Singer

Only sixteen Lieder (songs for voice and piano) survive from Alma Mahler’s vast output, as her husband Gustav curtailed her publication efforts. Five poem-based works evoke love—intoxicating, intimate, infinite, and reflective of loves’ past. Gustav’s initially panned Symphony No. 1 employs musical imagery akin to a song cycle, interpreting nature’s joys and sorrows.

EPSG:4326

Mahler & Mahler

Kleinhans Music Hall

Pagliacci, a staple of the Italian verismo tradition opens Buffalo Opera Unlimited’s 40th anniversary season. The opera is a larger-than-life story of love, jealously, and betrayal set within a Commedia dell'arte circus troupe, where painted smiles and bright costumes mask infidelity. The lead clown, Canio, is consumed by jealousy when he suspects his wife, Nedda, of having an affair. The line between on-stage and off-stage drama is blurred, ultimately leading to a tragic climax.

Pagliacci

Buffalo State Performing Arts Center

Mozart’s final works illuminate the stage in this profound program, opening with the dramatic overture to Don Giovanni, a vivid depiction of the infamous libertine’s final moments. The evening’s journey continues with Horn Concerto No. 2, showcasing BPO principal Jacek Muzyk’s mastery of the horn’s rich tones. The heart of the concert is Mozart’s Requiem, a work shrouded in mystery and unfulfilled promises, performed by a stellar cast of soloists alongside the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. This concert is a tribute to the genius of Mozart, exploring themes of mortality, redemption, and the eternal quest for understanding.

Mozart’s Requiem

This festive season, join JoAnn Falletta, Nikki Chooi, and the BPO for a celebration of winter through the evocative music of Vivaldi and Piazzolla. Chooi, with his exceptional artistry, bridges 250 years and two continents, interpreting the crisp, frosty air of Vivaldi’s Winter and the sultry, tango-infused chill of Piazzolla’s Buenos Aires. This unique juxtaposition highlights the universal beauty and diversity of the season, offering a perfect accompaniment to the holiday spirit. This concert promises to be a warm, illuminating musical feast, perfect for the whole family.

JoAnn’s Classical Christmas

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Vocal Competition 2024 Finals Concert & Awards Dinner, hosted by Opera Birmingham. This prestigious event will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 4:00 P.M. at the elegant Vestavia Country Club. 

Experience the thrill of competition as ten exceptional finalists, selected from a pool of talented singers, showcase their vocal prowess. The evening promises an array of stunning performances, with each finalist performing one aria of their choice and another selected by our esteemed panel of judges. This year's judges include Cris Frisco, a renowned opera conductor and coach; Angela Turner Wilson, the General Director of Fort Worth Opera; and Keith A. Wolfe-Hughes, the General Director of Opera Birmingham.

As you enjoy the performances, you'll have the opportunity to compare your favorites with the judges' choices and see if your preferred singer wins the day. The event will also feature the presentation of The Jerry and Sis Levin Prize for the Audience Favorite Award, a tribute to the legacy of Jerry and Sis Levin, who were instrumental in founding the Vocal Competition in 1978.

Tickets are available for the concert only or for the full experience, including a seated dinner with the singers, musicians, and judges. Concert-only tickets are priced at $25 per person, which includes the vocal competition concert and social time immediately following, with a cash bar available. For those opting for the Concert & Dinner option, tickets are $200 per person, with $100 being tax-deductible. This package includes all the benefits of the concert-only ticket, plus two drink tickets and a seated dinner.

Reservations for the concert and dinner are required by March 4, while concert-only tickets can be ordered until March 11. To place your reservation or order tickets, please call 205-322-6737.

Don't miss this elegant evening of wine, song, and celebration of emerging operatic talent. Whether you're an opera aficionado or new to the world of opera, the Vocal Competition 2024 Finals Concert & Awards Dinner promises an enchanting experience for all.

Soprano

Andrea Bickford

Events

Past events

7 - 8 Nov, 2025

Mahler & Mahler · Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

26 - 28 Sep, 2025

Pagliacci · Buffalo Opera Unlimited

Future and recently performed repertoire

Nedda in Pagliacci by Leoncavallo

Buffalo Opera Unlimited

Singer in Symphony No. 1 by Mahler

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

Singer in Lieder by Mahler

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

About

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