Scott Quinn

Canary by Donald Wollner will be the first full production mounted by Playful Substance since Raphael Perahia's oddly prophetic Shelter in Place in the fall of 2019. 

San Francisco Opera's weekly, free opera streams continue in July with Janáček's intense family drama Jenůfa (July 10–11), Berlioz's massive epic Les Troyens (The Trojans) (July 17–18), Strauss' emotional thriller Elektra (July 24–25) and Verdi's Tyrolean tragedy Luisa Miller (July 31–August 1).

North Carolina Opera's General Director, Eric Mitchko has announced the company's upcoming 2021-22 season. The season will open on November 14 with Beethoven's only opera FIDELIO, followed by two timeless classics, Puccini's LA BOHÈME (Jan. 28 & 30) and Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE (Apr. 8 & 10).

Today OPERA San Antonio has announced its return to live performances at the Tobin Center for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Starting today, March 1st, tickets are on sale for two 'highlights' concert performances of Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor on May 6 and 8, 2021.

Bizet's Carmen is often labeled as a sexy opera. The leading lady is a woman who sings unabashedly of her appetite for l'amour, cigarette smoke billowing from her lips. And the music some of the most iconic in the art form can't help but get under one's skin; it's that tuneful and seductive. This May, Seattleites will be able to experience this titillating opera for themselves through a new production of Carmen under the baton of Maestro Giacomo Sagripanti, who returns following The Barber of Seville ('17). Renowned British director Paul Curran and production designer Gary McCann will treat audiences to lavish sets and a multitude of stylish factory girls, townsfolk, smugglers, soldiers, and toreadors.

Seattle Opera's upcoming Carmen features instantly recognizable music, an opulent new production, and a number of company debuts

The San Diego Opera's opening-night production of Verdi's Rigoletto featured the powerful voice and convincing acting of baritone Stephen Powell in a title role he has sung often. In contrast, it was soprano Alisa Jordheim's debut as Rigoletto's naive ill-fated daughter Gilda. Her fresh innocent appeal and Powell's veteran portrayal of cynical darkness were perfect for their respective roles. Jordheim has an agile voice with a deliciously silky tone, and commendable projection. She delivered coloratura passages of perfect clarity, hit the role's highest note with startling volume and purity, and held it. This won't be her last production of Rigoletto, nor the last major role in her promising career. Tenor Scott Quinn was the more than reprehensible duke who takes advantage of Gilda. The pair's youthful voices and appearance make them unusually well suited for Verdi's marvelous music and Francesco Maria Piave's tragedy-soaked libretto.

San Francisco Opera presents Richard Strauss' Arabella in five performances at the War Memorial Opera House from October 16 through November 3. Last performed by the Company 20 years ago, Arabella returns in Tim Albery's acclaimed production with leading Strauss interpreter Marc Albrecht, making his United States opera debut on the podium. The cast features soprano Ellie Dehn performing the title role for the first time, baritone Brian Mulligan in his role debut as Mandryka, soprano Heidi Stober as Zdenka, tenor Daniel Johansson in his first San Francisco Opera engagement as Matteo and Hye Jung Lee as the Fiakermilli. Company Chorus Director Ian Robertson prepares the San Francisco Opera Chorus.

San Francisco Opera presents Richard Strauss' Arabella in five performances at the War Memorial Opera House from October 16 through November 3. Last performed by the Company 20 years ago, Arabella returns in Tim Albery's acclaimed production with leading Strauss interpreter Marc Albrecht, making his United States opera debut on the podium. The cast features soprano Ellie Dehn performing the title role for the first time, baritone Brian Mulligan in his role debut as Mandryka, soprano Heidi Stober as Zdenka, tenor Daniel Johansson in his first San Francisco Opera engagement as Matteo and Hye Jung Lee as the Fiakermilli. Company Chorus Director Ian Robertson prepares the San Francisco Opera Chorus.

Leeds-based ambient production duo ag. have released their new single 'All Falls Down'.

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson today announced the complete casting and programming for the company's 2018 Summer Festival, which will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26th through July 15th at venues throughout the region. Single tickets, as well as subscription packages, are on sale now at www.operasaratoga.org.

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson today announced the complete casting and programming for the company's 2018 Summer Festival, which will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26th through July 15th at venues throughout the region.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, RAGTIME, and More!

Austin Opera never fails to dazzle, but their current production of LA TRAVIATA is so incredibly stellar, superlatives fail to describe its glittering pageantry.

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson announced the complete casting and programming for the company's 2018 Summer Festival, which will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26th through July 15th at venues throughout the region. Single tickets, as well as subscription packages, are on sale now at www.operasaratoga.org.

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson announced the complete casting and programming for the company's 2018 Summer Festival, which will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26th through July 15th at venues throughout the region. Single tickets, as well as subscription packages, are on sale now at www.operasaratoga.org.

Malmo Opera's production of Verdi's opera masterpiece, RIGLETTO is premiering Saturday next week in Malmo (March 24th). The show is known for being one of the most popular operas and is based upon an earlier play by the famous French author Victor Hugo called 'Le roi s'amuse' (The King Amuses Himself). Hugo has a history of writing plays and novels that take on the establishment. Another obvious, similarly-themed, tale is Hugo's classic 'Les Miserables.'

The San Diego Opera's 2018-19 season will feature three grand operas at the city's Civic Center and three smaller-scale productions at other venues. Seasoned opera buffs are likely to fill the 3000-seat Civic Center for The Marriage of Figaro, Rigoletto, and Carmen. But elaborate three-hour productions are a hard-sell for inexperienced listeners, many of whom believe that 45-seconds is about right for 'in-depth' news reporting. That's where the opera company's highly successful 'Detour Series' of shorter and more contemporary-feeling performances comes in. The two operas in that series next season are an English adaption of Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, and Three Decembers, a chamber work by Jake Heggie, one of today's most successful operatic composers. The Detour series and the season conclude with 'One Amazing Night,' a recital devoted largely to Puccini and Verdi.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City opened its excellent production of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' this weekend to appreciative audiences.  The voices are excellent, the orchestra is sublime, and the sets are both massive and ornate. 

Lyric Opera of Kansas City continues its 60th season with the Italian classic Rigoletto, with music by Giuseppe Verdi and libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. Performances are March 3, 7, 9 and 11 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The production will be sung in Italian with English titles. High-res production and artist photos can be downloaded here.