Ruth Ann Swenson Jun 23, 2008
At UCSF, where she was referred for treatment, it was decided that she would wait until late October, after she had finished performing an engagement of "Faust" in New York, to have surgery and chemotherapy ... Swenson's goal was to be finished by spring so she could return to the Met to sing in "Faust." ... "We set our sights on spring, when I would sing 'Faust' again, and Cleopatra in 'Julius Caesar.' That was my goal. It was important to have that to look forward to, to be a warrior and... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Giuseppe di Stefano, a Tenor Whose Career Flamed Out Too Early, Is ... Mar 6, 2008
Renowned for his superb voice, Mr. di Stefano had only brief years at the top, with a repertory that focused on lyric roles like the Duke in Rigoletto, the title role in Faust and Werther ... But he received his greatest accolades for his performances as Faust. (New York Times)
Giuseppe di Stefano, a tenor whose career flamed out too early, is dead at 86 Mar 5, 2008
Renowned for his superb voice, Di Stefano had only brief years at the top, with a repertory that focused on lyric roles like the Duke in "Rigoletto," the title role in "Faust" and "Werther." ... But he received his greatest accolades for his performances as Faust ... "The most spectacular single moment," Bing wrote in his 1972 memoir, "5,000 Nights at the Opera," was "when I heard his diminuendo on the high C in 'Salut! Demeure' in 'Faust.' I shall never as long as I live forget the beauty of... (International Herald Tribune)
2007 in the arts Dec 29, 2007
Punchdrunk's outrageously creepy setting in a disused Wapping warehouse of its haunting version of Faust. The hilarious dancing girls whom Richard Jones inserted into his gorgeously sung production of L'Heure Espagnole at the Royal Opera House, seen in a double bill with Bryn Terfel in Gianni Schicchi. (Guardian Unlimited)
State Theatre to air classic opera tragedy Dec 14, 2007
Gounod composed well-known operas such as "Faust," and his operatic version of "Rom;o et Juliette" will be a wonderful romantic performance, said Susan Boardman, director of the Penn State opera program. "It is a total treat that this opera is coming here, not just for the audience but for the State Theatre as well," Boardman said. (Daily Collegian, PA)
Rose Bampton, at 99; star of the Metropolitan Opera Aug 24, 2007
She debuted at the Chautauqua Opera in 1929 as a mezzo in the role of Siebel in Gounod's "Faust.". The next year she moved to Philadelphia, where she sang with the Philadelphia Grand Opera and enrolled in the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music. (Boston Globe)
Merola Opera Program graduates put considerable talents on display Aug 21, 2007
There were other pleasures on display as well: mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack's stylish turn at the head of an ensemble from Ravel's "L'Heure Espagnole," bass-baritone Sam Handley's bumptious romp through the "Golden Calf" aria from Gounod's "Faust," a sweetly rendered duet from Weill's "Street Scene" by soprano Ashley Logan and tenor Alexander Boyer, and mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy's heart-tugging version of "Addio Roma" from Monteverdi's "L'Incoronazione di Poppea.". It wasn't just the singers who... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Classical picks Aug 17, 2007
At Tanglewood, James Levine leads the BSO in Brahms and Bartok tonight, and in Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust" tomorrow night. The annual performance of Beethoven's Ninth will be Sunday, with Rafael Fr hbeck de Burgos leading the TMC Orchestra. (Boston Globe)
The Air This Week Aug 14, 2007
8:30 p.m. James Levine/BSO, live from Tanglewood: Berlioz "La Damnation de Faust" (Yvonne Naef, Marcello Giordani, Jos van Dam, Patrick Carfizzi) (WCRB). 9 p.m. Pierre-Laurent Aimard/Mahler Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Piano Concerto K. 415, Haydn Symphony No. 102, Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 (WQXR: ). (Boston Globe)
Jerry Hadley Jul 21, 2007
He made his Covent Garden debut the following year as Fenton in Falstaff and returned frequently in later years - as the Duke in Rigoletto, Rodolfo in La Boh;me, in the title role of Les Contes d'Hoffmann, and as Faust in Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust in 1993. The first night was attended by the former prime minister, Lady Thatcher, whom, it seemed, Hadley appeared to be serenading personally when he sang "Far from human struggles and from troubled days I come". (Telegraph.co.uk)
