Music & Concerts

Epic beginnings

Washington National Opera starts first full season under new leadership

Published

12 years ago

September 11, 2013

Ian Storey in ‘Tristan und Isolde’ coming to the Washington National Opera. (Photo courtesy of the Washington National Opera)

‘Tristan und Isolde’
Sept. 15-27
‘The Force of Destiny’
Oct. 12-26
$25-$300
Kennedy Center
2700 F St., N.W.
dc-opera.org

Washington National Opera fall season can best be described as fateful, in no small part due to the repertoire chosen by artistic director Francesca Zambello. Although she took over the helm of the company in January of this year, the 2013-2014 lineup marks the first full season she’s planned, so it’s fitting that both of this fall’s main stage operas hinge on inscrutable turns of fortune’s wheel.

Richard Wagner’s legendary love story “Tristan und Isolde” opens the gate, in a production borrowed from Opera Australia and directed by Neil Armfield, a gay theater and opera director who makes his WNO debut with this production. Swedish soprano Irene Theorin will star as Isolde. She replaces Deborah Voight, who withdrew from the production. British soprano Alwyn Mellor will sing the final performance on Sept. 27.

Joining Theorin are two Tristans, the primary being Ian Storey (last seen here in a 2008 “Flying Dutchman”) with one performance taken by Clifton Forbis in his company debut. Storey has a rich history with Tristan, including opening the 2007 opera season at La Scala with the role. His 20-plus year career has brought him all over the world — a far cry from his humble upbringing as the youngest in a long line of English coalminers — but his La Scala Tristan reportedly lacked some of the Wagnerian heft sought after by enthusiasts. Hopefully, the intervening years have helped him round out his interpretation.

This production marks the 200^th birthday anniversary of Wagner, whose operatic version of the Tristan myth was first performed in 1865. The story follows the star-crossed title lovers, but more than just a simple love-gone-awry cautionary tale, “Tristan und Isolde” highlights themes of personal transfiguration through love’s transcendent consummation.

Forces beyond the protagonists’ control rule the lives of WNO’s next offering, Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” (here titled in English as “The Force of Destiny”). Zambello directs this new production of Verdi’s mammoth story about the cruel twists of fate that plague the Incan hero Alvaro and his Spanish love Leonora. WNO audiences haven’t seen “Forza” in decades and Zambello has assembled a strong cast of singers for this sweeping work.

Adina Aaron takes on the role of Leonora, sharing it for two performances with Amber Wagner. Opera fans will wait breathlessly for her famous final act aria “Pace, pace mio Dio,” where the heroine begs God for emotional peace despite the tumultuous love she still feels raging in her heart for a man she’s forsworn. It’s Verdi at his best, and Aaron’s career features a strong Verdian presence, most notably Aida, Amelia in “Ballo” and now “Forza’s” Leonora. Her large voice and stage command might just be an electrifying presence in a sometimes-wandering piece, although in many ways, the grounding force of the opera is the tenor.

Chilean singer Giancarlo Monsalve plays Alvaro, sharing the role only briefly with Rafael Davila (seen here last year as Pollione in the company’s hauntingly beautiful “Norma”). His ringing heroic tenor also seems like a dream for the tormented Alvaro, although his real challenge will be to scale the voice back when appropriate, adding human warmth to the drama instead of overdone Italianate bellowing, a temptation for any spinto style tenor.

Leonora’s brother Don Carlo is shared between Ángel Ódena and Luca Salsi, both bringing strong pedigrees to the role.

Part of the excitement around “Forza” is the conductor Xian Zhang. A diminutive Chinese woman who has quickly risen to great heights on the world conducting podium, Zhang’s reviews have hailed her ability to draw riveting performances from orchestras in complex works as diverse as Brahms and Chinese composer Chen Yi. While seeing a woman conducting opera isn’t a novelty, it’s rare enough to take note. In an interview with the Blade last spring, Zambello alluded to the fact that audiences could plan on seeing more women involved in top positions during upcoming WNO seasons.

Along with that promise is the premiere of Jeanine Tesori’s opera “The Lion, the Unicorn and Me,” a musical version of Jeanette Winterson’s charming children’s book of the same title. The story takes place shortly before the birth of Jesus, when a donkey is up for a very special job — carrying the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem. Tesori is best known for her Tony-nominated musical theater scores: “Twelfth Night,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Caroline, or Change.” WNO will run Tesori’s opera in December as its holiday offering.

At the start of her tenure, Zambello talked about wanting a more interactive opera experience, and with the plethora of post- and pre-performance talk-backs and lectures, the company appears hopeful of courting burgeoning opera fans, as well as the old standbys.

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Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by orson/Bigstock)

The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with “Thine Own Sweet Light” on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).

The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s “Ave Maris Stella,” Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” and Christopher Hoh’s “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.” The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep Ollé i Sabaté, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites.

For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.

Music & Concerts

Queer mega stars (and allies) ready to take D.C. stages this fall

Watch LGBTQ icons light up stages across the DMV as they sing, dance, and drag their way through spectacular shows.

