Diana Newman makes her Metropolitan Opera debut
Soprano and USC Thornton alum Diana Newman (’12, MM ’14) made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Papagena in The Magic Flute on December 27. Newman previously debuted with the Dallas Opera as First Lady in The Magic Flute in 2019, and she is a recent graduate of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center.
West Edge Opera commissions Nicolas Lell Benavides to write “Dolores,” an opera about labor organizer and activist Dolores Huerta
Post-doctoral candidate Nicolas Lell Benavides has been commissioned by Berkeley’s West Edge Opera to write “Dolores,” an opera about United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.
Angela Meade headlines Wexford Festival Opera 2021 season
An operatic soprano, Meade has won more than 50 vocal competitions, including the grand prize at the 2009 Montreal International Musical Competition.
Lynn Helding authors paper on COVID-19 effects on vocalists
USC Thornton Vocal Arts and Opera faculty member Lynn Helding is the lead author of “COVID-19 After Effects: Concerns for Singers,” a new paper published in the Journal of Voice. The paper, co-authored by Dr. Michael Johns, director of the USC Voice Center at Keck Medicine, offers an in-depth look at the potential damages and… Continue reading Lynn Helding authors paper on COVID-19 effects on vocalists
Daily Trojan highlights Live! From Somewhere performance series
The Daily Trojan, USC’s student-led newspaper, recently highlighted USC Thornton’s new video series, Live! From Somewhere. The series was launched on March 16 in response to recent closures and event cancellations, and as the school’s artists have looked for ways to continue making music while social distancing. Live! From Somewhere presents homemade performances by Thornton… Continue reading Daily Trojan highlights Live! From Somewhere performance series
Angela Meade receives glowing reviews for “Roberto Devereux” performance
Vocal Arts & Opera alum and highly renowned soprano Angela Meade (MM ’04) received glowing reviews for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in LA Opera’s production of “Roberto Devereux.” OperaWire praised her vocal performance and stage presence, writing: “Soprano Angela Meade offered a riveting performance as the Queen displaying the widest range of emotions… Continue reading Angela Meade receives glowing reviews for “Roberto Devereux” performance
Angela Meade stars in LA Opera production of Roberto Devereux
Vocal Arts & Opera alum Angela Meade (MM ’04) will star as Queen Elizabeth I in LA Opera’s production of Roberto Devereux. The company premiere will run from Feb. 22 to March 14. This will be her third appearance with LA Opera, after her debut in 2012 in Don Giovanni, and her 2015 performance in… Continue reading Angela Meade stars in LA Opera production of Roberto Devereux
Ted Hearne to premiere new opera in partnership with Beth Morrison Projects
Beth Morrison Projects, Trinity Church Wall Street, and PROTOTYPE Festival have announced a multi-year partnership that will produce the premieres of five new operas over the next three seasons, including the 2022 premiere of “Slaying of Innocence,” a new opera composed by Ted Hearne, acclaimed composer, performer and USC Thornton Composition faculty member. The work… Continue reading Ted Hearne to premiere new opera in partnership with Beth Morrison Projects
2019-2020 Scenes
The singer-actors of the Thornton Vocal Arts department present an exciting night of opera and musical theatre scenes. Britten, Mozart, Monteverdi, Bellini, Verdi, Bizet, Strauss, and Jones & Schmidt will be performed and accompanied by piano in Newman Recital Hall.
La Calisto – CANCELED
UPDATE March 13, 2020: As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to respond to the Covid-19 virus threat all USC Thornton School of Music ensemble performances for the remainder of Spring ’20 semester have been canceled, including our planned production of La Calisto. For more information please visit Thornton’s Covid-19 updates page. For the University’s… Continue reading La Calisto – CANCELED