Tsar power Tsar power

Zany gags keep Zar und Zimmermann zipping along at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

Unequal tooning Unequal tooning

There is sensory overload, and very little humanity.

Strange magic Strange magic

We’ve had a mini-fest of director Barrie Kosky’s work this year at LA Opera.

Out there in the dark Out there in the dark

The revival of Mozart’s The Magic Flute at the Music Center downtown, last seen at LA Opera in 2013, is reason for jubilation for everyone except perhaps the singers engaged.