Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Verdi’s 1853 masterpiece La traviata proved once again why the work is the most performed opera in the world year after year; it has got it all: drama, complex characters, memorable tunes, heart wrenching moments, and a reasonable length. The traditional staging was dark Read more…
There’s no doubt about it – it’s a great time of year for lovers of contemporary opera! One of the world’s greatest producers of contemporary opera, Beth Morrison Projects, has chosen to stage two 30-minute dramas, one by Emma O’Halloran and another by Michael Lanci, two of the brightest young Read more…
Mexican baritone Gerardo de la Torre is one of opera’s exciting young up-and-comers. He recently tied for first prize at the prestigious Verismo Opera’s Annual International Vocal Competition. I am thrilled to have had the chance to discuss his career and love of opera with him. You’re fresh off a Read more…
Here is a list of the 10 most popular opera composers by performance numbers. The data used to compile this list is from Operabase, perhaps the world’s greatest source of opera data. All data is for the most recently completed full season – the 2017/2018 season. In the top 10 Read more…
Here is a list of the 10 most famous arias in the world. Bask in the glorious sounds of some of the world’s greatest singers singing tunes from the world’s most famous operas. Performers include Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Renée Fleming, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and Anna Netrebko. “La donna è mobile” Read more…
Opera Sense recommended audio and video recordings of La bohème: Lyric Opera of Chicago’s La bohème returns to the stage following the tremendous success of its initial run earlier this season. The beautiful yet largely traditional staging of this perennial favorite by Puccini is sure to enchant both seasoned operagoers Read more…
Mark Campbell is one of today’s leading opera librettists. A champion of contemporary opera, Campbell has written 28 librettos, the most popular of which is Silent Night, which won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Music. The opera premiered at Minnesota Opera in 2011, and returns to the stage at the Read more…
Audiences can soon hear opera superstar and karaoke master Lucas Meachem singing on stage at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Minnesota Opera’s upcoming production of Massenet’s Thaïs. I am thrilled that Lucas was willing to share his thoughts on Thaïs, karaoke, and his passion for all things opera Read more…
Director Jennifer Williams is making the opera world more exciting. Bringing a non-traditional voice to an art form drowning in the conventional, Williams is exploring the use of technology – currently video projections – in opera, and digging deeper into the narratives of the standard repertory in an attempt to Read more…
Countertenor John Holiday is currently performing Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. I am thrilled that John was willing to take the time to answer a few of my questions about this production, his background, and his passion for opera. Tell me about your upcoming performance of Chichester Read more…