By Afton Wooten
(Credit: Riddle Films)
Canadian baritone Elliot Madore will share the story of his experience as a biracial person through the new film, “Identity: A Song Cycle.”
In June of 2020, Madore’s Instagram post that read, “Being mixed-race has always left me justifying who I am,” Madore wrote. “I often get asked ‘What’s your background?’, replying ‘I’m black’, typically gets met with wide eyed disbelief” caught the attention of Against the Grain Theatre’s Founder and Artistic Director Joel Ivany. The two along with composer Dinuk Wijeratne and poet Shauntay Grant created the song cycle.
The filmed song cycle will explore themes of shifting identities, individuality, alienation, and belonging.
Through the support of the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund’s $100,000 grant, this work will be reworked.”Identity: A Song Cycle” will be set for stage performance for baritone, a jazz trio, and an orchestral accompaniment. These will premiere in the 2023- 24 season.
This work will begin streaming on Oct. 23.
By Francisco Salazar
Ludovic Tézier has canceled his planned solo concert at the Wiener Staatsoper on Oct. 18
The company said that the baritone was forced to cancel due to illness.
On his behalf, Tézier wrote, “Dear friends, dear audience of the Wienerstaastoper, I regret I must refrain from sharing the evening of October 18 with you. As you know, I strive every time to offer you the best of me. This time tracheobronchitis has prevented me from doing so, and that saddens me. You know my love of lieder recital, especially German song, and you know my passionate love of Viennese state opera . So you can imagine how frustrating this is for me! But sometimes reason must prevail over passion. We are already working with the management of this wonderful theatre to bring this beautiful concert back next season. In the meantime, take care of yourself my good friends…Best wishes, your Ludo.”
The baritone is coming off performances of “Aida” at the Royal Opera House and is set to perform a new production of “Don Carlo” at the Teatro San Carlo di Napoli. He is also set to perform in “La Forza del Destino” at the Paris Opera.
By Afton Wooten
Two of the Royal Opera House’s principal artists Ukrainian baritone Yuriy Yurchuk and Armenian soprano Anush Hovhannisyan will lead “Opera For Ukraine.”
The program will include well-known arias and crowd favorites. Singers will be joined at the piano by Ed Battling. More information on the full program and musicians is to be announced.
All net income created from this concert will be donated to the Ukrainian Institute London, “which champions Ukrainian culture, going beyond the headlines to shape the conversation about Ukraine. Since the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Institute has been working tirelessly to give Ukraine a reliable voice in UK and world media, to respond to a constant stream of enquiries and to maintain our events programme, educational courses, cultural initiatives and support for displaced Ukrainians. The Ukrainian Institute London is an independent charity, and relies on donations to keep up their work.” Tickets are priced at £25.
The concert takes place at Omnibus Theatre in London on Oct. 16 beginning at 7 pm.
By Francisco Salazar
Ars Lyrica Houston’s children’s book, “Maria’s Magical Music Adventure / La mágica aventura musical de María” is set to be released for Hispanic Heritage month.
“Maria’s Magical Music Adventure” is a one-of-a-kind story written by composer Emma Kent Wine that tells the story of a girl named Maria who time travels 300 years back with Matthew the musical magician to meet the Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi.
The book was presented with a live concert and readings in both Spanish and English.
Author Emma Kent Wine is a nationally-recognized composer who took inspiration for the children’s book from her love of fantasy and baroque music, explaining that “Maria’s Magical Music Adventure was written to inspire and remind kids that their imaginations are a powerful tool for learning and connecting with history.”
Ars Lyrica Houston was founded in 1998 by harpsichordist and conductor Matthew Dirst. The company presents a diverse array of music in its original context while creating connections to contemporary life.
By Francisco Salazar
The Festival Verdi is set to stream “Simon Boccanegra” on Oct. 14.
The festival said that the opera will be transmitted on operastreaming.com, the online streaming platform that presents operas free on youtube with English and Italian subtitles.
