The kids are alright The kids are alright

Though, really, the young artists of the Merola Opera Program were more than alright in their annual showcase.

Da capo days of summer Da capo days of summer

San Francisco goes baroque with performances of Handel‘s AlcinaTolomeo, and Rinaldo.

Life’s a Blitch Life’s a Blitch

Shakespeare Opera Theatre presented two American operas exploring themes of hypocrisy and deception — in a church!

Hit me with your best shot Hit me with your best shot

Dmitri Tcherniakov‘s production of Der Freischütz in Munich may fire a few blanks, but the musicians are all on target.

Because I’m not one of your FANS! Because I’m not one of your FANS!

Just in time for this month’s theme of filth or dementia, a review of Terrence McNally‘s Master Class from Central City Opera.

A barrel of laughs A barrel of laughs

Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer‘s bubbly The Judgement of Paris brings a distinctly Californian terroir to operatic comedy.

Tabor-ing under no illusions Tabor-ing under no illusions

A grandly sung revival of The Ballad of Baby Doe at Central City Opera mines poignance from America’s past and present.

Ma queer immortelle Ma queer immortelle

San Francisco Opera hosts an exuberant tribute to queerness past and present.

Rubber soul Rubber soul

Video Artists International brings us back to a time when opera was carried over the airwaves by great voices—and a tire company.

Anna Caterina Antonacci should have made it to the Met Anna Caterina Antonacci should have made it to the Met

The one who got away was Anna Caterina Antonacci, a thrilling performer.

Sister, sister, oh so fair Sister, sister, oh so fair

Conductor Eun Sun Kim and soprano Elza van der Heever play to their strengths in a piercing revival of Elektra at San Francisco Opera.

Nun the wiser Nun the wiser

Matthew Travisano has such doubts about Douglas Cuomo‘s opera recently seen at Opera Parallèle.

Rosina in bloom Rosina in bloom

Maria Kataeva makes a promising US debut in an otherwise uneven revival of Il Barbiere di Siviglia in San Francisco.

A favorite Verdi performance from Astyanax A favorite Verdi performance from Astyanax

The air held a real charge that night in SF’s War Memorial Opera House.

A favorite Verdi performance from Tildy Diva A favorite Verdi performance from Tildy Diva

A well-known Met Aïda with a starry cast from 1967 is TildyDiva’s Favorite Verdi Performance

Clipped wings Clipped wings

Madama Butterfly at Opera Colorado plays it safe — and never fully takes flight.

Hustle your bustle Hustle your bustle

Opera San José‘s La Traviata has all the buzz and energy of a world premiere.

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.

Music to heal the hurt Music to heal the hurt

Ten years since the death of countertenor Brian Asawa, Charles Stanton remembers his friend and corrects the record on his untimely passing.

Bach to Bach Bach to Bach

An invigorating double bill at the San Francisco Symphony challenges how Bach “should” be performed.

Anime sante degli avi Anime sante degli avi

Madama Butterfly confronts anime, virtual reality, and weeaboos in Matthew Ozawa‘s bold production at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Road shows Road shows

Brendan Latimer hitches a ride with members of the “site-responsive opera” movement who are taking their shows out of the opera house — and out of the box.

Death becomes her and him Death becomes her and him

El último sueño de Frida y Diego at the Lyric Opera of Chicago is a visual and sonic wonder, but a weak libretto dampens its effect.

By spirit alone By spirit alone

A sublime Reginald Mobley and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra are a balm for troubled times in a program of baroque selections and spirituals.