Sarah Kirkland Snider’s ‘Hildegard’ Wins Music Critics Association of North America’s Best New Opera for 2026
Sarah Kirkland Snider’s two‑act chamber opera “Hildegard” won the Music Critics Association of North America’s 2026 Best New Opera award. The accolade, decided by a panel of leading critics, highlights works that excel musically and theatrically. “Hildegard,” commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and the Aspen Music Festival, premiered with Los Angeles Opera and Prototype Festival and earned a New York Times “Critic’s Pick.” Future semi‑staged shows, a U.S.‑Europe tour and a studio recording are now in development.
Astrik Khanamiryan, Massimo Cavalletti, Jorge Puerta, Alejandro Del Angel & Liliana De Sousa Lead Aalto Musiktheater Essen’s 2026-27 Season
The Aalto Musiktheater Essen unveiled its 2026‑27 season, featuring a blend of classic revivals and new productions. Highlights include Korngold’s “Das Wunder der Heliane,” a contemporary piece titled “Day of Night,” and a double‑bill of “Cavalleria rusticana” and “I Pagliacci.”...
Whitehall Choir to Premiere Hepplewhite’s ‘Living Voices’ This June
Whitehall Choir will debut Russell Hepplewhite’s new choral song cycle “Living Voices” on June 24 at St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, London. Baritone Marcus Farnsworth, pianist Ian Tindale and conductor Joanna Tomlinson will present ten works that set poems commissioned from ten contemporary...
Judge Rules that Kennedy Center Name Change Is Illegal
A federal judge on May 29, 2026 ruled that the Kennedy Center cannot be renamed after Donald J. Trump, stating that only Congress may alter the institution’s name. The decision blocks the board’s plan to temporarily close the venue for...
Sam Taskinen Joins Zelaya Artists for Worldwide Management
Finnish bass‑baritone Sam Taskinen has signed worldwide representation with Zelaya Artists. This season he tackles Scarpia in “Tosca,” Schaunard in “La Bohème,” and Guillaume Cecil in “Maria Stuarda” at the Finnish National Opera. His résumé includes engagements at Opéra‑théâtre de...
Marta Torbidoni Makes Unexpected Jump In at Teatro Alla Scala’s ‘Nabucco’
On May 26, soprano Marta Torbidoni stepped onto the stage of Teatro alla Scala to sing Abigaille in Verdi’s Nabucco, filling in for Anna Netrebko, who was forced to cancel due to a travel mishap. The substitution was announced just...
Soprano Tessa McQueen Wins Top Prize at Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition 2026
Soprano Tessa McQueen captured the top prize at the 26th Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, earning a $15,000 first‑place grant. She also secured a $5,000 Facing Forward award for the best 21st‑century aria performance. McQueen, a Lindemann Young Artist at the...
Tatev Baroyan Joins IMG Artists for Management
Armenian soprano Tatev Baroyan has signed with IMG Artists for general management, joining a roster that includes other rising opera talent. She will be represented by veteran artist manager Andrew Owens, whose network spans major opera houses worldwide. Baroyan’s résumé...
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Announces Retirement of General Director
Deborah Sandler Kemper, Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s general director and CEO, will retire on June 30, 2027, concluding a 15‑year tenure. She was the company’s first female leader and only the third person to hold the role since its...
Performing Arts Laboratory to Host Conversation with Composer Raúl Esteban Ardila Pineda on New Opera ‘Buscando/Seeking El Dorado’
The Performing Arts Laboratory will host a Spanish‑language conversation with Colombian composer Raúl Esteban Ardila Pineda on May 20, 2026, as part of its “A Coffee with Diego” series. Hosted by Maestro Diego Barbosa‑Vásquez, the event will explore Ardila Pineda’s diverse career and the...
Andrew Owens Takes on Role of IMG Artists’ Vocal Artist Manager
Tenor Andrew Owens has been promoted to Vocal Artist Manager at IMG Artists, a role he assumes after twelve years on the agency’s roster. Owens, who has performed with leading opera houses such as Seattle Opera and Opernhaus Zürich, will...
David Lomelí Named General Director & CEO of the Dallas Opera
The Dallas Opera announced that David Lomelí will assume the role of Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO on June 1, 2026, succeeding Ian Derrer. Lomelí brings a decade of senior artistic experience at Dallas Opera, plus recent leadership at Santa Fe Opera and...
Elim Chan Joins Wiener Symphoniker as Artistic Partner
Conductor Elim Chan has been appointed Artistic Partner of the Wiener Symphoniker for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. In this role she will lead ballets and orchestral concerts at the Wiener Konzerthaus and the Musikverein. Chan previously served as principal...
Britten Pears Arts Announces Summer at Snape’s 2026 Lineup
Britten Pears Arts unveiled its 2026 Summer at Snape program, featuring a series of classical voice events across August. Mezzo‑soprano Niamh O’Sullivan will open the season on August 2 with the Fantasia Orchestra, followed by a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s...
Xabier Anduaga Encores in ‘Werther’ at Gran Teatre Del Liceu
Tenor Xabier Anduaga made history on May 10 by delivering his first encore at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu during a performance of "Werther." After his rendition of "Pourquoi me réveiller," the audience gave a thunderous ovation, prompting the encore of...