Performance Reviews

Reviews of operatic, vocal, and classical performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, all across America, and around the world.

Capital punishment Capital punishment

A patchy production and musical performance can’t dull the edge of Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny at the Komische Oper Berlin

Saint-Ex marks the spot Saint-Ex marks the spot

Washington National Opera’s holiday presentation of The Little Prince, based on the classic French novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, showcased the company’s Cafritz Young Artists

I listen to the wind of my soul I listen to the wind of my soul

Washington Concert Opera began its 39th season last month with Christoph Willibald Gluck’s late masterpiece Iphigénie en Tauride.

When Pushkin comes to shove When Pushkin comes to shove

An incoherent production of Ruslan and Lyudmila at the Hamburg State Opera may dispense with the fantastical, but Glinka‘s magic remains.

Old friends, new friends Old friends, new friends

Les Arts Florissants present two ravishing programs in Brooklyn and Manhattan. 

Now I’m an old believer Now I’m an old believer

Big voices overwhelm Claus Guth‘s toothless staging of Khovanshchina at the Berlin Staatsoper.

Sublime loneliness Sublime loneliness

Across three evenings at the 92nd Street Y, Konstantin Krimmel and Ammiel Bushakevitz traversed all of Schubert‘s major song cycles with stark intensity.

Follow your bliss Follow your bliss

In recital for the Los Angeles Opera, tenor Ben Bliss makes the case for the next stage of his career.

<i>Carmen</i>, again? <i>Carmen</i>, again?

Gulfshore Opera’s vigorous production of Carmen answers a familiar question.

All the fine young cannibals All the fine young cannibals

Offenbach‘s Robinson Crusoé is salvaged from obscurity. 

Mezzo in the dark Mezzo in the dark

It is a physical pleasure to hear Kate Lindsey at close quarters.

Scenes from a revolution Scenes from a revolution

This isn’t an opera that touches on queer themes; it’s a bundle of queer themes tied up in an opera.”

Form over function Form over function

A consideration of Anika Kildegaard’s extraordinary recital in Philadelphia—and the oddity of recitals themselves. 

Paris is always a good idea Paris is always a good idea

Though perhaps showing its age, a storied production of La bohème nonetheless makes a welcome return to the Los Angeles Opera

Get in the zone Get in the zone

Tamara Wilson and Stanislas de Barbeyrac are the standouts in Calixto Bieito’s underwhelming Die Walküre in Paris

Shades of gray Shades of gray

MasterVoices presents a strongly-cast Sweet Smell of Success—but the merits of this noir musical are hardly black or white. 

Big time sensuality Big time sensuality

Barbara Strozzi links two sensuous programs by L’Arpeggiata and Catapult Opera. 

To be a poet is a condition To be a poet is a condition

Are today’s stars enough to sustain Andrea Chénier?

Monkey business Monkey business

The Monkey King at San Francisco Opera combines spectacle and sentiment.

Hear, O Israel Hear, O Israel

As Messiah season begins, Christopher Corwin reports on two of Handel’s forays into the Old Testament.

I’m getting married in the morning I’m getting married in the morning

Washington National Opera presented a well-sung and humorous Marriage of Figaro, buoyed by clever direction and a strong cast, particularly Rosa Feola’s Countess and Joélle Harvey’s Susanna.

Medieval Times Medieval Times

Carl Orff’s cantata tries its fortunes at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

La fiamma è bella! La fiamma è bella!

A new recording of La fiamma from Deutsche Oper Berlin sets Respighi’s score ablaze.

Celebrate good times Celebrate good times

Austin Opera’s 40th anniversary gala celebrated the present while gesturing boldly towards the future.