JERRY HADLEY: 1952-2007 Jul 20, 2007
" Hadley rediscovered opera as a student at Bradley University in Peoria (Ill.), beginning with a performance as Tamino for which he had auditioned on a whim. After pursuing graduate studies at the University of Illinois and appearing for several seasons with the New York City Opera, he made his European debut in Vienna in 1982, and sang frequently throughout Europe and the United States in the ensuing seasons. His appearances with the San Francisco Symphony included two notable stints as the... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Jerry Hadley, 55; one of the most versatile and important U.S. opera singers Jul 19, 2007
A protege of renowned soprano Joan Sutherland and her husband, conductor Richard Bonynge, Hadley made his debut with the New York City Opera in 1979 as Arturo in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" and sang with the company until 1989, encompassing roles such as Des Grieux in Massenet's "Manon," Pinkerton in Puccini's "Madame Butterfly," Tom Rakewell in Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress," Massenet's "Werther" and Gounod's "Faust.". It was as Des Grieux that he made his Met debut in 1987. (Los Angeles Times)
Punk fiction Jul 14, 2007
Brian De Palma's glitzy rock musical reworked chunks of Faust and Phantom Of The Opera. Privilege (1967). (Guardian Unlimited)
Tanglewood tunes up for season Jul 7, 2007
He sings the title role in the BSO's performance of Berlioz's "The Damnation of Faust.". Information: 888-266-1200. (Boston Globe)
Remembering Beverly Sills: Diva, star, down-to-earth goddess Jul 7, 2007
It was Ms. Sills ability to let her hair down that made her just as popular with people who didn t know Dr. Faust from Festus as she was with season ticketholders for the New York City Opera. Ms. Sills died Monday at age 78. (Montana Standard, MT)
In Zurich, the musical essence of Goethe's 'Faust' Jul 3, 2007
In Zurich, the musical essence of Goethe's 'Faust' - International Herald Tribune. Simon Keenlyside in the dual role of Faust/Doctor Marianus in "Faust Scenes." ( Suzanne Schwiertz) ... In Zurich, the musical essence of Goethe's 'Faust. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Pick of the Proms Jul 3, 2007
Philip Langridge, tenor Prom 70: The Damnation of Faust (September 6). If I was to choose only one Prom, after sobbing myself to sleep for having missed all the others, it would have to be this performance of Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust ... Berlioz because I love his music; The Damnation of Faust because I sang it only once and never had the chance again; the Boston Symphony Orchestra because their playing has been transformed by their music director, James Levine. (Guardian Unlimited)
Why you pretend to like modern art Jul 2, 2007
In his great novel Doktor Faustus, Thomas Mann portrayed this as the work of the devil. The new Faust who makes a pact with Satan in this novel represents the composer Arnold Schoenberg, who sells his soul in return for a system for composing music. (Asia Times Online)
Pageant crowns San Diego woman Jul 1, 2007
In the pageant's talent competition, she sang "The Jewel Song" from the opera "Faust" in French. Saturday's finale wrapped up four nights of competition for 49 contestants, including Miss Atwater Holly Holt, Miss Clovis Chance Williams, Miss Kings County Michelle Spoelstra, Miss Merced County Brittney Rice and Miss Tulare County Meaghan Swinney. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Grammy Award winner Mark S. Doss returns to San Francisco Opera Jun 15, 2007
Mr. Doss opened his 2006-2007 season in November as Mephistopheles in Portland Opera's Faust, and while in town sang the National Anthem for the Portland Trail Blazers home game versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Earlier this season, Mr. Doss starred as Mephistopheles in the Kalamazoo Symphony's Faust (Michigan, USA). (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
2007 Dora Award Nominees Announced Jun 9, 2007
Faust, Canadian Opera Company ... David Pomeroy, Faust. (Suite101.com)
Musicals lead race for Toronto theatre honours Jun 9, 2007
