in the news

OPERA America Announces 2023 Opera Hall of Fame Inductees

OPERA America is pleased to announce the induction of seven exemplary artists, administrators, and advocates to the Opera Hall of Fame as the Class of 2023. The 2023 Opera Hall of Fame inductees are Michael Bronson, Wayne S. Brown, Anthony Davis, Susan Feder, Frayda B. Lindemann, Sherrill Milnes, and Frederica von Stade.

Over a Decade of RAISING VOICES

The Savannah VOICE Festival returns for its eleventh season August 6-20. Over the course of these two weeks, the Hostess City will enjoy more than 25 performances taking place at venues across the Coastal Empire.

Aria: Savannah VOICE Festival Kickoff

The Savannah VOICE Festival welcomed its 11th Season with a parade of operatic solos performed by selected Festival and Studio artists on Sunday, August 6, 2023. Check out the photos here!

Savannah VOICE festival kicks off

The annual Savannah Voice Festival kicked off Sunday in the Historic District. Organizers say over these next two weeks, there will be plenty of concerts, events, and educational programs focusing on classical music.

Javier Arrey, Emma Peterson and Jorge Parodi perform ahead of Savannah Voice Festival

Afternoon Break got a special taste of that as Javier Arrey, Emma Peterson and Jorge Parodi joined us for a live in studio performance.

ARIA: A Festival Kickoff hosted by Savannah VOICE Festival

The Savannah VOICE Festival welcomes its 11th Season with a parade of operatic solos performed by selected Festival and Studio artists on August 6, 2023, beginning at 5 p.m.

Savannah Master Calendar: Where YOU need to be July 31-August 6

Sun, August 6 5:00p • ARIA: Sav VOICE Fest Kickoff @ Christ Church  

Savannah VOICE Festival Partners with The Charles H. Morris Center for Second Week of Performances

The Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) is continuing its partnership with The Charles H. Morris Center for its eleventh season to present a diverse array of productions during the final week of the Festival, Aug. 14-20. At the Morris Center, patrons can look forward to a range of music with “OPERA MOVIE NIGHT”, “CONCERT: CARLTON MOE AND FRIENDS”, and “LEGACY: OPERA SCENES NIGHT”.

Savannah VOICE Festival Receives Grant From Georgia Council For The Arts

The Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) was awarded a Bridge grant by Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

"A Lasting Legacy" Press Release

The Savannah VOICE Festival celebrates the beauty of the human voice through opera productions, recitals, concerts, musical theatre and song during this eleventh season, which will run from August 6-20, at various venues around The Hostess City.

VOICES UNDER THE STARS Press Release

The Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF), now in its eleventh season, which will run from August 6-20 and is themed “A Lasting Legacy”, has partnered with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra to expand the Festival to the Low Country.

Sherrill Milnes VOICE Program Announce Opera Idol Winner

The Sherrill Milnes VOICE Program has announced the winner of the 17th annual Opera Idol competition. The 2023 Opera Idol winner, Seungchan Hong, a South Korean baritone, was awarded this prestigious scholarship. 

Milnes VOICE Programs Expand to Pooler

It’s amazing how magic can happen when you mix singers and salt makers together. You simply combine the two and a masterpiece is created...

Eye on the Arts: Opera Society to honor Sherrill Milnes, legendary singer and teacher

The Opera Society, the fundraising and educational arm of Florida Grand Opera, will be honoring legendary baritone and teacher Sherrill Milnes on April 1, 11:30 a.m. at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club in Fort Lauderdale.

Musical America's 2022 Top Professionals of the Year

Savannah Voice Festival partners with Historic Savannah Foundation to host 'Songs and Stories in the Squares'

Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) has partnered with another local nonprofit Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) to host a holiday season installment of “Songs and Stories in the Squares."

Chad Sonka of the Savannah VOICE Festival on Education and Outreach

Chad Sonka is the Executive Director of the Savannah VOICE Festival. He talks about education and training including how they work with the Chatham County School System.

BUNNY IN THE CITY: Savannah Voice Festival's Tenth Anniversary Kickoff at JEA

“How fantastic it is that Sherrill Milnes, the foremost operatic baritone of his generation and his wife Maria Zouves, a talented soprano, have made Savannah their SVF home for the past ten years?!”

