Review: A THOUSAND ACRES by Kristin Kuster and Mark Campbell Makes a Stunning World Premiere at Des Moines Metro Opera
When an organization reaches a milestone like 50 years, it can be easy to look back at everything that brought you to that milestone. While Des Moines Metro Opera's productions of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and PORGY AND BESS do that, they are also looking at the future with the world premiere production of A THOUSAND ACRES. If this production indicates what Des Moines Metro Opera has planned for the future, then I'm sure we will see them around for another 50 years and more.
BWW Review: Arizona Opera presents a captivating production of Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Last fall, when local companies were announcing their various seasons, one particular show made my eyes widen as I thought, 'WHO'S doing WHAT?' I'm talking about Arizona Opera bringing to Phoenix and Tucson a fully orchestrated presentation of the infrequently produced, head-shakeningly brilliant Stephen Sondheim musical, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Elegant, poetic, heady, romantic, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is an exciting choice for a large-scale staging leaning into traditional opera. Arizona Opera makes the most of the moment with an enchanting, delightful treat of a show.
BWW Review: AZ OPERA'S FILM, THE COPPER QUEEN at Home Computer Screens
The Copper Queen is a modern opera by Clint Borzoni and John de los Santos that tells of times past in Bisbee, Arizona. It won an Arizona Opera competition that insured its place onstage. Because of the pandemic and the fact that currently audience size is quite limited, The Copper Queen became a film that can be experienced online.
BWW Review: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE: THE MAKING OF A WESTERN OPERA
As multidimensional as is the landscape of the Southwest that so attracted Zane Grey, so too is the documentary that chronicles the creation of an epic opera, based on one of his most famous novels, RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE. Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Kristin Atwell Ford (and produced by Quantum Leap Productions in collaboration with Arizona Opera), the film is as powerful and evocative in its own way as the piece and the process it reveres and celebrates. It makes its virtual premiere on Thursday, March 25th as part of an online benefit initiative ~ in partnership between The Actors Fund and the film’s producer, Quantum Leap Productions ~ to support performing arts professionals out of work due to the pandemic. The film will be available for viewing until April 11th. Tickets are $10 and may be secured at Watch.RidersOperaFilm.com. Thereafter, it will be released for streaming.
BWW Feature: Peter Coyote, Karin Wolverton and More Star in RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE: THE MAKING OF A WESTERN OPERA
he Actors Fund announced today that Quantum Leap Productions will present 'Riders of the Purple Sage: The Making of a Western Opera,' a documentary film that celebrates the artistry of live theatre, as an online benefit to support creative professionals out of work due to the pandemic. The Actors Fund and Quantum Leap Productions are partnering to raise funds for performing arts professionals across the country. The film makes its virtual premiere Thursday, March 25th and will be available until April 11th. Tickets are $10 and are available now at Watch.RidersOperaFilm.com.
Production Recording Of PAUL'S CASE Released
National Sawdust Tracks released the recording of the chamber opera Paul's Case, composed by Gregory Spears, libretto by Kathryn Walat and Gregory Spears and conducted by Robert Wood.
Programming Announced Opera Saratoga 2019 Summer Festival
Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director, Lawrence Edelson announced today updated casting and additional events to be featured as part of the company's 2019 Summer Festival, beginning May 25th, 2019 and running through July 14th, 2019. In addition to the three previously announced productions of The Daughter of the Regiment, the world premiere of Ellen West, and Hansel and Gretel, Opera Saratoga will present a new series of master classes; a community symposium on