Mezzo-Soprano J'Nai Bridges Gives Her Great Big Story To CNN

"J’Nai Bridges knows that most people perceive opera as being an artform for the elite. Because opera was traditionally catered towards nobility, many today still don’t feel welcome. Bridges wants to change that. The mezzo-soprano is a rising star in the opera world, with starring roles on stages around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera House and the San Francisco Opera. When she’s not belting out arias, she’s going to local schools to give students a chance to experience an opera, or teaching masterclasses at colleges. As a Black, female artist, Bridges knows the importance of showing children—especially BIPOC children—that classical music is possible. As Bridges says, when she walks into a room or onto a stage, her goal is to 'change minds, heal hearts, and make music.'" Watch the video after the jump. 

Gheorghiu And Kaufmann At European Culture Awards In Dresden

Award-Winning Smiles: Gheorghiu and Kaufmann

"Thirteen individuals and organizations have been honored with the European Culture Award in Dresden. Awardees include former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and former VW supervisory chief Ferdinand Piech. The prizes were awarded at Dresden's Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) on Friday, with 25 years of Germany's reunification as its central theme. The ceremony looked back at special achievements before and after the historical event. The European Culture Award is given out to individuals and organizations who have contributed towards the idea of a unified Europe. Tenor Jonas Kaufmann and Romanian soprano singer Angela Gheorghiu were the two soloists honored this year. The organizers also recognized the contributions of actress Kathrin Sass, the British violinist Daniel Hope and a civil society intiative for the reconstruction of the Frauenkirche in Dresden. Former VW supervisory chief Ferdinand Piech and former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez , who worked towards Germany's reunification, won the prize of honor at Friday's event. The Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic, led by Kristjan Järvi and cellist Maximilian Hornung were honored in the emerging talents category. 22-year-old Iva Kovic, a Lebanese artist of Slovenian origin, was the inaugural winner of the new visual arts category. The European Culture Prizes were awarded for the first time in 1993 and carry no monetary compensation. Its organizers include the European Cultural Foundation and the Frauenkirche in Dresden." [Source]

Palm Beach Opera Rewarded For Vital Contributions To Arts

Hot Ticket: Next up for Palm Beach Opera is a recital by Ildar Abdrazakov, titled "Seduction of the Senses," on February 5, 2015. More details and tickets can be found here. (Photo: Julia Borodina)

"Palm Beach Opera, under the general direction of Daniel Biaggi, will receive the Classical South Florida Ziff Award at a luncheon Jan. 30 at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. CSF honors organizations that make vital contributions to the arts. The award is sponsored by Dr. Sanford L. Ziff, founder of Sunglass Hut of America, and his wife Beatrice, who donated $1 million in 2007 to help found Classical South Florida 90.7. The nonprofit public radio organization is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale." [Source ] Read a review of the company's most recent performance of La Bohème by clicking here.

Alyson Cambridge Sings At 2014 Soul Train Awards In Las Vegas

Fresh from performances as Musetta in Puccini's La bohème at Washington National Opera, soprano Alyson Cambridge was in Las Vegas last night to sing at the 2014 Soul Train Awards along such luminaries as Chris Brown, Missy Elliot, Lil' Kim, Bobby Brown, and more. The singer announced the news yesterday on Facebook stating: "Trying to duo [sic] the opera world proud! Bringing legit opera to primetime and then fusing it with hip hop too!" Press release "Chris Brown is set to kick off the 2014 Soul Train Awards, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. The musician, who leads this year's nominees list with seven nods, will take the Orleans Arena stage in Las Vegas on Nov. 7. Also slated to sing at the annual ceremony are Aloe Blacc, Nico & Vinz, Lisa Stansfield, Kem, Jeremih and Liv Warfield. Jodeci are also set to

Alyson Cambridge on the red carpet

reunite for a medley of their hits. Wendy Williams will host the event, airing Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. on Centric and BET networks. The 2014 show will celebrate the history of dance with choreographer Fatima Robinson and her seasoned troupe, as well as producers 1500 or Nothin’ on board as music directors. 'This slate of performances is another example that Soul Train Awards 2014 is the only place where soul music lovers can find the diverse combination of current chart-topping performers and reunions from their favorite hit-making groups,' said Paxton Baker, general manager and executive vp, Centric, in a statement. 'We are pulling out all the stops this year and are thrilled to have Chris Brown and Jodeci lead the big surprises we have in store.' The 2014 Soul Train Awards is directed by Tony McCuin and produced by BET Event Productions and Sunseeker Media. Executive producers include Centric's Baker, Tami Arasli and Derek Lewis; Sunseeker's Bart Phillips; Soul Train Holdings' David Koff and Jerry Letter; Doug E. Fresh and Wendy Williams Productions' Williams and Kevin Hunter." [Source] Read more about the singer on the event's website by clicking here. A photo of Alyson Cambridge in rehearsal for the event is after the jump.

