By David Salazar
The Dallas Opera has announced its 2022-23 community initiatives.
The main initiative will be “Crescendo,” an under-45 group aimed at bringing younger people from all backgrounds to the opera. As part of the program, participants will receive two mainstage tickets, discount ticket offers, four pre-show mixers, one back stage tour for two, and a special event invitation for the Hart Institute for Women Conductors.
“Whether it is live and in person at the Winspear, at home on a screen, or out in the neighborhood, we hope to make opera more accessible and approachable to the community,” said Ian Derrer, Dallas Opera’s Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO, in an official press statement. “Crescendo is an exciting new initiative to attract the next generation of operagoers—and we hope livestreaming our annual People’s Choice Concert will achieve the same.”
The company will also host a People’s Choice Concert on Oct. 1, 2022. It will be headlined by the cast of “Rigoletto” and feature music director Emmanuel Villaume leading the company in a program of major opera hits. Tickets for the event are free and those unable to attend can also see the concert via livestream.
The organization also announced the return of “OperaTruck,” which will bring opera to communities in North Texas starting on Oct. 15. There will be shows throughout the season at the White Rock Center of Hope, South Dallas Cultural Center, Voice of Hope Ministries, Klyde Warren Park, and Fair Park.
By David Salazar
The Royal Opera House has announced the full casting for Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia.”
The opera, which opens on Oct. 29 at Britten Pears Arts, Snape Maltings before heading to the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House on Nov. 13, will star Anne Marie Stanley in the title role. She will be joined by Carolyn Holt, Sarah Dufresne, Jolyon Loy, Anthony Reed, Kieran Rayner, Sydney Baedke, and Michael Gibson. Corinna Niemeyer conducts.
Oliver Mears directs. Annemarie Woods will design the sets with D.M. Wood doing lighting. Movement director will be Sarita Piotrowski and there will be an intimacy coordinator on set.
“’The R*pe of Lucretia’ is a tense, troubled and dangerous opera – one of Britten’s finest,” Mears said in an official press statement. “The responsibility towards the piece and its traumatic subject matter makes it a daunting opera for any creative team. But by finding its deepest, most innermost resonances (with Britten’s own life as well as with the apocalyptic circumstances of his time – and ours) we will, we hope, allow it to speak with unbearable power for audiences for now.”
The opera runs from Oct. 29-30 at Snape Maltings and from Nov. 13-22 at the Linbury Theatre.
By Afton Wooten
“A New Song: Mythologies Past and Present” by Trevor Weston makes its world premiere by opening the Washington Bach Consort’s 45th season on Sept. 18, 2022.
Not only does this mark an important season, but “A New Song” is the Consort’s first commission. In “A New Song,” Weston explores the use of period instruments and voice styles mixed with past and present-day sounds.
About his composition, Weston remarks, “In graduate school, I performed in a choir that presented early music with a period instrument orchestra. It always struck me that new innovative approaches to music lived in both contemporary music and early music ensembles. My larger concern was to compose a piece that promotes thought through various musical movements using period instruments.”
Following the premiere is J.S. Bach’s secular cantata, “Geschwinde, geschwinde, ihr wirbelnden Winde” BWV 201. Soloists include soprano Sherezade Panthaki, alto Sarah Davis Issaelkhoury, tenors Jacob Perry, Jr. and Patrick Kilbride, and basses Paul Max Tipton and Ian Pomerantz. Dr. Dana Marsh leads the Washington Bach Consort.
The concert will take place at the National Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. in Washington, DC.
By David Salazar
Teatro Nuovo has announced that it will present “Maometto Secondo” on Nov. 2 at the Rose Theater in New York City.
The opera was set for performances earlier this summer in July at the Rose Theater at the Kasser Theater in Montclair, NY, but was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
“We are thrilled to be back at work with this re-mount,” said General Director William Crutchfield performance. “Thanks to a Herculean effort on the part of our staff, singers, orchestra, and donors, we have regrouped almost the entire ensemble that reached the eve of dress rehearsals in July. This is an opera unlike any other, and our public needs the chance to hear it interpreted in Teatro Nuovo’s unique style.”
The July performances of the opera were set to star “Maometto Secondo” was set to star bass Hans Tashjian in the title role, mezzo Hannah Ludwig as Calbo, tenor Nicholas Simpson as Paolo Erisso, and Canadian mezzo Simone McIntosh as Anna Erisso. OperaWire reached out to Teatro Nuovo’s publicists regarding the cast for this showcase.
Along with the “Maometto Secondo” performances, Teatro Nuovo also canceled performances of “La Sonnambula” in July. OperaWire also reached out to Teatro Nuovo’s publicist regarding these performances and will update this story with any updates from those interactions.
By David Salazar
On Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden will kick off its 2022-23 season with a unique showcase open to all Berliners.
Between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., the company will open its doors, allowing audiences a unique experience to enter the opera house and engage with a diverse program.
At 11 a.m., members of the Staatskapelle Berlin will perform chamber music by Schubert at the Great Hall. At 1 p.m., ensemble soloists will take the stage to perform music by Monteverdi, Wagner, Grieg, Puccini, and Janacek. From 3:30 – 4:30, the ballet company will rehearse an excerpt from “Giselle.”
In addition to the showcases in the Big Hall, there will also be performances in the Courtyard. At 11 am. The Staatsopernchor will deliver music from “La Traviata, “Il Trovatore,” and “Carmen.” There will also be a performance by the horn section of the opera children’s orchestra as well as appearances from the ensemble of the children’s opera house. The International Opera Studio will also present an arias program and the Apollo Choir and the Youth Choir of the Staatsoper will present a program at 4 p.m. The courtyard events conclude with a performance from the children’s choir at 5 p.m.