Four COC operas are vying for the outstanding opera production category, with Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Faust, Elektra and Das Rheingold to compete against Opera Atelier's Orpheus and Eurydice. Toronto Dance Theatre's Timecode Break will be the one to beat in the dance categories after garnering four nods. (CBC News)
Singing waitress serves up song to David Foster Jun 6, 2007
"I sang an opera song it's from an old opera called Faust, called The Jewel Song," Greenway said in interview with CBC Radio. . (CBC British Columbia)
Company fires soprano from production at 11th hour -- director defends decision Jun 3, 2007
" Both women have long and successful track records in the Bay Area. After a small turn as the Strawberry Woman in the 1995 production of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," Briggs made a superb return to the company in 2004 as the Duchess of Parma in Busoni's "Doktor Faust. " She was also a powerful Amelia in the Festival Opera's 2005 production of Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera. (San Francisco Chronicle)
What's new at the DeKalb Library May 27, 2007
In Honor of Drew Gilpin Faust. he Creation of Confederate Nationalism by Drew Gilpin Faust ... others of Invention by Drew Gilpin Faust. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Saxony - Dresden and Leipzig May 26, 2007
Goethe set part of the first scene in his play Faust in the Auerbacks Keller, a popular restaurant in the Madler Arcade which specialises in regional Saxon dishes. Nearby is a statue of Faust liasing with the devel, the toe of his left shoe worn to a high polish by people touching it for good luck - rather strange custom considering Faust s failed search for the secret of eternal youth. (Suite101.com)
Who, what, when at Tanglewood May 20, 2007
8/18: Levine conducts Berlioz's "La Damnation de Faust" with Yvonne Naef, Marcello Giordani, Jose van Dam, Patrick Carfizzi, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, PALS Children's Chorus. 8/19: Rafael Fruehbeck de Burgos conducts Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with Melanie Diener, Mary Phillips, Marcus Haddock, Raymond Aceto, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. (Boston Globe)
Review: Swenson Gets Warm Met Reception Apr 9, 2007
Swenson returned to the Met from medical treatment last month for two performances of Gounod's "Faust." Cleopatra, with eight arias, is a famously taxing role. At 47, her voice sounds more effortful during some stretches, like an athlete needing to work harder in the latter stages of a career. (Shoals TimesDaily)
Opera Cincinnati - Profile Mar 12, 2007
Ohio Opera Company Encourages a Younger Audience. Opera Cincinnati, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is committed to encouraging a younger audience to come to their summer opera season. (Suite101.com)
More of this story Mar 11, 2007
In this performance, she will sing arias from Puccini, Verdi, Berlioz and Massenet as well as popular selections such as the "Jewel Song" from Faust, "Un bel d" from Madama Butterfly and the "Habaera" from Carmen. The L.A. Opera Orchestra conducted by Eugene Kohn will accompany the diva. (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
When wild girls rule Mar 7, 2007
The trailblazers include Drew Gilpin Faust, Harvard's first female president; Rep. Nancy Pelosi, first female House Speaker, and Katie Couric, first solo female news anchor. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Emmanuel Music offers rare Schumann Mar 2, 2007
But as the late John Daverio pointed out in his indispensable Schumann book, its themes of transformation and the journey from the earthly to the spiritual realm have a lot in common with some of Schumann's more serious, larger-scale works such as the "Scenes from Goethe's Faust.". You may think it strange that a piece like "Der Rose" is only now being heard in Boston, 156 years after it was written. (Boston Globe)
Complete Event Listing for Spoleto Festival USA 2007 in South Carolina Feb 27, 2007
Faustus, the Last Night (American Premiere) An Opera in One Night and Eleven Numbers Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street 8pm, May 27, 29, June 2 $25, $40, $70, $100. Faust and his pact with the Devil have been a theme of works throughout musical history, but contemporary French composer Pascal Dusapin's take casts this familiar tale in a new light ... The libretto, also by Dusapin, follows Faust through his final night on earth as he searches for answers to life's questions. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
