Which side story? Which side story?

Vivacious performances outweigh a host of odd directorial choices in the Washington National Opera‘s
West Side Story

Which witch? Which witch?

Washington National Opera offered a searing production of Robert Ward’s opera The Crucible, directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, as the second installment in the company’s next chapter.

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.

Tag team Tag team

The women were the highlights of Washington National Opera’s militaristic Aïda

All about her father All about her father

Adela Zaharia and Amartuvshin Enkhbat shine brightly in San Francisco Opera’s opening night Rigoletto.

Summertime lovin’ Summertime lovin’

An impressively well-rounded revival of Francesca Zambello‘s production of Porgy and Bess concludes the Washington National Opera season

Midwest Side Story Midwest Side Story

Lyric Opera of Chicago has brought back its wildly successful 2019 production of West Side Story, directed by Francesca Zambello.  I thought it was terrific back then and, even with numerous cast changes, it was just as terrific on Sunday afternoon.

Last dance Last dance

If it is true that there are few respectable ways for people over 40 without small children to celebrate Halloween, a performance of Richard Strauss’ pioneering horror opera Elektra belongs on the short list.

The river of dreams The river of dreams

The opera utilizes the idea of “magical realism,” telling a realistic story combined with elements of magic and fantasy.

The Wurm turns The Wurm turns

Luisa Miller snowballs toward disaster and death.

Lakeside story Lakeside story

In our current political climate with issues of immigration, tribalism, and white nationalists, the 1957 musical West Side Story has a distinctly contemporary feel.

Babylon revisited Babylon revisited

What if you could time travel back to the first run of Giuseppe Verdi’s first great success Nabucco?

Celeste graffiti Celeste graffiti

Aida certainly has its longueurs.

After the fall After the fall

Washington National Opera offered a shellshocked D.C. some much-needed diversion Saturday night, with a new production of La Fille du Regiment.

Crazy stupid love Crazy stupid love

Well, that didn’t last long.

A choice, not an ecosystem A choice, not an ecosystem

Washington National Opera’s first Ring Cycle came to a bittersweet conclusion this past Sunday, closing the door on an extraordinary three weeks in the opera house and a remarkable musical and theatrical achievement for the company.

Burden of gilt Burden of gilt

Happily, this Rheingold, which returned to the Kennedy Center Saturday night to open the first of three complete cycles, has been shorn of its clumsier gestures.

Rolling along Rolling along

You might be surprised, though, when that title turns out to be Show Boat.