opera

"There Are NO Black Shakers" is a contemporary folk opera re-interpreting traditional Shaker hymns to tell the very true story of Prime Lane, a free Black man who joined the Shaker Society in Albany in 1802. It is a debut opera written and directed by Jean-Marc Superville Sovak with Musical Direction by Gwen Laster and will be performed at The Yard in Beacon, NY on Thursday, July 24 at 7 p. m.

Here is what The New York Times says about the work presented at Bard SummerScape. They say it is “A hothouse for the creation of uncompromising, cross-disciplinary hits.”Bard SummerScape returns this year with an ambitious and genre-spanning festival of the arts. Through August 17th, the Fisher Center at Bard will be abuzz with opera, dance, music, and Spiegeltent revelry. Then comes the 35th Bard Music Festival on August 8–10 and 14–17.

Hudson Hall in Hudson, New York continues its series of Handel opera productions this Saturday when “Giulio Cesare” opens at the historic hall. Opera director and Hudson resident R.B. Schlather’s production features early music band Ruckus, world-class opera actors, and improvised dance by Davon. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, Handel’s mega-hit from 1724 will have 6 performances at Hudson Hall. Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli, New York partnered with Hudson Hall to provide an artist residency.R.B. Schlather joins us along with Song Hee Lee - who, when on stage at Hudson Hall, will be Cleopatra in “Giulio Cesare” and Douglas Ray Williams - who will be Achilla.

Opera Saratoga’s season begins Friday with Mozart's “Cosi Fan Tutte,” followed the next night by “Guys and Dolls” and on Sunday, June 30, with the world premiere of “Mad Scramble for Crumbs.”Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Mary Birnbaum joins us for a preview of the performances that run through July 7 at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga.

On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. The opera “An American Soldier” is based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers. “An American Solider” is having its New York City premiere at PAC NYC May 12-19 in a new 2024 version co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera. Composed by Huang Ruo, “An American Solider” features a libretto by our guest, David Henry Hwang.

Hudson Hall in Hudson, New York has commissioned an ambitious multi-year series of operas by Handel with the daring, internationally acclaimed director (and Hudson resident) R.B. Schlather.The first in the series, Rodelinda, premieres at the hall on October 20. There will be 6 performances between October 20-29.

The Berkshire Opera Festival will be performing Puccini’s "La Bohème" on August 26, 29 and, September 1 at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA. The unbridled passion of this ageless tale has made it a favorite of audiences for over a century.Berkshire Opera Festival artistic director, conductor and co-founder Brian Garman joins us to tell us this morning. We also welcome the star of "La Bohème," singing the role of Mimi, Soprano Whitney Morrison.

J’Nai Bridges will perform at Tanglewood tonight in a prelude concert in Ozawa Hall, and this Sunday, August 20, she’ll join the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in The Shed for a performance of Michael Tippet’s “Five Spirituals from A Child of Our Time” and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Saint-Saëns’s opera "Henry VIII" will run as part of the 20th Bard SummerScape, July 21–30, in the Sosnoff Theater at the Fisher Center at Bard. This, the first fully staged production of Henry III in the United States will be sung in French with English supertitles. Leon Botstein conducts the American Symphony Orchestra.Internationally acclaimed stage director Jean-Romain Vesperini helms the production at Bard and he joins us.

Opera Saratoga’s 2023 summer festival season will be anchored in the heart of Saratoga Springs. They are excited to be partnering with Universal Preservation Hall this season for their Main Stage performances.General and Artistic Director for Opera Saratoga Mary Birnbaum joins us.