- Martin Kettle Feb 24, 2007
You think, with Faust, that this may all go on for ever. Then think again. (Guardian Unlimited)
New performances at Seongnam Arts Center Feb 19, 2007
Located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, the venue has firmly established itself as one of the most original forces in the local performing arts world, with fresh and unique performances such as publisher-turned-Mahler-conductor Gilbert Kaplan's riveting performance with the KBS Symphony Orchestra and baritone Matthias Goerne's recital, as well as the local premiere of the musical "Miss Saigon" and the center's own production of opera "Faust.". "They say the entire city has been culturally... (Korea Herald, Korea)
With one star snowed in, another steps in Feb 18, 2007
The Debussy pieces, moved to the second half of the program, were conducted by young Montrealer Yannick Nzt-Sguin, who is in town conducting the Canadian Opera Company's current production of Charles Gounod's Faust ... The COC's Steven Philcox picked up the slack for the last two acts of Faust at the Four Seasons Centre. (Toronto Star)
Suicide, Rejection, Hell and Roses: a London Valentine's Guide; Preview Feb 14, 2007
The up-market operatic performance includes love duets from ``La Boheme'' and Gounod's ``Faust,'' and concert-goers have been invited to submit amorous messages for inclusion in the program. For those who want to experience a romantic gesture with a twist, they can also be serenaded free by the Philharmonic's eight double-basses in the foyer before the main event. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Cage and Mendes on Ghost Rider Feb 13, 2007
It doesn't take itself too seriously, of course, it's funny, but it's coming from Classic themes like Faust with Gerta or Thomas Mann or then "Beauty and the Beast" and it's fascinating to take those story structures and reintroduce people to it in a pop art, contemporary manner. In a comic book especially, no less, which is fun and reaches a lot of people. (Superherohype.com)
Kaleidoscope of inventiveness invigorates 'Damnation' Feb 10, 2007
James Levine conducts the BSO's "Damnation of Faust" Thursday ... From Gounod to Busoni to Thomas Mann, the Faust legend has captured and catalyzed many an artistic imagination ... But has anyone responded to this myth with as much sheer invention and originality as did Berlioz in "The Damnation of Faust". (Boston Globe)
Faust's colorful kaleidoscope Feb 9, 2007
From Gounod to Busoni to Thomas Mann, the Faust legend has captured and catalyzed many an artistic imagination. But has anyone responded to this myth with as much sheer invention and originality as did Berlioz in "The Damnation of Faust" ... The music is constantly shifting and refracting such that each scene feels exquisitely tailored to the action at hand as Faust journeys from the plains of Hungary to his sulfurous final resting place. (Boston Globe)
* Classical DVD Review Feb 8, 2007
This DVD contains one for the 1999 Salzburg Festival Damnation of Faust, one of the finest opera productions of its era. It puts this very uneven Seraglio to shame. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
UNH pianist hits all the right notes Feb 6, 2007
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause in Johnson Theater Sunday at the faculty concert series, after hearing pianist Arlene Kies conclude Mephisto Waltz #1, from author Nikolaus Lenau's Faust. This was the 10th concert series put on by the university's music department this academic year and incorporated the esteemed Kies, playing on a Steinway piano, combined with the lively sounds of the French horn played by musician and composer Wayne Lu. (The New Hampshire, NH)
World's Oldest Person Dies At 114 Jan 29, 2007
AP ImageEmma Faust Tillman rests as her daughter, Marjorie Tillman helps prop her head back, at the Riverside Health and Rehabilitation, East Hartford, CT. Faust Tillman died Sunday night at 114 years old and was the oldest person in the world prior to her death ... Emma Faust Tillman, who became the world's oldest known living person just last week, died Sunday night at a Connecticut nursing home. (KERO 23, CA)
