Eli Jacobson


Old school and better for it Old school and better for it

As far as I know, Juan Diego Flórez last appeared in New York City (not totally to his advantage) as Alfredo in the Met’s garish new production of La Traviata back in December 2018, nearly five years ago.

on December 01, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Before we croak Before we croak

AristophanesThe Frogs is a comedy with a lump in its throat – laughter coming from tears.

on November 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Keeper of the dumpster fire Keeper of the dumpster fire

To get right to the point, the performance did not come together despite some good elements and was a major missed opportunity.

on November 02, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Cuck and ball torture Cuck and ball torture

On October 20th, a wet but warmish Friday night, the Metropolitan Opera opened this season’s revival of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera in David Alden’s 2012 production.

on October 23, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Tremens factus sum ego Tremens factus sum ego

One got a sense that the Met and the maestro directed most of the rehearsal and preparation toward the opening night premiere of the Heggie opus

on September 29, 2023 at 2:09 PM
The king of queens The king of queens

In the case of this summer’s resuscitation project at the Bard Summerscape Festival, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Henri VIII , it was quite evident that this is a dramatically sound work with consistently well-crafted, theatrically vital and attractive music that provides at least three roles for gifted singing actors.

on July 25, 2023 at 4:14 PM
It takes a fairy to make something pretty It takes a fairy to make something pretty

Teatro Nuovo took a spirited journey of rediscovery into the valley of forgotten operas and resurrected Federico and Luigi Ricci’s 1850 opera buffa Crispino e la Comare last Thursday at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

on July 24, 2023 at 3:50 PM
It’s hard to be a saint in the city It’s hard to be a saint in the city

It was thrilling to see and hear Will Crutchfield’s insights come to life onstage in performance when Teatro Nuovo performed Poliuto at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center Wednesday July 19.

on July 23, 2023 at 9:00 AM
A summer of solace A summer of solace

From Christian martyrs to naughty fairies, Teatro Nuovo will explore the tragic and comic sides of 19th century Italian Opera.

on July 15, 2023 at 10:03 AM
“Blame it on the summer knight” “Blame it on the summer knight”

On June 20, a rather breezy, pleasant cool summer evening, the soprano Gabriella Reyes, tenor René Barbera and baritone Will Liverman took over the Summerstage space with a wide-ranging, ambitious recital program with Dimitri Dover tickling the ivories.

on June 22, 2023 at 4:47 PM
Pretty poison Pretty poison

The wicked poisoner showed herself in fine form, full of purple passion and lusty music-making that would gladden the heart of any bel canto enthusiast or opera lover in general. 

on May 27, 2023 at 2:34 PM
A farewell to Frisell A farewell to Frisell

Old opera productions at the end of their performing life can be sad affairs. 

on May 02, 2023 at 11:28 AM
I’ll plant my own tree I’ll plant my own tree

Richard Strauss’ “Bucolic Tragedy in One Act” Daphne is one of his most beautiful and most frustrating works. 

on March 27, 2023 at 2:02 PM
Touched by a fallen Angel Touched by a fallen Angel

Angel Blue‘s refulgent, lush soprano blooms as Violetta’s vocal lines broaden and soar.

on March 10, 2023 at 1:34 PM
‘Elisir’ not quite ‘rara qualita’ ‘Elisir’ not quite ‘rara qualita’

On paper, the Met’s revival of L’elisir d’amore looked like a lovely evening.  And at times it was—a few scenes hinted at what it could be and what it might yet become.

on January 13, 2023 at 9:00 AM
A jewel, despite the setting A jewel, despite the setting

The first time I heard of Ermonela Jaho it was as the ultimate understudy.  In the aughts it seemed that every time Angela Gheorghiu or Anna Netrebko or whoever canceled, Jaho was standing by.

on January 08, 2023 at 8:08 AM
A star is porn A star is porn

Show business fables often involve an ambitious, if naïve, ingenue (male or female) desperate for fame.  This young wannabe finds fame and fortune: but it comes at a cost.

on November 25, 2022 at 12:17 PM
Back to the future Back to the future

After putting a hiatus on their awards in 2020 and 2021 (for reasons that are all too well-known to all of us), the Richard Tucker Foundation Gala returned on Sunday evening November 13 honoring soprano Angel Blue the 2022 Award winner.

on November 15, 2022 at 12:03 PM
We’ll always have Paris (or maybe not) We’ll always have Paris (or maybe not)

The revival of Don Carlo(s) which opened on November 3 restored the translated Italian text and the cut 1882 four-act revision not seen at the Met since Rudolf Bing’s last season in 1972.

on November 05, 2022 at 9:00 AM
He plays the violin He plays the violin

The pandemic had different effects on different people. 

on October 31, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Leaner, meaner and tighter Leaner, meaner and tighter

Why did Ted Sperling and MasterVoices choose to perform an old warhorse like Carmen which has been produced almost continuously over decades just up the street at Lincoln Center?

on October 26, 2022 at 3:03 PM
The prodigal The prodigal

Philippe Jaroussky mentioned introducing his encores that he has not appeared in New York in 12 years.

on October 24, 2022 at 11:58 AM
How do you solve a problem like ‘Medea’? How do you solve a problem like ‘Medea’?

Sondra Radvanovsky has an unconventional voice that is suited to unconventional characters and is best used in rangy, difficult music.  The lack of lush beauty was no deficit in depicting Medea’s jealousy and vengeful rage.

on September 28, 2022 at 3:50 PM
NYCO, out(doors) and proud NYCO, out(doors) and proud

The New York City Opera has become an elusive “now you see it, now you don’t” presence in the New York opera scene since the departure of main sponsor and chairman of the board Roy G. Niederhoffer in 2019.

on September 10, 2022 at 10:58 AM
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