Where's Bunny Ware?

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – There are so many amazing events happening throughout the Savannah area and we have our Bunny Ware to show us around! This week, we take you to the 10th Annual Kickoff for the Savannah VOICE Festival.

Savannah VOICE Festival To Close 10th Season With Gala And Charles Gounod's FAUST

The Savannah VOICE Festival will close out its tenth season with a reception and special concert gala featuring 2022 Milnes VOICE Awardee, Frederica "Flicka" von Stade, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at the historic Green Meldrim House, 14 W Macon Street.

Savannah Voice Festival Celebrates The Beauty Of Song In Tenth Season Lineup

The Savannah VOICE Festival celebrates the beauty of the human voice with concerts featuring many different genres of song during this tenth anniversary season, which runs from August 7-21.

Aug. 8 - Savannah Voice Festival to serve community with partnerships, free events during 10th season

For its tenth anniversary season, the Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) is further extending its collaboration with community partners as well as making the vocal arts accessible to all through outreach andfree events.

Savannah VOICE Festival kicks off their tenth season

After COVID precautions the past few years festival organizers say the group’s founders are excited to bring the music back to the Hostess City.

“It’s their vision to create a festival that honors these voices and shows Savannah how brilliant these voices are. Of course, showing that brilliant music can happen right here in Savannah,” Chad Sonka said.

Savannah VOICE Festival 10th Anniversary Kickoff at the JEA

Savannah VOICE Festival embraces its spooky side in its 10th season with array of opera favorites

Every year, the Savannah VOICE Festival seeks to uplift spirits in the community, but this year it seems they’re going to summon some spirits as well.

Chad Sonka Talks About the 10th Season of the Savannah VOICE Festival

Chad Sonka is the Executive Director of the Savannah VOICE Festival. He talks about the vocal programming for their 10th season that starts on August 7th and runs through the 21st.  

THOSE GLORIOUS GOLDEN PIPES: Meet Sara Zoe Budnik

“I think that everybody is really going to enjoy the Voice Festival this year because it’s all about community and sharing what the festival has been able to offer. . . The theme of it is Voices from Beyond and each piece touches on this. It’s going to have voices that are truly beautiful beyond words."

2022 SAVANNAH VOICE FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE

“Swinging Into the Season” with opening night and kick-off reception.  Featuring the Elite Party Band and selected Artists of Season 10.

Savannah VOICE Festival To Celebrate Human Voice With Concerts Of Many Different Genres

"This season is themed 'VOICES From Beyond' and the talent and range of beautiful voices appearing in Savannah this year, allows us to revere and enjoy the significance of song throughout history," explains Artistic Director Jorge Parodi. "We are not only celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Savannah VOICE Festival, but also the community's support as we move beyond the challenges of recent years."

Beyond just voices... and voices from beyond

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Savannah Voice Festival (SVF) is bursting with song in anticipation of its summer festival season kicking off with a two-week festival running August 7 through 21.

VIDEO: Danny Cohen on the Importance of Arts Education in Savannah

Danny Cohen is the newest board members of the Savannah Voice Festival. He discusses the organization and how it supports furthering the education of young students within the arts.

My Savannah: Maria Zouves

Co-founder and president of the Savannah VOICE Festival reflects on a typical day - and the festival's 10th anniversary, running Aug. 7-21.

Savannah VOICE Festival, Historic Savannah Foundation collaborate for a day of musical learning

“You know, I think many of us probably have memories of history maybe not being the most exciting subject when we were growing up,” says Chad Sonka, new executive director of Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF).

"However, some of our most engaging memories of learning history or any subject were more than likely accompanied by song. We learn our ABCs through music; we learn our fifty states to a jingle. It’s why School of Rock and Veggie Tales were so beloved. It’s why my friends and I memorized the Bill of Rights by putting it to the tune of '12 Days of Christmas' in eighth grade."

Historic Savannah Foundation hosts first Songs and Stories on the Square

The Historic Savannah Foundation hosted its first Songs and Stories on the Square event Sunday in partnership with the Savannah VOICE Festival. At the event, people could hear historical lectures followed by a performance of songs that go with the theme of those lectures. President of the Historic Savannah Foundation, Sue Adler, said she was glad to begin the event in a meaningful location.

