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.
Florencia en el Amazonas
14 pieces since 2016 — at 3 companies, most often at Metropolitan Opera.
14
pieces
3
companies
11
years
Company Houston Grand Opera
Company Metropolitan Opera
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
In its Met premier, neither a talented cast nor some beautiful musical moments were enough to make Florencia feel new or vital.
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.
Company New York City Opera
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.