Patricia Rozario Receives Honor From Royal College Of Music

The Prince of Wales presents Ms. Rozario with the
Fellowship of the Royal College of Music award on
May 14, 2014. HRH is the President of RCM.
(Photo: Chris Christodoulou)

"This May, the soprano received the Fellowship from the Royal College Of Music, London, the second Indian to have been given this honour after world-renowned conductor Zubin Mehta. 'It is a prestigious award and a sign of recognition that I have attained a certain international level in Western music,' says Rozario, over the phone from her home in London, where she lives with her pianist-husband Mark Troop. Some of the previous recipients of this award include American violinist Yehudi Menuhin, violinist Nicola Benedetti, and theatre person Andrew Lloyd Webber. In her late 50s now, she moved to the UK more than 25 years ago to pursue a career in Western classical opera. Rozario graduated in English and French from Sophia College, Mumbai. Though she attempted to learn Indian classical music, the atmosphere at home lent itself naturally to jazz and Western classical music. 'My brothers were good at

jazz and my mother and I were into Western classical music and Hollywood musicals. When I began singing, I wanted to do the classical repertoire of Mozart and Handel,' says Rozario, whose father did not want her to pursue a career as an opera singer. Her German music teacher recommended her to a professor at the Guildhall School of Music in London, UK, when she was in college. 'I sang a Schubert composition and the professor was not impressed. Then he sang five notes and asked me to replicate the scales. I did that and he smiled,' says Rozario, who entered Guildhall when she was only 20. She now teaches at the Royal College of Music. Rozario’s style ranges from classical European opera to Baroque and contemporary music. She has performed with contemporary English composers such as the late John Tavener and Estonian Arvo Part. Tavener chose her for his opera Mary of Egypt. She went on to become his muse performing in pieces written especially for her, like Life Eternal, until he passed away in 2013. 'Coming from India it was a big challenge to act and be a character in operas. People took time to take me seriously. As an Indian, I was treading a certain path, which not many have. I had to build my confidence in the UK and I had to look the type. At an early stage in my career, I participated in a summer music programme at The Mozarteum, Austria, which boosted my

confidence of performing on stage,' says Rozario, who began performing in a sari to assert her individuality. Unwilling to let go of her Mumbai ties, in 2009, she started the Giving Voice Society, an institution that trains students in Western classical forms, in the city. Rozario and Troop come three times a year with a set of compositions to mentor students. Her current batch will perform an opera across the country titled Dido and Aeneas by Baroque English composer Henry Purcell, this August. Awarded the OBE in the New Year’s Honours in 2001, Rozario was given the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Goa government in 2013. Among her other ambitions, Rozario wants to perform with Mehta, whom she auditioned for briefly. 'He said he wanted to do a Gustav Mahler composition with me. In fact, I am just going to write to him now,' she says." [Source] A list of other well-known opera singers bestowed with this prestigious honor can be found after the jump.

Diana Soviero Honored By The Gerda Lissner Foundation

Singers Joseph Dennis, Mario Chang, Ryan Speedo Green, Paul Han, Shirin Eskandani, Alison King, Maya Lahyani, Jonathan Kelly, Arlene Shrut, Honoree Diana Soviero and Alexey Lavrov. (Photo: Howard Heyman)

"On the evening of Wednesday, May 7 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City, The Gerda Lissner Foundation showcased their 2014 winners and honored internationally acclaimed soprano Diana Soviero. Stephen De Maio, President of The Gerda Lissner Foundation, spoke enthusiastically about the winners and how proud he is of the awards given to so many throughout the years to help them attain their goals. He thanked Trustees Barbara Ann Testa, Dorothy Moore, Karl Michaelis and Michael Fornabaio, Vice President/Treasurer of The Gerda Lissner Foundation, for their efforts and all of the operatic notables present. Stephen De Maio was recently honored by Opera Index at their Spring Lunch. The Newark born De Maio, a legend himself, asked Opera News editor and author Brian Kellow to host the program and introduce the honoree, New Jersey born (Jersey City) internationally acclaimed soprano Diana Soviero. Kellow elaborated on Soviero’s great career and the impact she had on her audiences everywhere. The New York City Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden–not bad for a 'Jersey girl.' Kellow mentioned how the arts influenced his life and how the 1945 film Spellbound impacted him. He then thanked Soviero for the influence her performances gave all of us as Cio Cio San,