What are we Doing? Podcast Ep. 20

Jan 18, 2022 • All of the Savannah happenings Jan. 20-24!

New leadership and events from the Savannah VOICE Festival

The Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) has partnered with leading city arts organizations, including the Historic Savannah Foundation, Davenport House Museum, and the Savannah African Art Museum, for a weekend of artistic collaboration as part of SVF’s upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration.

Milnes VOICE Programs Announce New Leadership

The Milnes VOICE Programs, incorporating the Savannah VOICE Festival and VOICExperience Foundation, has announced an expansion of leadership within the organization.

Savannah VOICE Festival announces late January artistic collaboration in Savannah

Savannah VOICE Festival has partnered with leading arts organizations in the city of Savannah including Historic Savannah Foundation/Davenport House Museum and Savannah African Art Museum for a weekend of artistic collaboration on Jan. 22 and 23.

Maria Zouves on Local Support for the Savannah Voice Festival

Maria Zouves, Executive Director of the Savannah Voice Festival, talks about the support from the community and the impact of their programs.

Devotees come out for finale of Savannah VOICE Festival

"Imagine hearing a variety of music, from opera, musical theater and a little rock 'n' roll staged around iconic Savannah backdrops like the Telfair Academy and Asbury Memorial Church for the first time! With two weeks  of concerts, events and educational presentations in the performing arts, Maria and Sherrill have once again gifted Savannah with world-class talent."

Savannah VOICE Festival Unveils Program For Ninth Season ‘Live’

Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) is unveiling an impressive lineup for the 2021 season as they return Live for the ninth annual Festival which will be staged Aug. 8 – 22, 2021 in and around Savannah, offering a variety of genres of music such as opera, musical theatre and popular song. The live shows will have COVID-19 safety precautions in place and a lower seating capacity with an early and late evening show for most performances, to ensure physical distancing for audiences.

Savannah VOICE Festival turns Deep Center poems into song

"The partnership with Savannah VOICE Festival was such a special opportunity for our young people to explore what other forms their writing could take,” said Ariel Felton, former Block by Block teaching artist and current director of Youth Programs at Deep Center.

Hospice Savannah and Savannah Voice Festival host live jukebox event

“Savannah Voice Festival and Hospice Savannah have an amazing partnership that’s built all around music therapy and the healing power that the human voice can bring to people,” said Maria Zouves, Executive Director of Savannah Voice Festival. “It brings comfort, it brings joy, and it can bring back memories for the patients.”

Maria Zouves on the Savannah Voice Festival and Pivoting due to the Pandemic

Maria Zouves, Executive Director of the Savannah Voice Festival, talks about transitioning to a virtual platform due to the pandemic and how it helped them reach a larger audience.

Thomas Hampson to Receive Milnes VOICE Award

The fundraiser will be hosted by legendary baritone and VOICE Co-Founder, Sherrill Milnes and will take place online to protect the health and safety of singers and patrons. The gala will include special guest appearances by Thomas Hampson, Mark Delavan, Denyce Graves, James Morris, Fabrizio Melano and Frederica von Stade.

Community Champions: Hospice Savannah

Savannah Voice Festival Announces December 2020 Holiday Events

Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) announces a schedule of special holiday performances throughout December. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors and partners, the VOICExperience Foundation and Savannah VOICE Festival produced their first ever online Festival in August and continued the music this fall with “An All Hallow’s Night of Streams.” SVF will close out 2020 with streaming even more spectacular events and performances for the holiday season that are sure to delight the whole family!

'An All Hallow's Night of Streams' Virtual Concert this weekend

The Savannah VOICE Festival presents "An All Hallow's Night of Streams" this weekend.

Savannah VOICE Festival Announces Partnership with WRUU Radio - Launching Sept. 16th

This one-hour broadcast on WRUU’s popular show Music: Local and Sustainable will be the first of six programs celebrating the 2020 Savannah VOICE Festival.  

Savannah VOICE Festival Announces On-Demand Access To Eighth Season

Hot on the heels of its successful 2020 season, the Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) in partnership with the VOICExperience Foundation (VE), has announced a special replay of its season on-demand for its supporters.

SVF announces its eighth season grand finale

Savannah VOICE Festival is slated to conclude its eighth season at 7 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday, Aug. 22 with an exciting grand finale, VOICE Gala—a 20th Anniversary Celebration.