The opera will be performed in a rare 1857 version directed by Valentina Carrasco. Riccardo Frizza conducts the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini and Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma with a cast that includes Vladimir Stoyanov (Simon Boccanegra), Roberta Mantegna (Maria/Amelia), Riccardo Zanellato (Jacopo Fiesco), Piero Pretti (Gabriele Adorno) Devid Cecconi (Paolo Albiani) Adriano Gramigni (Pietro), Chiara Guerra (Un’ancella di Amelia).
OperaStreaming is the streaming platform for the Emilia-Romagna region that was born in order to showcase performances from the region around the world. The company has previously streamed Aroldo and the Verdi Requiem, among others.
By Francisco Salazar
Verdi’s La Traviata returns to the Metropolitan Opera with three casts.
The opera, performed eight times from Oct. 25 to Nov. 19, 2022, will star Stephen Costello, Lucas Salsi, and Nadine Sierra. Maestro Daniele Callegari conducts the production by Michael Mayer.
Then between Jan. 5 and 26, 2023, Ermonela Jaho will sing her acclaimed interpretation alongside Ismael Jordi and Amartuvshin Enkhbat, both in their company debuts. Jaho has become one of the greatest exponents of the role with critics noting, “She is a true vocal artist: beautifully spun filati in “Ah fors’è lui”; a delicious, lovesick sigh on “delizia al cor”; a mere thread of tone to open “Dite alla giovine”; a haunting, haunted “Addio del passato.” Maestro Marco Armiliato conducts.
Finally between March 4 and 18, 2023, Angel Blue leads a cast that includes Dmytro Popov and Artur Ruciński. Maestro Nicola Luisotti conducts. Blue has also performed the role of Violetta to acclaim and became the first black Violetta at the Teatro alla Scala.
Tony Award–nominated and former New York City Ballet principal Robert Fairchild makes his Met debut as a featured dancer.
The performance of “La Traviata” on Nov. 5, 2022, will be transmitted live to cinemas around the globe as part of The Met: Live in HD series. The live transmission will also be available on personal devices on the newly launched The Met: Live at Home platform.
Additionally, the Oct. 25, 2022; Jan. 5 and 26, 2023; and March 11, 2023, performances of “La Traviata” will be broadcast live on Metropolitan Opera Radio on SiriusXM Channel 355. The March 11, 2023, performance will also be broadcast over the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network.
By David Salazar
The Los Angeles Opera will host 500 high school students for the dress rehearsal of its upcoming production of “Omar.”
On Oct. 20, 2022, students from Los Angeles Unified School District, Long Beach Unified School District, and Compton Unified School District will get a chance to take in the new work by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels. Additionally, students will get a chance to speak with artists and learn about the behind-the-scenes from the production team including Abels and Lighting Designer Pablo Santiago, who will also be on hand.
The students’ admission to the dress rehearsal is made possible through the LA Opera’s Opera Prep program, which is sponsored by Wells Fargo and the Max H. Gluck Foundation.
“Omar” opens on Oct. 22, 2022 and runs through Nov. 13, 2022. The opera, which recounts American slavery written by Omar Ibn Said who was kidnapped and forced to board a ship bound for South Carolina, stars Jamez McCorkle in the title role, mezzo-soprano Amanda Lynn Bottoms as Fatima, Omar’s mother; bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch, in the dual role of Johnson and Owen; soprano Jackeline Echols, in the role of Julie; and tenor Barry Banks as Hades. Kazem Abdullah conducts and Kaneza Schaal directs.
By Francisco Salazar
The Teatro Comunale di Ferrara has announced its 2022-23 season.
The season opens with “Una Goccia” by Dino Buzzati. The work features music by Piero Bittolo Bon, Gioia Gurioli, Antonio Macaretti, Alfonso Santimone, Dimitri Sillato, and Denis Zardi.
Performance Date: Nov. 18, 2022
The year ends with Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus“ with Marco Fiorini conducting a production by Corrado Abbati. Alessandro Fantoni, Scilla Cristiano, Francesco Bossi, Camilla Antonini, Jesús Piňeiro, Tania Bussi, Maurizio Leoni, Marcandrea Mingioni, Alessio Cioni, and Isabella Gilli lead the cast.
Performance Dates: Dec. 30 & 31, 2022
Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” is set to be conducted by Marco Guidarini and directed by Aldo Tarabella. Teh cast will include Alessandra Di Giorgio, Paolo Lardizzone, Marcello Rosiello, and Alberto Mastromarino.