In the evening, the company will present a performance of “Giselle.”
By Francisco Salazar
The final performance of “Götterdämmerung” at the Bayreuth Festival saw Irene Theorin stick up her middle finger to the audience after boos erupted during her final curtain call.
According to reports, “first there were some boos for her and then pointing to people in the audience with a finger. She then raised her middle finger and the whole house booed back.”
Audience members who witnessed the account were in shock and some took to Twitter to say it was an inelegant gesture and unjustified.
This season the Bayreuth festival opened a new production of The Ring Cycle by Valentin Schwarz to mixed reviews and saw many critics note it was a muddle. OperaWire noted that the production ended in confusion and went nowhere.
By Logan Martell
On August 29, 2022, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts announced the nominations for the 42 Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which recognize excellence in theatre, dance, and opera in Toronto.
Leading the opera category with nine nominations is “R.U.R. A Torrent of Light” by Tapestry Opera in partnership with OCAD University. They are nominated for Outstanding Production, Outstanding Performance by an Individual, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble, Outstanding New Opera, Outstanding Musical Direction, Outstanding Direction, and Outstanding Achievement in Design.
Next is Canadian Opera Company’s production of “The Magic Flute” with eight nominations, including Outstanding Production, Performance by an Individual and Ensemble, Musical Direction, Direction, and Achievement in Design.
With seven nominations is “Gould’s Wall,” A Tapestry Opera and Maniac Star’s production, presented by The Royal Conservatory of Music in association with The Glenn Gould School. They are nominated for Outstanding Production, Performance by an Individual and Ensemble, New Opera, Musical Direction, and Direction.
Following this is COC’s co-production of “La Traviata” with Houston Grand Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago, nominated for six awards including Outstanding Production, Performance by an Individual and Ensemble, Musical Direction, Direction, and Achievement in Design,
Finally is COC’s co-production of “The Queen in Me” with Amplified Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and Theatre Gargantua, with five nominations for Outstanding Production, Performance by an Individual, New Opera, Musical Direction, and Direction.
The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on September 19, 2022, at the Elgin Theatre.
By Francisco Salazar
Gioachino Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” is set to be performed in a modern-day Newport, RI in a new production by Opera Columbus.
The classic work will be set in the mid-century modern town of Newport, Rhode Island and will showcase Sofia Selowsky and Ben Lee in the lead roles. Gideon Dabi will perform the role of Dandini, while Michelle Trainor will take on Clorinda, and Cody Muller will star as Don Magnifico. Rounding out the cast will be Artega Wright and Ivy Zhou. Kelly Kuo conducts the production by Richard Gammon.
In a statement, Opera Columbus General Director + CEO Julia Noulin-Merat said, “At Opera Columbus, Angelina and Ramiro won’t be the only royals attending the ball. This is a perfect opera for families, The Cinderella fable is such a beloved story, and we really want to embrace the opportunity to bring audiences of all ages right into the story and to enjoy the beautiful music.” Attendees are encouraged to don their finest regal attire, and will have plenty of festive activities to herald the occasion.”
She added, “attendees at the evening performance can compete in the Tiara Tournament, which awards prizes to the most festive and fabulous headwear. The matinee performance will feature costume contests for all ages, including a prize for the best family costume. The evening performance is recommended for attendees ages 12 and up, and ages 6 and up are welcome to the matinee.”
“La Cenerentola” will open on Oct. 28 and will also be presented on Oct. 28, 2022.
By Francisco Salazar
The Kennedy Center is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary with two projects, the opening of “Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy” – a new permanent exhibit exploring Kennedy’s presidency and commitment to the arts and a reprise of Bernstein’s “MASS,” which premiered at the center’s opening exactly 51 years before the upcoming performance.
The projects will close an extraordinary year that saw the center reopen its doors after the pandemic lockdown for a landmark 50th anniversary season.
Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter noted, “As we mark 50 years, it has been important to take time not only to celebrate our legacy, but also to look forward to the next half-century and examine and evolve our role as the national cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. From inspired performances that represent the breadth and diversity of the arts in America to deeply impactful national education programs and innovative social impact work, it is my most fervent hope that this anniversary year reinforces our commitment to the ideals of our namesake and his vision of the arts as being ‘close to the center of a nation’s purpose.’”
For the concluding event of the Kennedy Center’s extended 50th anniversary season, Leonard Bernstein’s “MASS” will return for three performances starring Will Liverman. The baritone will be joined by the Heritage Signature Chorale, the Children’s Chorus of Washington, and the National Symphony Orchestra, all under the baton of James Gaffigan. The evening will also feature original choreography by acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor for Dance Education Hope Boykin and will be directed by Alison Moritz.
Performances are set to be held on Sept. 15 through Sept. 18, 2022.
By Francisco Salazar
South African baritone Jacques Imbrailo signed with OWL Artist Management for General Management.
Imbrailo was the winner of the Audience Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World and has gone on to be associated with the role of Billy Budd, making his role debut at the Glyndebourne Festival, and going on to give performances of the role at The Royal Opera, Teatro Real, Dutch National Opera, Norwegian National Opera, the BBC Proms and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York.
He is also well-known for his interpretation of Pélleas in “Pélleas et Melisande,” performing the opera at the Opernhaus Zurich, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Opéra national du Rhin, the Royal Swedish Opera, Opera Vlaanderen, Welsh National Opera, Aalto-Musiktheater Essen and in concert performance with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
This season, the baritone will makes role debuts as Yeletsky in “Pique Dame” at the La Monnaie, Brussels and Chou En-lai in “Nixon in China” at the Teatro Real. He also makes his house debut at the Ópera de Oviedo, Opéra national de Paris and Bayerische Staatsoper.