Published

3 months ago

September 9, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Doechii performing at WorldPride 2025's closing concert in June earlier this year. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

One of the best ways to welcome fall is by catching LGBTQ performers (and their allies) lighting up some of the D.C. area’s biggest stages. From country and pop to drag and rock, the season is packed with shows you won’t want to miss.

Maren Morris – The country, rock, and pop diva—known for hits like “The Bones” and for standing up against Nashville’s anti-LGBTQ voices—takes the stage at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, Va.) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $64.

RuPaul – The mother of modern drag and host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will spin a DJ set at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE) in Northeast D.C. on Sept. 20. Before RuPaul swaps wigs for headphones, Trade and Number 9 owner Ed Bailey will warm up the decks. For tickets and details visit echostage.com.

Conan Gray – The queer pop prince, celebrated for his Gen Z anthems like “Heather” and “Maniac,” brings his Wishbone Pajama Show to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA, (4500 Patriot Cir) on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $113. For more info visit shop.conangray.com/pages/tour.

All Things Go Music Festival – With a lineup that includes Noah Kahan, Lucy Dacus, Kesha, Clairo, Doechii, and more, the beloved LGBTQ-friendly festival takes over Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.) Sept. 26–28. For tickets and details visit allthingsgofestival.com.

BERTHA: Grateful Drag – This unique tribute brings drag artistry and the sounds of the Grateful Dead to The Atlantis (2047 9th St NW) on Sept. 27. Tickets start at $47 at theatlantis.com.

Peach PRC – Rising Australian pop star and out lesbian, whose confessional tracks like “Perfect for You” and “Forever Drunk” have made her a queer TikTok darling, performs at The Atlantis on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The show is general admission only. Additional details are on theatlantis.com.

Addison Rae – The TikTok star-turned-pop princess, who’s crossed over into music with glossy hits like “Diet Pepsi” brings her sold out show to The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) on Sept. 30. Tickets are sold out, but resale options start around $80. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary – Celebrate the cult classic that’s been a queer midnight-movie staple for decades, with Barry Bostwick (a.k.a. Brad Majors) at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $41 via Ticketmaster.

Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills – Four legends, one stage. Between Khan’s funk, LaBelle’s soul, Knight’s R&B, and Mills’ powerhouse vocals, this concert at Capital One Arena (601 F St NW) on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. promises pure diva magic. Tickets start at $103. For more details visit capitalonearena.com.

Lorde – Joined by The Japanese House and Chanel Beads, the Grammy-winning New Zealand singer-songwriter behind “Royals” and “Solar Power” returns to The Anthem on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Lorde has long been embraced by queer fans for her dreamy pop and subversive lyrics. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.

Andy Bell (of Erasure) – The British queer rock icon, best known for synth-pop classics like “A Little Respect” and “Chains of Love,” brings his Ten Crowns Tour to the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $90.45.

Doechii – The self-described queer “Swamp Princess”—and WorldPride 2025 headliner—continues her breakout year with the Live from the Swamp Tour at The Anthem on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Known for blending rap, R&B, and avant-garde performance art, Doechii is one to watch. Tickets start at $153.

Neon Trees – The out-and-proud Utah rockers behind “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” perform at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Lead singer Tyler Glenn, who came out publicly in 2014, has become a strong queer voice in alternative rock. For tickets and info visit impconcerts.com.

Sasha Colby – The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 winner strips down on the Stripped II Tour at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets available now on Ticketmaster.

Lola Young – The bisexual indie-pop sensation, whose raw songwriting has earned her millions of TikTok fans and multiple chart soaring hits visits The Anthem on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.

Opera Lafayette

Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas

Featuring Mary Elizabeth Williams as Dido

+ Elijah McCormack, Chelsea Helm

Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Sixth & I

PostClassical Ensemble

The Pale Blue Do: A Musical Voyage Inspired By Nature

Featuring National Geographic’s Enric Sala, Guest Curator

Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.

Terrace Theater

Washington Concert Opera

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride

Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica

Nov. 23, 6 p.m.

Lisner Auditorium

Washington Master Chorale

Sacred Jewel Box

An intimate a capella concert taking place in an architectural jewel, featuring cherished choral gems from Anglican and Catholic tradition and early American hymns. The concert will also present the world premiere of Christopher Hoh’s Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, and hymn singing featuring Robert Church, organist and choirmaster at St David’s.

Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.

October 19, 5 p.m.

St. David’s Episcopal Church

Music & Concerts

Cyndi Lauper ready to have fun in Virginia

Superstar to bring final leg of farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Pop icon Cyndi Lauper brings her farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live on July 24. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Superstar Cyndi Lauper will bring the final leg of her farewell tour “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to Bristow, Va., on Thursday, July 24 at Jiffy Lube Live.

Lauper’s international Farewell Tour – her first major headlining run in a decade – kicked off in North America last October, and included her first time ever headlining (and selling out) Madison Square Garden. Lauper’s performances have earned raves from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many more, and surprise guests have included Chaka Khan, Sam Smith, and Hayley Williams. The tour just visited the U.K. and Europe, and will head to Australia and Japan in April.

Tickets are available on Live Nation’s website.