Peter Russell: Last News

A 150-year old painting has left art lovers speculating, as its subject appears to be scrolling on an iPhone.

The opportunity for a trip down memory lane reeled in Annan residents to The Anglers on Tuesday afternoon on a double challenge.

Lakmé is best known these days for its fluttery “Flower Duet” (“Sous le dôme épais”), sung by a soprano and mezzo-soprano, which has become a staple in film and advertising, and for the famous coloratura soprano aria “Bell Song” (“Où va la jeune Hindoue?”).Set in India in the late-19th century during the rule of the British Raj, Lakmé focuses on the forbidden love that sparks between the titular daughter of Hindu high priest Nilakantha and the trespassing British officer Gérald.Erin Morley is Lakmé in the WCO production, overseen by the company’s Artistic Director Antony Walker, opposite Frédéric Antoun as Gérald.Also making their debuts with the Washington Concert Opera are soloists Alfred Walker as Nilakantha, Theo Hoffman as Gérald’s fellow British officer Frédéric, and Taylor Raven as Lakmé’s servant Mallika.Peter Russell, general director of Vocal Arts DC and co-founder of Washington Concert Opera, shares insights about Lakmé in a recording posted to the company’s website that will be adapted into an in-person pre-performance talk.There will also be a post-performance Lakmé Cast Party hosted by the Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St. NW.Additionally on the company’s website is a 73-minute-long video recording of highlights from the production that kicked off the 35th season as well as the post-pandemic return to in-person performances last fall, Gioachino Rossini’s Maometto II, streaming until mid-September.Sunday, May 22, at 6 p.m.

Dead Man Walking, an operatic adaptation of Sister Helen Prejean’s famous book that he developed with Terrence McNally.Barton and Heggie will perform music from The Breaking Waves at this recital, designed in part as a live showcase of the duo’s Grammy-nominated 2020 album Unexpected Shadows.The program also includes the album’s song cycles “Of Gods & Cats,” set to poems by Gavin Dillard, and “Iconic Legacies: First Ladies at the Smithsonian,” set to poems by Gene Scheer and originally commissioned by Vocal Arts.Also on tap at the concert is “What I Miss the Most,” a song cycle set to lyrics by an assorted bunch of strong, inspiring women, including Prejean, Joyce DiDonato, Patti Lupone, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Kathleen Kelly.“Jamie Barton and Jake Heggie make music together in a way that is completely beguiling and infectious,” says Vocal Arts DC’s Peter Russell in a press release.“It is an honor to welcome them back to our organization for the first time since our 25th anniversary season in the autumn of 2015, and I know their program will be a joyous occasion.”Wednesday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. Terrace Theater.

lord of the dance to king of the catwalk - gravity defying Peter Russell has jetéd and pliéd his way to success in the world of modelling.The flexible 40-year-old, who has danced with companies all over Europe, is now one of Scotland’s most sought-after male models.Peter, who grew up in Edinburgh, has walked runways across the globe and modelled for some of the hottest designers on the planet including Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton.The contemporary dancer, who was scouted at the famous La Scala opera house in Milan 12 years ago, has also worked one to one with the queen of fashion - Donatella Versace.Peter, who has lived in Sweden, Italy, Denmark and LA, returned home to Scotland three years ago and now has Britain’s biggest brands queuing