Operatic Selfie For The Ages At Opera News Awards

Luca Pisaroni posted the operatic equivalent of the infamous Ellen Degeneres selfie from the Academy Awards. Some pretty big names in this photo, including: Stephen Costello, Susan Graham, Kristīne Opolais, Ailyn Perez and Joyce DiDonato. (Photo: Facebook)

Echo Klassik 2012 Awards Renée Fleming and Klaus Floridan Vogt

"Die Sopranistin Renée Fleming und der Tenor Klaus Florian Vogt erhalten den Musikpreis Echo Klassik 2012. Fleming und Vogt werden als Sänger des Jahres geehrt, wie die Deutsche Phono-Akademie mitteilte. Als Dirigent des Jahres wird Riccardo Chailly ausgezeichnet. Unter den Preisträgern ist auch die Geigerin Anne Sophie Mutter. Sie wird für die 'Konzerteinspielung des Jahres, 20./21. Jahrhundert' in der Kategorie Violine ausgezeichnet. Die Verleihung findet am 14. Oktober in Berlin statt." [Source]


Watch Renée Fleming sing "Un bel di" at the Queen's Jubilee:

Soprano Marquita Lister Receives Victory Award in D.C.

"Last week, Washington, D. C. native Marquita Lister was among the recent recipients of the prestigious Victory Award at the 25th Anniversary Victory Awards Gala held at the Wardman Park Marriott. 'The entire evening was magical.' said Lister. According to a recent press release, The Victory Awards® were created by NRH (National Rehabilitation Hospital) in 1986 to celebrate the Victory of the Human Spirit. This nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind award honors individuals who best exemplify exceptional strength and courage in the face of physical adversity. Over the past 25 years, NRH has recognized celebrities and former patients from all walks of life with this prestigious award." [Source] To see photos from the event go here and for more about Marquita Lister click here.

Risë Stevens Among NEA Opera Honorees For 2011

Risë Stevens as Dalila from the Saint-Saëns
opera of Samson et Dalila.

"Stage designer John Conklin and singer Risë Stevens, along with general director Speight Jenkins, and composer Robert Ward will receive NEA Opera Honors at a ceremony to be held on Thursday, October 27 at 7:30pm in Washington, DC. The event will be broadcast through a live webcast and also archived online for viewing after the event concludes. The ceremony, which will include performances by Lawrence Brownlee and Heather Johnson, along with an onstage conversation with the honorees, launches National Opera Week." [Source] Ticket information for the event and complete biographies of the honorees can be found here.

Australia's 2011 Helpmann Award-Winners Announced

"The annual Helpmann Awards® recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's vibrant live performance sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre. The Helpmann Awards also incorporates the JC Williamson Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian live performance industry. The Helpmann Awards®, named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann and to commemorate his memory and achievements, were established in 2001 by Live Performance Australia (LPA) to recognise, celebrate and promote our live performance industry, similar to the Tony Awards on Broadway and the Olivier Awards in London. The principal objective of LPA in establishing the Awards is to nationally and internationally serve and promote the Australian live performance industry by:
- recognising distinguished artistic achievement and excellence
- ensuring the Awards are administered and produced with integrity
- ensuring the Awards are celebrated by the industry and the Australian community
- ensuring the Awards are the most prestigious awards in the industry and the highlight of each Season." [Source]

Nominees this season included (pictured above left to right): Rinat Shaham, Rachel Durkin, Emma Matthews and Patricia Racette. A complete list of this year's nominees (and winners) by category is after the jump.

Dora Award Opera Nominations Announced in Toronto

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
Prima Donna (Luminato)
Orfeo ed Euridice (Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago)
Nixon in China (Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Chicago Opera Theatre, Opera Colorado, Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera and Portland Opera)
La Cenerentola (Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Houston Grand Opera Association, Welsh National Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu and Grand Théâtre de Genève)
Death in Venice (Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra National de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera)


OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
Sondra Radvanovsky (Aida /Canadian Opera Company)
Lawrence Zazzo (Orfeo ed Euridice/Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago)
Jane Archibald (Ariadne auf Naxos/Canadian Opera Company presents Welsh National Opera Production)
Alan Oke (Death in Venice/Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra National de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera)

The Dora Mavor Moore Award (also known as the Dora Award) is an award presented annually by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts which honours theatre, dance, and opera productions in Toronto. Named after Dora Mavor Moore, who helped establish Canadian professional theatre, the award was established on December 13, 1978. Each winner receives a bronze statue made from the original by John Romano. [Source, Source]

Jessye Norman Presents Inaugural Vision Award

Arthur Miller and Jessye Norman
(Photo: Marilyn Abalos/Dance Theatre of Harlem)

