Summertime lovin’
An impressively well-rounded revival of Francesca Zambello‘s production of Porgy and Bess concludes the Washington National Opera season
Brittany Renee
11 pieces since 2021 — in 9 roles, at 4 companies, most often at Metropolitan Opera.
11
pieces
9
roles
4
companies
6
years
By role
Role Bess
Role Countess Ceprano
Romantic hero
The main reason to see this revival is Benjamin Bernheim’s Duca.
Role Esther
It’s raining Mennonites
The music was at every point dramatically compelling, without seeming cheap or manipulative.
Role Evelyn
Playing with ‘Fire’
With composer Terence Blanchard and librettist Kasi Lemmons‘ incendiary Fire Shut Up in My Bones, the Met makes long overdue history and Will Liverman ascends to superstardom.
Role Gianetta
‘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.
Role Greta/Destiny/Loneliness
Blow the house down
Hailed as the first opera by an African-American composer performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones was a huge audience and box office hit in the Fall of 2021 when it reopened the Met after two seasons shut down by COVID-19.
Role Julie
Scholarly pursuits
“What would you do if the world you knew was suddenly gone and you were thrown into the deepest abyss stripped of all humanity? Would you fight to remember who you were?”
Role Musetta
The sweet escape?
A plodding La bohème in San Francisco never quite takes off
Role Sister Rose
Act of contrition
The 25th anniversary revival of Dead Man Walking at San Francisco Opera is most moving in its quietest moments
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).