Marcy Stonikas has performed Turandot three times, and each time she is able to breathe new life into a truly challenging role. We chatted with her about the complexities of Turandot, what makes the character relevant today, and her favorite musical moments.   Where did you grow up, and when did you start singing? I grew up in Elmhurst, IL, which is a suburb of Chicago. I was singing as soon as I could make noise, I’m fairly certain. I […]

Brian Clowdus is the Artistic Director of Serenbe Playhouse, a site-specific theatre company tucked neatly into the Sernebe community, about 40 miles south of Atlanta. He’ll join The Atlanta Opera this fall to direct Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s The Seven Deadly Sins, the first selection in our 2017-18 Discoveries series. We chatted with him about his love of site-specific theatre, how audiences may be transformed, and how the piece is like grand dame Joan Crawford.  How did the idea of […]

Music Administrator Rolando Salazar began working at The Atlanta Opera in 2015, and since then, he has worn many hats. Since the departure of longtime Chorus Master Walter Huff, Salazar has stepped in to lead The Atlanta Opera Chorus in the meantime, and recently facilitated the general auditions in June. We chatted with him about the huge task of casting chorus members, audition prep, and what makes a cohesive opera chorus.   Tell us a little about yourself: where did […]

Atlanta classical radio producer and writer Noel Morris explains the history and context of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s The Seven Deadly Sins, which opens Sept 28 at Le Maison Rouge at Paris on Ponce.    By Noel Morris Kurt Weill was a refugee when he wrote the score to The Seven Deadly Sins. On March 22, 1933, he had dropped everything and crossed into France with his mistress and a small suitcase. A month earlier, on Feb. 18, crowds […]

The Atlanta Opera Chorus had the honor of singing our national anthem at the Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds game on August 19th. It was a beautiful day at the ballpark made even better by our amazing chorus. Bravissimo!

Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore will join us in September to sing one of her “bucket list” roles, Anna, in Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins. We chatted with her about growing up in Atlanta, women and the opera industry, and her recent book, Una Voce.    You’re an Atlanta native! Where did you go to school and when did you start singing? I grew up in Southeast Atlanta where I attended H.O. Burgess Elementary school, then we moved to Marietta when I […]

Richard Brady Bass Trombone Richard Brady has played bass trombone in The Atlanta Opera Orchestra for 32 years, and principal trombone for two seasons. He answered a few quickfire questions in our new Spotlight series for orchestra and chorus. The Atlanta Opera: What is your favorite Atlanta Opera production you’ve played? Richard Brady: Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss AO: What do you do when you’re not playing or practicing the trombone? RB: This has changed as I have gotten older. Before: […]

Mezzo-soprano Olivia Vote makes her Atlanta Opera debut as Mary in a new production of The Flying Dutchman. We chatted with her about Mary’s thoughts on Senta’s love interest, her process for each role, and what she watches during her down time.    Where did you grow up and when did you start singing? I grew up in St. Mary’s, MD where both of my parents worked at St. Mary’s College. My dad is a professor of voice and a […]

For the next installment of our Spotlight series, we chatted with Georgia native Mitch Gindlesperger, who has sung with The Atlanta Opera Chorus for 19 years (with an 11 year hiatus) as a bass. He was last seen on the mainstage as a German soldier in Silent Night (2016). Roles: Antonio, Le Nozze di Figaro Wolf/Woodsman, Little Red Riding Hood Second Solider, Salome Majordomo, La Rondine Armed Man, Magic Flute Old Gypsy, Il Trovotore Herald, Otello Herald, Rigoletto (twice) Second […]

Our most popular season to date is bookended by two of the greatest blockbusters that exist. We celebrate Bernstein’s centennial year with West Side Story, and close with a triumphant production of Verdi’s La Traviata. We will present the most frequently performed new American opera in the world, Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, as well as a grand, romantic interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, Eugene Onegin. Read more from ArtsATL on The Opera’s new season, and “bold new direction” >> The […]

Argentinian tenor Santiago Ballerini makes his role debut as Tonio in our production of The Daughter of the Regiment. We chatted with him about his thoughts on this role, his experience in the Atlanta Opera’s Studio, and what he listens to while on the road (Freddie Mercury, anyone?).