Sister tract
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz is perfect figure for an opera; known, but not known enough, especially in English-speaking countries, with a life that involved plenty of love, poetry and tragedy.
dell’arte opera
Three sisters who are not sisters
Dell’ Arte Opera Ensemble’s “Scenes from the Tower” evening is devoted to three operas composed by women, and the metaphorical tower is women’s sequestration from the opera stage.
Hamstrung by Maeterlinck
Whitney George’s music falls pleasingly upon the ear and is wittily scored for a small ensemble conducted by herself.
The Isle is full of noises
Dell’ Arte Opera Ensemble theme this summer is women composers, which is timely, and the more to be applauded as likely to turn up unusual works.
Cipher space
Salieri’s La Cifra (“The Cipher”) played all over Europe for 20 years, in several translations (German, Spanish). Then, like many a worthy work, it was forgotten.
Bridging the gap
On Saturday night, dell’ arte Opera Ensemble presented a lean performance of La Traviata.
Cherubino jumps the shark
Homer, inspired by many a muse, sang not of sequels to his Iliad.
Shave and a haircut
It’s fun to wonder what might have happened if Rossini had never composed Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Would Giovanni Paisiello’s earlier adaptation of the work be a repertory favorite? Or would it have faded into obscurity with an occasional revival here and there?
Great shakes
The little opera companies of New York are like chanterelles.
One charming afternoon
In recent years the enterprising Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble has brightened the usually arid weeks of August in New York City with some worthy operatic showcases for young singers.
All the world loves a crown
Seventeenth century opera remains the true connoisseur’s delight partly because it’s so rarely done.
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).