A masked ball A masked ball

Opera San José (OSJ) concluded its eclectic 41st Season with another first, Héctor Armienta’s Zorro, which received its Northern California premiere at the California Theatre on Friday, April 19th.

A happening in Central Park A happening in Central Park

The outdoor recitals that the Metropolitan Opera presents in New York City Parks every summer are a wonderful way to showcase rising young stars and promising beginners from the Met’s Lindemann Program.

Unqualified triumph Unqualified triumph

Since I began regularly attending performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1999, I have been a great admirer of director Francesca Zambello’s productions.

Not with a bang Not with a bang

When the Staatskapelle Berlin announced a two-night engagement at Carnegie Hall performing all four Brahms symphonies, I immediately made a note in my calendar to attend. I also wondered who would be the conductor when the announced Daniel Barenboim inevitably withdrew.

Let the river run Let the river run

In its Met premier, neither a talented cast nor some beautiful musical moments were enough to make Florencia feel new or vital.

Tuckered out Tuckered out

This Sunday marked a muted return of the Richard Tucker Foundation Gala, which had the dubious distinction of the fourth edition not to feature a prizewinner and perhaps the first not to provide complete orchestral and choral accompaniment for its performers.

You’re better off without me, mein Hair You’re better off without me, mein Hair

I hate to say I nearly cringe at the thought of Gioachino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

“Blame it on the summer knight” “Blame it on the summer knight”

On June 20, a rather breezy, pleasant cool summer evening, the soprano Gabriella Reyes, tenor René Barbera and baritone Will Liverman took over the Summerstage space with a wide-ranging, ambitious recital program with Dimitri Dover tickling the ivories.

Rebranding the Met Rebranding the Met

A quick survey of the Met website shows wide swaths of available seats for the upcoming performances of La traviata and L’elisir d’amore.  Only new works like The Hours and Fire Shut Up in My Bones have been achieving sold-out houses.

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.

Stormy weather Stormy weather

Looking at the Houston Grand Opera’s 2018/19 season, I think Hurricane Harvey subconsciously must have had an impact on the choice of operas. 

And the ‘Angels’ sing And the ‘Angels’ sing

Angels in America reimagined as an actual, full-blown opera.

Rolling on the river Rolling on the river

Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas at NYCO charts the emotional trajectory of seven characters aboard a ship called the El Dorado.

Home brew Home brew

An extraordinarily rich variety of opera happens locally, under the umbrella of New York Opera Fest.