Reviews, appreciation and analysis of all things opera
[William’s Note: the following interview with tenor Brandon Jovanovich was conducted on the “ranch” of the Santa Fe Opera for which Jovanovich is performing the role of Pinkerton in the 2010 summer festival’s new production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly”.] Wm: You grew up in Yellowstone County, Montana and went to college near Arizona’s Grand … Read more
This is a continuation of Guest Commentator’s Arthur Bloomfield’s “time machine” journey back to the early and mid-20th century to explore the works of great conductors of the age. The journey began at Guest Commentator Arthur Bloomfield: “A Great Time Machine Trip”. The second part of his journey begins here: Now our Machine zips back … Read more
Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” is the Santa Fe Opera’s signature work, having been the first performance by the company in 1957 and having opened new houses in 1968 and 1998. The opera’s host city in Northern New Mexico takes pride in its 16th century European ties that precede the birth of opera, yet the State of … Read more
[The following interview took place in conjunction with Susan Graham’s participation in New Mexico’s Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival .] Wm: This summer and for several months afterwards, you will be concentrating on concerts and presentations of song cycles at festivals, rather than operatic performances. Do you find it rejuvenating to spend several months in … Read more
Santa Fe Opera, which in its 54 year history has performed 13 operas by Richard Strauss, several in multiple seasons, has seldom mounted works by 19th century French composers, beyond Bizet’s “Carmen”. Thomas’ “Mignon” was done in 1982, and Debussy’s “Pelleas et Melisande” (actually a 20th century work) was performed twice in the 1970s, and … Read more