This month introduces the new New Orleans Opera Blog, which announces a birthday milestone, more informative and entertaining lectures, and two save-the-date announcements.

The new blog details New Orleans Opera General Director Clare Burovac‘s experience “Judging for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions during a pandemic.”

“I have been judging for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (MONC) for almost ten years.  It’s always a wonderful experience,” says Burovac. “This season is a year like no other in the arts, and the MONC auditions are no different.”

Those interested in the auditions can apply here.

Opera fans  can also save the date for free Master Class Mondays. New Orleans Opera and Loyola University have a long and rich relationship, with a history of many partnerships, including Masterclasses. They are proud to collaborate again this year in the virtual environment and are excited that they can invite their readers to join them.

Nancy Maultsby will host a class on March 8, 2021, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CST, and Alfred Walker will host his on April 26, 2021, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. CST.

Masterclasses play a very important role in the development of a young singer. According to Fred Plotkin, “Masterclasses are one of the most fascinating aspects of the process of taking talented but inexperienced young singers and trying to polish and mold them while allowing them to retain what makes them special.”

For more information on these events, and other blog posts, click here.