SVF Introduces New VOICE-a-Grams - Virtual Greetings to Support Educational Programs

[The] Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) introduces a brand- new initiative, VOICE-a-Grams, a virtual greeting card for people to send to their loved ones. These personalized musical greetings are crafted by Savannah VOICE Festival singers with a special message by the Maestro, Sherrill Milnes. All proceeds raised from this initiative will benefit SVF’s educational and outreach programs. 

Savannah VOICE Festival Goes Virtual

The Savannah Voice Festival will be completely virtual this year, but organizers promise to keep providing entertaining shows as well as some special guests.

Savannah VOICE Festival Teams with City on New Program as 2020 Edition Goes Online

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the uncertainty for live events for the foreseeable future, the Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) will be moving to a completely online format for the 2020 edition of the festival while also continuing a partnership with the city of Savannah and Mayor Van Johnson, according to a press release from the organization.

Virtually Live from Savannah VOICE Festival - Savannah CEO

The new ‘Virtually Live’ series will launch in early May 2020 and will take the place of the previously scheduled Prelude series, which begins the launch of the 8^th annual Savannah VOICE Festival scheduled from August 1-23. SVF is currently planning for the 2020 festival to take place this August, with season plan announcements to be made and tickets to go on sale in June. However, the organization will continue to assess and respond appropriately in line with public health recommendations as the current situation evolves.

Savannah Voice Festival To Present Third In Davenport House Concert Series And Fundraiser For Hospice Savannah

Savannah Voice Festival in partnership with the Davenport House Museum  is set to present the third in a series of four parlor concerts and free community lectures, in celebration of Savannah's Music Through the Ages. During this week of music, Savannah VOICE Festival will also host a Music Therapy fundraiser at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at the Demere Center for Living, 6000 Business Center Dr. Proceeds will directly benefit Hospice Savannah in support of music therapy and its collaboration with the Savannah VOICE Festival.

Savannah VOICE Festival and Davenport House Museum Series Continues December 9th & 16th

Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) and the Davenport House Museum (DHM) continue their collaboration with the second in the series of Savannah’s Music Through the Ages.

Savannah Voice Festival ‘Returns To Earth’ With Season’s Final Concert And Gala Dinner

After 34 events and a dozen outreaches over 22 days, featuring 135 artists from 12 countries, the Savannah VOICE Festival is slated to wrap up its successful seventh season. Themed “Heaven and Earth,” the 2019 Festival will return to earth with its finale concert and with Festival Gala Dinner” at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Plantation Club at the Landings, located at 1 Cottonwood Lane.

Bunny In The City: Savannah VOICE Festival’s ‘Forever Plaid’ at The Plantation Club

Once again, world famous opera superstar couple Sherrill Milnes and Maria Zouves are presenting the annual Savannah VOICE Festival. The event is spread out over 22 days with 135 singers from 12 countries performing 34 concerts. Their first festival event, “Forever Plaid,” was presented at The Plantation Club at the Landings.  

Saturday Q&A, Maria Zouves: Inspiring Savannah through voice

The following is an excerpt from the latest “Difference Makers” podcast interview with the Savannah Voice Festival’s Maria Zouves, who founded the event along with her husband, opera legend Sherrill Milnes.

Composer Michael Ching brings originality to Savannah VOICE Festival

Celebrated composer Michael Ching is Savannah VOICE Festival’s composer-in-residence, bringing originality and unique compositions to the festival’s operatic programming and beyond. At this year’s festival, running from now until August 25, he’ll be performing an original short called "The Birthday Clown" alongside the legendary opera "I Pagliacci."

LISTEN: Difference Makers, Savannah Voice Festival’s Maria Zouves

The Savannah Voice Festival enters its seventh season, staging four "Heaven and Earth" themed operas

Executive Director Maria Zouves and Artistic Director Sherrill Milnes talk about the Savannah VOICE Festival entering its seventh season, staging four "Heaven and Earth" themed operas.

