This March, we as a nation continue to recognize and applaud the contributions of women to events in history. Conductor Tania León made Michigan Opera Theatre history nearly 40 years ago, when she became the first woman to conduct a main-stage production for the company. Her debut occurred November 12th 1982 in Scott Joplin’s opera Treemonisha. Born in Havana, …
Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) is pleased to announce its 2021-22 season, under the artistic leadership of Yuval Sharon. This marks Sharon’s first full season since being named the inaugural Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director in September, a five-year appointment made possible by a generous gift from MOT Board member Gary L. Wasserman. MOT’s 2021-22 season is a statement of principles of …
As we continue to recognize the contributions of women to events in history this month, MOT fondly remembers soprano Rebecca Luker, who appeared with Michigan Opera Theatre in the 1980’s. Luker was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and received her BA in Music from the University of Montevallo. She first appeared as an apprentice …
As we continue to recognize the contributions of women to events in history this March, we at MOT salute one of our own history makers in our Assistant Music Director and Chorus Master, Suzanne Mallare Acton. A native of Detroit, Acton returned home following college to become Chorus Master at MOT in the 1980’s. This …
March is the month where we as a nation recognize and applaud the contributions of women to events in history. Composer Margaret Bonds constantly made history throughout her life. Born in Chicago on March 3rd 1913, she showed great musical talent early. At age 16 she was admitted to Northwestern University where she completes her …
On January 7th 1955 contralto Marian Anderson broke the color barrier at the Metropolitan Opera House by being the first African-American to sing there. MET General Director Rudolf Bing invited Anderson to make her debut as Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi’s Un ballo in Maschera opposite Zinka Milanov, Jan Peerce, Robert Merrill & Roberta Peters. Anderson …
56 years ago this month, a little known African-American soprano from New York stepped in at the last minute to replace superstar soprano Birgit Nilsson as Verdi’s Aida at the Metropolitan Opera House. Her performance received rave reviews with The New York Times praising Arroyo as “one of the most gorgeous voices before the public today.” …
60 years ago, soprano Leontyne Price and tenor Franco Corelli made their joint debuts in Verdi’s opera Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera House. Critics and audience members alike showered the two with high praise and endless ovations. In later years Miss Price often spoke of her 42 minute ovation and countless curtain calls that …
Michigan Opera Theatre recognized three long-term board members who are transitioning to Directors Emeriti at its 2019-20 Annual Meeting Nov. 19. Barbara Frankel, Maggie Allesee and Herman Frankel have retired from the Board after decades of service and support of MOT, which has included leading campaigns and donating rooms and resources to the Opera House, …
December is a month of giving, and as you do your holiday shopping, consider supporting MOT. Through beautiful Detroit Opera House-themed gifts, AmazonSmile contributions or donating on someone’s behalf, there are lots of ways to celebrate the holidays with MOT: Detroit Opera House-themed gifts with Well Done Goods Give your loved ones unique, locally-made gifts …
