Française, also with Prêtre. Tracks from that showcase feature passages from “Semiramide,” “La Cenerentola,” “Manon,” and “Werther.”
The chief engineer for the recording was Robert Witrak with audio restoration conducted by audio engineer John H. Haley of Harmony Restorations, LLC.
By Chris Ruel
The Bloomingdale School of Music has announced its 2022-23 December and February events, which kick off on Dec. 2, 2022, with a Free Faculty Concert Series. The concerts run through Dec. 16, 2022. The School will present a vocal performance honoring Leontyne Price in February.
For this article, only vocal performances are listed. The entire December program and other upcoming concerts are available on the School’s website.
A Holiday Concert featuring artists, administrators, and three student ensembles is kicking off the vocal music. The program features popular holiday tunes and selections from Handel’s “Messiah.”
Performance Date: Dec. 9, 2022
In 2023, February begins with “A Tribute Concert to Leontyne Price,” featuring soprano Cheryl Warfield and pianist Olga Gurevich. Together, they will present a musical program of arias and spirituals, presenting a historical narrative about the life and career of legendary singer Leontyne Price, the first Black soprano to sing a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Performance Date: Feb. 17, 2023
By Francisco Salazar
The Maggio Musicale has announced that Eleonora Buratto will sing the role of Elisabetta in “Don Carlo.”
The company made it official on social media. Buratto will join a cast that includes Mikhail Petrenko, Francesco Meli, Alexander Vinogradov, Ekaterina Semenchuck, and Benedetta Torre.
The company noted that Roman Burdenko and Massimo Cavalletti will share the role of Posa.
Buratto is coming off a run of “Don Carlo” at the Metropolitan Opera where she made her role debut and OperaWire noted, she “sang with an appealing middle voice and bring some heart-wrenching moments.”
Burdenko recently performed at the Teatro Massimo di Palermo and at the Mariinsky Theatre while Cavalletti has been performing at the Teatro Verdi di Salerno.
“Don Carlo” opens on Dec. 27 and will be conducted by Daniele Gatti.
