Big man in town Big man in town

A strong revival of Falstaff at the Los Angeles Opera proves a fitting farewell vehicle for Music Director James Conlon.

Pearl Jam Pearl Jam

Washington Concert Opera returned to its roots with a delightful performance of Georges Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de perles.

León in winter León in winter

Ahead of his performance in Les pêcheurs de perles with Washington Concert Opera, Parterre Box features the unusually elegant Anthony León performing Mozart.

<em>The Women</em> are like that <em>The Women</em> are like that

A stylish and funny Così fan tutte at LA Opera is a pretty glam affair, according to Patrick Mack.

Tucker and roll Tucker and roll

The Richard Tucker Foundation Gala has always been a big annual celebration of the voice with an emphasis on big-voiced singers in big repertoire (not much Wagner usually, though…). Like so many reliable operatic institutions it has struggled for survival after the pandemic.

Seria processing Seria processing

You probably won’t leave Idomeneo ready to burst out in song, but what the opera lacks in melodic immediacy it makes up for in sheer virtuosity.

Silver minings playbook Silver minings playbook

Some operas carry around the shadow of their most famous interpreters more than others.

Flores para los muertos Flores para los muertos

Despite this being the first full-length opera for Gabriela Lena Frank, there’s no lack of experience across the creative team which, along with favorable reviews for the production, contributed to high levels of anticipation.

They’re projecting They’re projecting

I love it, truly, just not that much.

Candid theatricality Candid theatricality

Out of sheer morbid curiosity last evening I pulled up the “orders” page of my Amazon account and searched Otello to discover that over the past 11 years. I’ve ordered 15 items with that title (one as recently as last night!)

Artists with enough ‘oomph’? Artists with enough ‘oomph’?

At all of these vocal contests, including this one, I find myself fascinated and perplexed by the same question: What exactly are the judges looking for?

Better off dead Better off dead

I have a horrible confession. I’ve always judged the quality of an opera largely on the number of dead characters at the finale.

No heather on the hill: ‘Lucia’ in LA No heather on the hill: ‘Lucia’ in LA

LA Opera sent out an email warning that the production “contains depictions of blood, violence, and drug use, as well as strobe lights and a gunshot effect in Act III.”