WATCH: Savannah VOICE Festival previews 1950s time capsule show, ‘Forever Plaid’

The Savannah VOICE Festival’s first-ever Broadway show, Forever Plaid – a lively revue based on the close-harmony “guy groups,” extremely popular during the 1950s – depicts the tale of a quartet of high-school chums whose dream of recording fame ends in a fatal collision on the way to the Beatles American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. The musical revue begins as The Plaids return from the afterlife for one final chance at musical glory. The show’s stellar cast includes festival artists Sean Christensen, Peter Lake, Nicholas Yaquinto and Scott Russell and is directed by Ashlie Timberlake, with musical direction by Justin Havard.

Savannah VOICE Festival wants to move ‘Heaven and Earth’

THIS YEAR'S Savannah VOICE Festival season, which starts August 3, promises a diverse and exciting offering of opera, musical theater, and pop. This year’s unique season is titled ‘Heaven and Earth,’ and celebrates “the two realms in which we live, with shows about what’s beyond our physical nature as well as the earthly temptations of our humanity,” according to a press release.

Editorial: Savannah VOICE festival makes sweet music

The sweet sounds of music fill Savannah’s cityscape throughout much of the summer — and August is an especially sonorous month. These are the closing days of the month-long Savannah VOICE Festival’s seventh season. The event brings more than 100 artists and 30 events showcasing opera, musical theater and song to our city.

Savannah Music Festival Partners with Savannah VOICE Festival

Savannah Music Festival artistic director, Ryan McMaken, and Toby Hollenberg, co-chair of the Savannah Voice Festival board talk about two shows scheduled for the weekend of April 6, 2019.

Savannah VOICE Festival Spring Events on Mid-Morning Live

Maria and Sherrill sit down with Mid-Morning Live to talk about SVF's spring concerts.

Savannah VOICE Festival Returns For Spring Concerts

The Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) will celebrate the beauty of the changing seasons with fabulous Spring events. On March 11, SVF returns to the Davenport House Museum (DHM) for the third in its series of seasonal events. This concert will showcase VOICE artists in concert...

Savannah VOICE Festival Holiday Events

Festival Board Co-Chair Toby Hollenberg sat down with Davenport House Museum Director Jamie Credle and La Scala Ristorante Owner Jeffrey Downey to discuss the two events planned for December at their respective establishments to benefit the Savannah VOICE Festival.

Savannah VOICE Festival unveils 2019 Festival Highlights

The 2018 Savanah VOICE Festival capped off its expanded and highly successful sixth season with a spectacular Grand Finale Concert and delicious Festival Gala Dinner, sponsored by Naomi and Barry R. Cohen, at The Landings Plantation Club on Sunday, Aug. 26. The 2018 festival – themed “Stories Great and Small” — concluded by entertaining guests with highlights from three weeks of sharing beautiful stories through operas, musical theater and song...

Savannah VOICE Festival launches Savannah Opera Company

Executive Director Maria Zouves sits down with Marco Nisticò on WTOC's Mid-Morning Live to discuss the launch of the Savannah Opera company and Marco's guest recital.

Newsmakers: Savannah VOICE Festival names Board of Directors

The Savannah VOICE Festival has named the Board of Directors for the 2018-19 season. Co-chair Toby Hollenberg, community volunteer; Co-chair Barry Cohen, president of Cohen Partners LLC; Carolyn Donovan, community volunteer; Arlene Ratner, former business owner, community volunteer; Bernard Dobroski, former Dean of the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music; Helen Downing, community volunteer; T. Mills Fleming, attorney and chair of Hunter Maclean’s health care practice group; Wes Krulic, retired pharmacist; and Dr. Michael Zoller, chair of Otology, Center of Otolaryngology at St. Joseph’s Candler Hospital...

New Savannah Opera Company Debuts

As the Savannah VOICE Festival approaches its sixth season, the organization announces the launch of The Savannah Opera Company as a new brand in the Milnes VOICE Programs. This new brand will be a growing part of the two non-profit organizations that have been producing classical vocal music in Savannah, through the Savannah VOICE Festival and the VOICExperience Foundation.  As a new entity, the Savannah Opera Company will continue the work of the SVF in staging high quality productions in the Hostess City. This year’s season includes four operas that support the SVF 2018 theme, “Stories Great and Small". They range from classic tragedy to contemporary comedies: Verdi’s La Traviata, Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel, Menotti’s The Telephone and SVF’s own composer-in-residence, Michael Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight...