Deborah Nansteel News

Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2016–2017 season with a new production of Gaetano Donizetti's mashup of slapstick comedy and charming romance—The Daughter of the Regiment, November 12–20, 2016, in the Kennedy Center Opera House. The cast is led by superstar tenor Lawrence Brownlee as the hero Tonio and fast-rising soprano Lisette Oropesa, who starred as Susanna earlier this season in WNO's The Marriage of Figaro, as Marie. While the opera is best known for the vocal acrobatics required of its singers, the high-comedy antics of the non-singing role of The Duchess of Krakenthorp often steal the show. On opening night, November 12, 2016, the role of The Duchess will be performed by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her official Washington National Opera stage debut. The brand-new WNO production is directed by acclaimed Broadway director and choreographer Robert Longbottom, and the WNO Orchestra is led by rising conductor Christopher Allen, both in their WNO debuts.

Under the direction of Bartlett Sher (whose work is currently represented on Broadway with Lincoln Center Theater's revival of The King and I, Charles Gounod's 1867 French opera ROMEO AND JULIET comes to opulent, dramatic life--with the quality and grandiosity that characterize Lyric Opera's productions. This production of Gounod's opera--with libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carre and which was first performed at the Lyric in 1981--retains the original Renaissance setting of Shakespeare's classic play and renders it larger-than-life. The inherently dramatic nature of the play makes it a fitting choice for an operatic adaptation--Romeo and Juliet's tragic love story becomes even more heightened when set to Gounod's decadent score.

Lyric Opera of Chicago continues its 61st season with ROMEO AND JULIET in a new-to-Chicago production created by Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher, tonight, February 22, through Saturday, March 19 (nine performances). This is the eighth and final mainstage opera production of the widely acclaimed 2015/16 season. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the company in action below!

Lyric Opera of Chicago continues its 61st season with Romeo and Juliet in a new-to-Chicago production created by Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher, Monday, February 22 through Saturday, March 19(nine performances). This is the eighth and final mainstage opera production of the widely acclaimed 2015/16 season.

Mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel, in her New York Philharmonic debut, will replace Marietta Simpson, who has withdrawn due to illness, in In Their Footsteps: Great African American Singers and Their Legacy.

Mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel, in her New York Philharmonic debut, will replace Marietta Simpson, who has withdrawn due to illness, in In Their Footsteps: Great African American Singers and Their Legacy.

(WASHINGTON)-Washington National Opera (WNO) celebrates its seventh season of free opera simulcasts at Nationals Park with title sponsor Mars Chocolate North America for the M&M'S® Opera in the Outfield performance of Rossini's charming romantic comedy Cinderella today, May 16, 2015. This dazzling production has been acclaimed worldwide for its witty characterizations, rainbow-bright sets and costumes, and easy-to-follow English translation, making it a perfect opera for the entire family. Gates open at 5 p.m. for "pre-ball" activities, and the opera will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the high-definition NatsHD scoreboard at the ballpark at 7 p.m. Free seating will be available in the stands, while access to the outfield grass will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis when gates open at 5 p.m. More information, including a chance to RSVP to win prizes, is available at OperaintheOutfield.org.

The finale of Washington National Opera's season, Cinderella, is an enchanting and vibrant retelling of a classic fairy tale with an imaginative twist.

CINDERELLA wins more than bracelets in Washington National Opera's closing opera of the season. Featuring the auspicious debut of American mezzo soprano Isabel Leonard (2013 Richard Tucker Winner), Rossini's comic and lyrical romantic opera weaves an easy spell. CINDERELLA – “La Cenerentola” – is conducted with skill and precision by Italian conductor Speranza Scappucci, also making her WNO debut. The role of Isabella (Cinderella) is sung by Leonard on May 13, 16, 19 and 21. Alternating the role with Leonard, is Irish mezzo Tara Erraught, making not only her WNO debut but her first American opera appearance. Erraught is Isabella on May 11, 15, and the matinee on May 17.

