Fractured féerie tales Fractured féerie tales

Félix Fourdrain‘s “féerie” Les Contes de Perrault by the Frivolités Parisiennes is as fun for adults as it is for children

Another op’nin’, another show Another op’nin’, another show

Opera San José (OSJ) is continuing the second half of its 41st season with a company premiere of Béla Bartók’s Symbolist opera Bluebeard’s Castle (A kékszakállú herceg vára), with a libretto by his friend and poet Béla Balázs, and OSJ truly spared no effort to make the occasion a memorable one.

That indescribable feeling That indescribable feeling

Alma Deutscher’s quest for beautiful music permeates the score of her Cinderella from the hushed opening of the Overture.

After midnight After midnight

The Met’s Cinderella is a charming adaptation of Massenet’s opera. Frothy, fun, and enchanting, it is a magical holiday treat for the whole family to enjoy.

Skeleton key Skeleton key

Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle both use themes of vision and revelation to ask compelling questions about knowledge, responsibility, and gender. 

I want magic I want magic

Why, only now, Cendrillon is having its premiere at the Met is a puzzling question.

Inappropriately touching Inappropriately touching

“Operatic” generally refers to sung drama, but there is another meaning of that term: grandiose, outsize, hysterical.

Round midnight Round midnight

As a child I had but a few criteria that were necessary to ensure a happy entertainment. These included mostly ball-gowns, fairy godmothers and Julie Andrews, though Sally Ann Howes was acceptable in a pinch.