Mannes School of Music

This Juneteenth, we look back on Land of the free, Home of the Brave: A Celebration of Black History. We reflect on the stories, resilience, creativity, and contributions of Black communities that continue to shape our shared future.

Revisit this unforgettable night on YouTube.

The Music Critics Association of North America bestowed its Ninth Annual Award for BEST NEW OPERA to Composer/Librettist SARAH KIRKLAND SNIDER for HILDEGARD

Mannes Opera was honored to present the workshop performance of Hildegard in May 2025, a collaboration with Mannes Opera, Mannes Orchestra & Beth Morrison Projects.

Mannes‘s composition Chair, David T. Little , won the same award in 2025 for What Belongs to You.

Congratulations to Sarah and all of the composers and makers who are giving new and beautiful life to this beloved art form.

Photo credits: Maria Baranova.
Photo 1: Nola Richardson as Hildegard in the premiere of Hildegard.
Photo 2: Mikaela Bennett, Blythe Gaissert, Chloë Engel, and Raha Mirzadegan in a scene from the premiere of Hildegard.

We are delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed bass Harold Wilson to the Voice Faculty at Mannes School of Music.

Praised by The New York Times as “a stentorian bass...with impressive focus, carrying power and quiet charisma,” Wilson brings exceptional artistry, extensive international experience, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of singers.

His career spans leading opera houses worldwide, including Berlin, Barcelona, Basel, Toulouse, and New York. He spent five seasons with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, appearing in more than thirty productions, and in the upcoming season will perform in his thirtieth production with the Metropolitan Opera.

We are proud to welcome him to our Voice and Opera faculty community.

Mannes mourns the loss of Carl Schachter — beloved teacher, scholar, mentor, and one of the defining voices in music theory.

Considered by many to be one of the most important music theorists of our time, Carl started at Mannes as a student (around the same time as Bill Evans and Burt Bacharach), and went on to be a faculty member, dean, mentor and teacher to so many, including Richard Goode, Frederica von Stade, Semyon Bychkov, Murray Perahia, Myung-Whun Chung, and Michael Reisman. His influence shaped Mannes and extended around the world, leaving an enduring impact on countless artists.

Rest in Peace, Carl Schachter. 
Please enjoy this video of Carl from the Mannes Centennial in 2016. Watch via the link in bio.

A special afternoon with legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.

Mannes Opera students had the opportunity to learn from one of the most celebrated artists of our time. From her early years at Mannes School of Music to an international career on some of the world’s greatest stages, she brought so much generosity into the room.

Thank you to Ms. von Stade, and to our students for the thoughtful, engaged work they shared.

Last night marked the grand finale of this season’s Mannes Sounds Festival. See photos from this unforgettable night.

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Professor Ann Schein.

A cherished member of our piano faculty, she was an extraordinary artist and a dedicated teacher whose generosity and musicianship shaped generations of students at Mannes and beyond.

We hold her family, loved ones, and students in our thoughts during this time. She will be deeply missed by our entire community.

(Un)Silent Film presents the 1927 classic Sunrise, directed by F.W. Murnau, with a modern score by Joe Kraemer, composer of film scores for The Way of the Gun, Jack Reacher, and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.

Friday, April 24, at 7:30 PM, Tishman Auditorium. RSVP now—seats are limited!