Jan 9th, 2009 · New Orleans has had a rebirth as the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts reopened more than three years after Hurricane Katrina. The 2,100-seat theater is home to the city's symphony, ballet and opera. City officials hope it's the first of many more public venues to reopen this year.
Jan 9th, 2009 · Smetana's brilliant comedy is among the world's most popular operas, yet remains deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of his Czech homeland. Jiri Belohlavek leads a production by the Paris Opera, from the Palais Garnier.
Jan 6th, 2009 · Friend and patron to several generations of composers and artists, Freeman was the catalyst behind the opera Nixon in China by John Adams, as well as pieces by John Cage, Harry Partch, Thomas Ades, Philip Glass and dozens of others.
Dec 31st, 2008 · In a new memoir, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Adams chronicles his life and offers insights into his acclaimed - and often controversial — operas and orchestral works.
Dec 12th, 2008 · Giuseppe Verdi finished his masterpiece Otello at age 73, after a 12-year hiatus, basing the opera on the great tragedy by Shakespeare. Tenor Johan Botha and soprano Nuccia Focile star in a production from Cologne.
Dec 11th, 2008 · Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD of Scott Wheeler's opera, based on a hymn to Boston by the New York poet Kenneth Koch. The disc captures a live performance by the Boston Cecilia choral society.
Dec 9th, 2008 · The Baltimore Opera is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday. The Baltimore Sun reports the remainder of the 2008-2009 season has been canceled, and ticket holders will not receive refunds. Peformers are being released from their contracts.
Dec 5th, 2008 · Operas, no mater how lurid or violent, generally champion lofty ideals and traditional values — but not this time. In Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea, the most noble and virtuous characters wind up dead or deported, while the lustful and villainous are rewarded with wealth, power and passion.