Girl power
Washington National Opera’s lukewarm Alcina, unthreateningly misguided in both its musical and theatrical values, made little impact.
Review
Puppet show
Madama Butterfly remains fascinating because of its complexity.
Wow factor
The second installment of Lyric’s Ring Cycle proved an evening of glorious singing, moving drama, great conducting and orchestral playing.
Murder, he composed
Flashes of excitement and genuine pathos lit up City Opera’s production of Dolores Claiborne!
Leah and the barihunk
At yesterday’s recital at the Morgan Library, Leah Crocetto sang as her encore Kern and Hammerstein’s “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.”
Untouched by an ‘Angel’
Just because one can write an opera based on a film, does this necessarily indicate that one should?
C’est une chanson qui nous ressemble
In September, Finnish National Opera gave the world premiere of Höstsonaten (Autumn Sonata), based on Mr. Bergman’s 1978 study of a troubled mother/daughter relationship.
Reason to believe
I was extraordinarily happy Monday evening to encounter Angel Blue and Russell Thomas as Mimi and Rodolfo.
Crepuscolo
“It’s not easy being green”: especially if you’re the two greatest Italian opera composers.
The piccolo on the hearth
Riccardo Zandoni’s Il Grillo del Focolare is an opera after all.
Eternal, feminine
For her first CD in six years, Angela Gheorghiu has chosen Italian repertoire.
Girlhood, interrupted
Erin Wall was an elegant, warm, and sensitive Arabella.
White people problems
How on Earth will these fictitious luminaries of turn-of-the-century Swedish society keep their clothes clean?
Turandon’t
From the perspective of current identity politics, Puccini’s Turandot is a disaster of epic proportions.
‘Wunder’ of wonders
Opera Vlaanderen opened its 2017-18 season with a rare staging of Korngold’s Das Wunder der Heliane.
I love you to death
New York fans of 17th century Italian vocal music should be rejoicing this month.
Diver gent
Georges Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles has been knocking steadily at the door of the standard repertoire now in this country for quite some time.
Plus a little jest
Verdi’s Rigoletto returned to Lyric Opera of Chicago, a rousing performance both musically and dramatically.
Sgombra è la sacra megaplex
I suspect that David McVicar’s new production of the Metropolitan Opera’s Norma had its most congenial showing as a totality, specifically in the HD format at the movie theater.
The love that dare not yawp its name
Matthew Aucoin’s Crossing depicts Walt Whitman’s experience serving wounded soldiers in a DC infirmary and chronicles the period’s tragic effects.
A voice that must be heard
At the center of the Met’s revival of Puccini’s La bohème, one found the rich and layered talent of Angel Blue.
As time goes on, I realize just what you mean to me
There is a slight chill in the air during the final minutes of La Traviata.
Outside this house
The 55th New York Film Festival presented the world premiere of Susan Froemke’s marvelous new documentary The Opera House in a special one-time-only screening at the Metropolitan Opera.
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).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
