Reviews, appreciation and analysis of all things opera
An ongoing feature of this website is the “Best Bet Revivals” series. When one opera company mounts a physical production of an opera that has been favorably praised by this website, and offers it with a cast of singers who are comparable (at least) to those seen previously, then we alert potential opera goers to … Read more
An extraordinary performance of Aida by soprano Latonia Moore and a strong showing as Amneris by American mezzo-soprano Jill Grove were among the highlights of a warmly received San Diego Opera performance of Verdi’s “Aida”. The Houston Grand Opera’s sets were used. Designed by San Diego’s local celebrity artist Zandra Rhodes, her zany, color-drenched artwork … Read more
The San Diego Opera chose Easter weekend to produce Ildebrando Pizzetti’s “Murder in the Cathedral”, its much anticipated vehicle for Italian dramatic basso Ferruccio Furlanetto. An extraordinary work, dating from 1958, Pizzetti reverentially sets to music T. S. Eliot’s 1936 verse-play that found prewar 20th century significance in the moral choices of a 12th century king’s … Read more