Performance Dates: Jan. 20 & 22, 2023
Vivaldi’s “Catone in Utica” will be conducted by Federico Maria Sardelli and directed by Marco Bellussi. Valentino Buzza, Arianna Vendittelli, Margherita Maria Sala, and Chiara Brunello star.
Performance Dates: March 17 & 19, 2023
Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Marco Ciaponi, Federica Guida, Christian Barone, Rossana Rinaldi, and Elena Borin star in Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” Francesco Ivan Ciampa conducts the production by legendary singer Leo Nucci.
Performance Dates: April 14 & 16, 2023
Donizetti’s “Il Campanello” will showcase artists from the Conservatorio di Ferrara. Giovanni Dispenza directs with Marco Titotto conducting.
Performance Dates: May 19 & 20, 2023
Guido Dazzini, Gianluca Failla, Marta Lazzaro, Gesua Gallifoco e Silvia Caliò, Alexandra Kirsanova, Nicolò Balducci, Alessandro Agostinacchio, Lorenzo Martelli, and Gianluca Convertino star in Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro.” Leone Magiera directs and Massimo Raccanelli conducts.
Performance Dates: June 30 & July 2, 2023
Mozart’s “Requiem” will be performed by Yulia Merkudinova, Younggi Moses Do, Alessandro Agostinacchio, and Francesca Mercuriali with Massimo Raccanelli conducting.
Performance Date: July 1, 2023
By David Salazar
Superstar soprano Pretty Yende has been awarded as an Order of Arts and Letters by France’s Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak.
The soprano was given the distinction on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022.
“The Order of Arts and Letters, established in 1957 by the French Minister of Culture, rewards those who, through their ongoing engagement and creativity, have helped develop the arts and literature in France and throughout the world,” said Medailles Officielles website.
Yende has been a mainstay in France over the last few years. She is coming off a run of “Die Zauberflöte” at the Opéra Bastille and will return to the Philharmonie de Paris in March. In June, she will perform “Roméo et Juliette” at the Opéra de Bastille. She also previously appeared at the Bastille Day Concert and starred in productions of “La Traviata,” “Don Pasquale,” “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” and “Benvenuto Cellini” at the Opéra de Paris.
By Chris Ruel
“glass human,” a new chamber opera by composer Samantha Fernando and writer and sound artist Melanie Wilson, will have its premiere during the fall of 2022 at Glyndebourne.
The opera explores the theme of loneliness, featuring the stories of three individuals and their experiences with loneliness. A young student lives away from home for the first time and hears disturbing voices in her head, a Syrian refugee seeks asylum, and a bereaved older man experiences the first symptoms of dementia.
Composer Samantha Fernando said in a press statement, “The characters reflect three very different experiences of loneliness but also a shared desire to connect with another person. That’s something they are all striving for, something we can all relate to, I think.”
Fernando and Wilson added a unique aspect; a fourth character called sinkhole, which underpins the opera and acts as the sonic embodiment of loneliness as the voices of real people speak about their experiences.
In a press release, sound artist and writer Wilson stated, “Opera today can take many varied forms, and this project is an example of that multiplicity in its use of electronics, contemporary vocal styles and a horizontal relationship between the instrumentalists and the singers on stage. We are excited to offer our audiences a fresh experience of what opera might feel like.”
“glass human” is scored for viola, cello, accordion, harp, and percussion and will be performed by five musicians from Glyndebourne Tour Orchestra. Joining them are three soloists, soprano Anna Cavaliero, mezzo-soprano Camille Maalawy and bass Stephen Bowen. The production is directed by Lucy Bailey and designed by Joanna Parker. Ashley Beauchamp conducts.
Performance Dates and Locations:
Oct. 28-29, 2022, at Jerwood Studio, Glyndebourne
Nov. 5 at MK Gallery in Milton Keynes
Nov. 12 at The Studio at The Marlowe in Canterbury
Nov. 19 at Stage Two at the Norwich Theatre Royal
Nov. 26 at The Tung Auditorium at the University of Liverpool
Dec. 5 at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of Sussex in Brighton
