EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Opera Atelier holds a unique place in the North America theatre community, producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. These productions draw upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, featuring soloists of international acclaim, period ballet, original instruments, elaborate stage décor, exquisite costumes and an imaginative energy that sets Opera Atelier apart. Opera Atelier is not in the business of “reconstruction”, rather each production is original providing a thrilling theatrical experience for modern audiences." See the website for more information.

Added on: Apr 10, 2007 | Hits: 974

Vast site on the subject of Baroque Opera (French language only).

Added on: Nov 17, 2005 | Hits: 802

"The Early Opera Company is a vibrant, young professional ensemble. Founded in 1994 the company made its debut with a production of Handel's Agrippina at Mannes College New York, with a London debut of Handel's Serse in 1996. ... " See the website for more information.

Added on: Apr 10, 2007 | Hits: 794

“Opera Lafayette  is an American period instrument ensemble dedicated to performances of 17th- and 18th-century operas, particularly the French repertoire. Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Ryan Brown, Opera Lafayette has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal following for its concert and staged opera productions with well-known American and international artists. Its collaborations with The New York Baroque Dance Company, the leading baroque dance group in this country, have produced world premiere musical and dance performances.

Opera Lafayette records for Naxos. Its debut recording of the 1774 Paris version of Gluck’s Orphée et Euridice was released internationally in 2005, followed by Sacchini’s Oedipe à Colone in 2006 and Rameau’s Rameau Opera Arias for Haute-Contre with tenor Jean-Paul Fouchécourt in 2007. Opera Lafayette has also recorded Lully's Armide for release in 2008 and Rebel and Francoeur’s Zélindor, roi des Sylphes, a world premiere recording made at the Music Center at Strathmore, for release in 2009.  ..“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 04, 2010 | Hits: 684

“Pacific MusicWorks provides a forum for the artistic vision of conductor and baroque opera specialist Stephen Stubbs.  Productions range from chamber music to fully staged operas, engaging internationally renowned artists in collaboration with leading musicians of the Northwest.  Audiences of early music enthusiasts are expanding by PMW’s educational offerings that reach from the primary school level through advanced work with young professionals to other members of our community.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jan 22, 2012 | Hits: 613

The Seattle Academy of Opera (formerly Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera) is a program dedicated to preparing musicians for a career in baroque opera performance founded by Stephen Stubbs. 

In recognition of the need for ongoing education in the field of baroque opera for both singers and continuo players, we also offer weekend workshops during the academic year. Unlike the Accademia d'Amore, which has 40-50 participants, these events are designed for a smaller group (limited to eight singers) allowing for more in-depth work and exploring the repertoire of the cantata and motet as well as operatic scenes. The faculty of Seattle Academy of Opera are artists-in-residence at St James Cathedral. 

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jan 20, 2011 | Hits: 444

“Baroque Opera Live is a new opera company based in Hastings, East Sussex. We were formed in June 2010 to perform the works of Handel, Rameau, Lully, Vivaldi and other composers of the Baroque era.

Baroque music was composed roughly from the time of Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) to that of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). One of its main influences is thought to be Martin Luther, the father of Protestantism, who believed that music could enhance reverence for God and help to spread God’s word.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 18, 2012 | Hits: 391

“Until the nineteenth century, audiences and critics considered opera the highest form of art. Because it combines drama, poetry, music, dance and rhetoric, opera was seen as the most perfect synthesis of arts with which to move the passions, engage the mind and delight the senses. Rich and poor, intellectuals and common folk alike enjoyed going to the opera, which was as popular then as movies are today. In our time, opera companies are reluctant to perform early works because they believe audiences have changed; that the stories and music of the past have lost their resonance.

We don’t agree.

Helios strives to resurrect these less-known masterpieces by combining creative, modern staging with energetic period musical performance. We bring together talented young artists from across the northeast to create for our audiences an entirely new experience of opera. Early opera can be powerful, thrilling and relevant today: these pieces united kings, poets, soldiers and shoemakers — we invite you to see why.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jan 22, 2012 | Hits: 350

“Nordic Network for Early Opera is a new initiativ with the aim to promote early opera from ap. 1600-1700.

The Network functions as an informal hub for dialogue and research with the participance of leading scholars and musicians both within and outside the Nordic countries.

Conferences, masterclasses, workhops, publications and meetings are regular acitivities organized by the Network.

The long term goal is to establish a permanent environment for research and production which can function as a platform for the staging of early operas based on the very same historical research, thus joining theory and practice.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2012 | Hits: 341

“Under the continued artistic leadership of Suzie Leblanc, music director Alexander Weimann and stage director Marie Nathalie Lacoursiere, Le Nouvel Opera is dedicated to the production and workshopping of repertoire from the baroque and classical periods in the form of Operas, serenatas, intermezzi, singspiel and other artforms where dance, theatre, commedia dell'arte, visual arts and singing are blended together into one spectacle.

While deeply committed to an understanding of performance practice, part of the company's mandate is to make this repertoire relevant to a modern audience by making as many connections as possible to contemporary life and culture. To this end, the company has made education an integral part of the company's future plans.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Tags: Le Nouvel Opera

Added on: Mar 28, 2012 | Hits: 339

Opera Company the Camerata de Caracas
Voices, drama and talent that arouse emotion and imagination

“Memoria de Apariencias was created in 1988 by Professor Isabel Palacios with a group of professional singers with the initial aim to tackle the repertoire of chamber opera developed from the early Baroque to the Classical period.  …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 29, 2012 | Hits: 320

“The Opéra Comique was founded in 1714 under Louis XIV. It is among the oldest dramatic and musical institutions in France. Its history was alternately turbulent and prestigious until it was listed on the register of the national theaters in 2005.

Since then, a new period has begun for the theater: it aims to introduce its remarkable repertoire, ensure the production and diffusion of dramatic works to the general public.

A Musical Genre

Opéra comique is a genre represented by the Opéra Comique. It is not necessarily comic in nature, but sung lines are interspersed with spoken drama. Opéra comique contrasts with opera, which is sung throughout.

A Building

As from 1783, the Opéra Comique staged its productions in a theater that took on the name of famous librettist Charles-Simon Favart.
The Salle Favart burnt down twice and was rebuilt on the same plot. In 1898 the third Salle Favart was granted to the Opéra Comique.”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jan 26, 2012 | Hits: 308