Washington National Opera (WNO) concludes its 2014-2015 season with a new-to-Washington staging of Gioachino Rossini's charming romance-Cinderella, tonight, May 9-21 in the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Washington National Opera (WNO) concludes its 2014-2015 season with a new-to-Washington staging of GioachinoRossini's charming romance-Cinderella, May 9-21 in theKennedy Center Opera House.

(WASHINGTON)—Washington National Opera (WNO) celebrates its seventh season of free opera simulcasts at Nationals Park with title sponsor Mars Chocolate North America for the M&M'S® Opera in the Outfield performance of Rossini's charming romantic comedy Cinderella on Saturday, May 16, 2015. This dazzling production has been acclaimed worldwide for its witty characterizations, rainbow-bright sets and costumes, and easy-to-follow English translation, making it a perfect opera for the entire family. Gates open at 5 p.m. for “pre-ball” activities, and the opera will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the high-definition NatsHD scoreboard at the ballpark at 7 p.m. Free seating will be available in the stands, while access to the outfield grass will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis when gates open at 5 p.m. More information, including a chance to RSVP to win prizes, is available at OperaintheOutfield.org.

Washington National Opera (WNO) concludes its 2014-2015 season with a new-to-Washington staging of Gioachino Rossini's charming romance-Cinderella, May 9-21 in the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Handel's sensuous and sparkling opera Semele is coming to McCaw Hall for the first time this February. Composed to an English-language libretto, this Greek myth tells the story of a mortal woman, Semele, who aspires to live among the “beautiful people”—that is, to become a goddess. Abducted by Jupiter, king of the gods, Semele believes she has found endless love (not to mention endless pleasure!) in the divine realm. But dancing with the deities proves dangerous; Juno, Jupiter's jealous wife, will make this mere mortal pay dearly for her ambition and vanity in an opera that is both comic and tragic.

The idea of finding your voice is a two way street in the world premiere one-hour opera PENNY. Composer Douglas Pew and librettist Dara Weinberg have created a succinct, lyrical piece in which their title character discovers her talent for music and is able to communicate and take charge of her life in spite of incredible odds. At the same time, Pew and Weinberg's new work is part of Washington National Opera's American Opera Initiative, a commissioning program that works to expand the American operatic repertory. Young artists from WNO's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program are able to collaborate on new works with living composers and librettists through the American Opera Initiative.

Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2014-2015 season with the world premiere of the one-hour opera Penny by composer Douglas Pew and librettist Dara Weinberg, presented under the auspices of WNO's American Opera Initiative, this weekend, January 23-24, 2015 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.

Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2014-2015 season with the world premiere of the one-hour opera Penny by composer Douglas Pew and librettist Dara Weinberg, presented under the auspices of WNO's American Opera Initiative, January 23-24, 2015 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Pew and Weinberg are alumni of the American Opera Initiative; their 20-minute work A Game of Hearts had its world premiere during the program's first season in November 2012. Penny is conducted by American Opera Initiative mentor Anne Manson and directed by Alan Paul, the Associate Director of Washington's Shakespeare Theatre Company.

It's a new era at Seattle Opera. The company today announced its 2015/16 season, the first to be presented by General Director Aidan Lang, and a return to full-year programming with a total of six operas, including new productions and a world premiere. Under Lang's leadership, the company hopes to serve the community through the magic of theater and music in McCaw Hall, and in learning and engagement programs across the Pacific Northwest.

It's a new era at Seattle Opera. The company today announced its 2015/16 season, the first to be presented by General Director Aidan Lang, and a return to full-year programming with a total of six operas, including new productions and a world premiere. Under Lang's leadership, the company hopes to serve the community through the magic of theater and music in McCaw Hall, and in learning and engagement programs across the Pacific Northwest.

American composer Tobias Picker is presented in OPERA America's Creators in Concert series this season on Wednesday, October 8 at 7 p.m. at the National Opera Center. The hour-long presentation includes a discussion with the composer, moderated by OPERA America President and CEO Marc Scorca, and performances of select arias from each of the composer's five operas by sopranos Kristin Sampson and Ashley Emerson, mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel, tenor Daniel Durran, and baritones John Brancy and Christian Bowers. For tickets, priced at $25, or access to a livestream of the event, visit operaamerica.org/CreatorsInConcert.