Reviews, appreciation and analysis of all things opera
The Glimmerglass Festival, continuing General and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello’s commitment to American musical theater, mounted another of the classic mid-20th century hit musicals. “Camelot”, created by lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, is generally based on the Arthurian legend and specifically on the latter part of T. H. White’s 1930s tetralogy, The … Read more
In one of the most extraordinary experiences an operagoer is likely to see, the Glimmerglass Festival mounted Jessica Lang’s production of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s 1736 “Stabat Mater (There Stands the Mother)” based on a 13th century Latin poem of uncertain authorship. The vocal music, written for two high voices, was sung by Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo … Read more
Stage director and impresario Francesca Zambello is in her third season as General and Artistic Director of the Glimmerglass Festival, located on Lake Otsego, New York. For the second consecutive season, she has staged a new production of a major work from the standard operatic repertory. In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth … Read more
The East Coast’s major summer operatic experience is the 44-year Glimmerglass Festival, located on Lake Otsego in the scenic rural Finger Lakes region of central New York state. Beginning in Summer 2011, Francesca Zambello assumed the job of Artistic and General Director of the festival, that has has lured opera goers to the Cooperstown, New … Read more
Having commented previously on its world premiere [see Warm Reception for Adamo’s “Mary Magdalene” – San Francisco Opera, June 19, 2013], I attended sixth and last scheduled performance of Mark Adamo’s new opera in San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House. This second report gives me a chance to give my further impressions of the work and of … Read more