"Opera star Jessye Norman presented Dance Theatre of Harlem's Inaugural Vision Award to the organization's co-founder and Artistic Director Emeritus, Arthur Mitchell at a gala benefit, held at The Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center on Monday, April 25. The gala was hosted by actress, author and former dancer Victoria Rowell. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Next Generation Fund for scholarships and financial aid to students at the Dance Theatre of Harlem School." [Source]

Opera Scores Big at Golden Mask Awards in Russia

Mezzo-soprano Yelena Zhidkova

"2011 will go down as the year when the Golden Mask truly went international. Non-Russian artists have won awards in the past, but this year was something special. More than two dozen foreign artists — singers, choreographers, conductors, directors and designers — received nominations for work completed during the 2009-10 season. Of them, five walked away with the coveted plaque featuring a ceramic mask on a mirrored background."

American tenor Neil Shicoff - Best Male Singer in La Juive for the Mikhailovsky Theater of St. Petersburg. Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis - Best Director for Wozzeck at the Bolshoi Theater. Britain's Paul Brown - Best Designer for Die Frau Ohne Schatten at the Mariinsky Theater. Russian mezzo-soprano Yelena Zhidkova - Best Female Opera Singer for Duke Bluebeard's Castle for the Mariinsky Theater. Additional winners included Tatyana Maslakova - Best Female Singer in an Operetta/Musical (Khabarovsk Musical Theater) and Dmitry Averin - Best Male Singer in an Operetta/Musical (Rostov-on-Don Musical Theater) [Source]

Houston Grand Opera Honors Frederica Von Stade

(Photo: Eric Melear)

"In recognition of her stellar career and long association with the company, HGO named her an Honorary Board Member and created the The Silver Rose Award. She has won almost every award possible for her music, and she holds the distinction of simultaneously holding the first and second spots on national sales charts. She's been nominated for six Grammys, won two Grand Prix du Disc awards, and in 1998 was awarded France's highest honor in the Arts when she was appointed an officer of L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Von Stade was given a special award at The White House by President Reagan in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts, and she's constantly asked to sing at global opening ceremonies, most recently the 2002 Winter Olympics. Elegies, an opera by Richard Danielpour (co-writer of Dead Man Walking with Jake Heggie), was written specifically for von Stade." [Source]

Nominees: Jonas Kaufmann, Christian Gerhaher & Andrew Shore

The Olivier Awards announced their nominees for the 2011 ceremonies taking place on March 13. Making the list for "Outstanding Achievement in Opera" are (from left to right): Andrew Shore, Christian Gerhaher and Jonas Kaufmann. Specific production information is after the jump.

Bryn Terfel Helps Welsh National Opera Win Award

Bryn Terfel as Hans Sachs in WNO's Meistersinger

"A MAJOR Wagner production starring Bryn Terfel in the leading role has scooped an international arts award for Welsh National Opera. The Cardiff-based company has won the opera category of the South Bank Sky Arts Awards for Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg. Directed by Richard Jones, it premiered at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay last summer, with Terfel singing Hans Sachs, the role which he has described as the 'pinnacle' of his career. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg beat off competition from English National Opera’s A Dog’s Heart and Glyndebourne’s Billy Budd to win the latest award." [Source]

For more information and a video of Bryn Terfel singing "Was duftet doch der Flieder" go here.

Virginia Zeani Honored By Marcello Giordani Foundation

The Marcello Giordani Foundation presented its annual fundraising concert on December 8, 2010, during which a Lifetime Achievement Award was given to soprano Virginia Zeani. Watch the tribute filled with rare photos from her career and her acceptance of the award, as well as performances by Lise Lindstrom ("Ecco l'orrido camp"), Stephen Costello ("Che gelida manina"), Leah Crocetto ("Tu che di gel sei cinta") and Marcello Giordani ("Ah! leve-toi, soleil!") after the jump.

Mia Farrow 2011 Recipient of Marian Anderson Award

"Actress and activist Mia Farrow is set to be honoured for her continued dedication to human rights causes across the globe. The Rosemary’s Baby star is an outspoken campaigner for refugee causes, particularly those affecting children in war-torn areas."

Opera Index Honors George Shirley

Opera Index will presents its 2011 Distinguished Achievement Award to tenor George Shirley at their 27th annual black-tie winter gala on Sunday, January 16. The event will take place at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York City and Spiro Malas will present the award. They will also posthumously award the late mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett.

The Opera Index is a non-profit organization that has boosted the careers of more than 250 young singers through its annual vocal competition since its inception in 1984. 

Pictures and biography of George Shirley after the jump.