Reviews, appreciation and analysis of all things opera
Houston Grand Opera, in the second year of a five year cycle honoring 20th century English composer Benjamin Britten, has created a new production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” in collaboration with the Canadian Opera Company of Toronto and Lyric Opera of Chicago. (The production will appear in Toronto May 5 through 13, 2009, with a different cast, … Read more
The Dallas Opera, in its final season before the opening of the new Winspear Opera House, has mounted a vibrant new production of Gaetano Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux”, with an international cast of the first rank. Those fortunate enough to be present at one of the four scheduled performances will experience a revival of one of … Read more
The Los Angeles Opera continued its month dedicated to Conductor James Conlon’s presentation of Mozart’s masterpiece, “Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute”), with an alternate cast of artists in the five principal roles from the previous night’s opening of the opera’s run. (For a review of the opening performance, see: Conlon’s Magical Revival of Mozart’s “Flute” at … Read more
Opera-goers attending either of the performances of the Los Angeles Opera during the second weekend of January 2009 had a world class experience – conductor James Conlon leading the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra in a spirited and extraordinarily well-sung performance of Mozart’s “Magic Flute” in Sir Peter Hall’s production, utilizing the cheerful and imaginative sets … Read more
As a reviewer of substantial numbers of operatic performances, one comes to appreciate that a truly successful performance requires much more than good singing by the singers in the lead roles. Often, a good performance becomes a great one when the opera’s storyline is enhanced by the strong dramatic presence of singing actors in “supporting” … Read more