Reviews

Diplomatic immunity Diplomatic immunity

Émigré, unfortunately, fails to do justice, either musically or theatrically, to this group of refugees or to the Shanghainese who took them in.

Have a napkin, have a chopstick, have a chair Have a napkin, have a chopstick, have a chair

From a musical perspective, the evening came together admirably. As a work of theater, though, it was as stale as last week’s takeout.

Divine mother Divine mother

What does it mean to be a “gender transcendent diva?”

Sack of Rome Sack of Rome

Finding Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia on the Academy of Vocal Arts calendar was both a pleasure and something of a surprise—the latter because the work is far from central repertoire, even in a conservatory.

Destiny’s child Destiny’s child

While you may need to bring along your Dramamine, the Met’s new production of La forza del destino, does—eventually—spin fast enough to achieve escape velocity.

Small but mighty Small but mighty

One of the first things James Conlon did when he took over the reins as Music Director of LA Opera was create the “Recovered Voices” project, producing operas that had been suppressed by the Nazis.

Katya, later Katya, later

Leos Janácek’s rise to international prominence as a Titan of music was dovetailed by a cluster of profoundly original operas that were written during his extraordinary autumnal years.

Private tudoring Private tudoring

Anna Bolena is one of the many works by Donizetti which, after their modern recovery in the second part of the last century, have both never fully left the stage while simultaneously never becoming a repertoire staple Lucia di Lammermoor or L’elisir d’amore.

London calling London calling

I watched the finals for this year’s George and Nora London Foundation competition and would like to offer, if not a traditional review, a brief roundup of who I found exceptionally watchable and whom I think you, dear parterre boxers, should watch out for in the next few years.

Ceaseless mugging Ceaseless mugging

The phrase “immersive Coffee Cantata experience” evokes being dipped into a giant, boiling vat of java.

Being beauteous Being beauteous

With its sumptuous wood paneling, frescoed ceilings, and various Gilded Age trappings, the Park Avenue Armory’sBoard of Officers Room certainly is not a bad place to spend Valentine’s Day—even better when it plays host to equally sumptuous music-making.

Park and “Bark” Park and “Bark”

Taylor Mac isn’t known for being short-winded.

A three-hour tour A three-hour tour

We may all be armchair Handelians, but some of us are more used to it than others.

Opening doors Opening doors

Real estate is hot along the Acela corridor right now: as proof, Judith will have toured at least three castles in New York and Boston between this spring and last.

Don’t you forget about me Don’t you forget about me

It seemed like such a great idea on paper.

If you remember, then follow If you remember, then follow

How many hours of our lives are spent looking back?

Boxer briefs Boxer briefs

I had some trepidation about attending Terence Blanchard’s opera Champion because the “sport” of boxing has never appealed to me.

Repent for the time is at hand Repent for the time is at hand

Traditional Christianity has always used the threat of dying unabsolved and going to Hell as a tool to get us not only to accept Jesus but also obey the dictates of the Church. Last week in New York, two classical works touched on the theme of repentance and absolution.

Guardian of the temple Guardian of the temple

And what a sonically fascinating and vibrant Atys it is!

Singing for herself and the boys in the band Singing for herself and the boys in the band

Boston Symphony Orchestra recently confirmed an infinitely renewable contract upon Andris Nelsons, its music director since 2014. To understand why, one needed little more evidence than the outfit’s recent visit to Carnegie Hall.

Roman eye Roman eye

The newest Italian production of L’incoronazione di Poppea was a splendid example of how a 17th century opera can be performed in the best possible way today

That with music loud and long That with music loud and long

The flashing eyes, the floating hair, and the inexplicable barefootnedness during the second half of Saturday night’s performance confirmed one thing: Kristine Opolais is back.

On the steps of the palace On the steps of the palace

Anyone arriving at Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola) expecting the Disney-fied version of the story will be in for a surprise.

Let the children come to me Let the children come to me

It says something about Boston’s opera scene that one of the most consistently ambitious events of the opera season is a one-off performance played by the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras.