Reviews, appreciation and analysis of all things opera
The following interview took place at the War Memorial Opera House, home of the San Francisco Opera, whose facilitation of this interview is deeply appreciated. [Below: Composer Carlisle Floyd; edited image, based on a publicity photograph, courtesy of Carlisle Floyd.] Wm: Often, I ask artists whom I interview about their childhood interests in music. That … Read more
This interview took place on the “ranch” of the Santa Fe Opera, whose facilitation of the interview is deeply appreciated. [Below: Bass-baritone Greer Grimsley; edited image of a publicity photograph, from www.greergrimsley.com.] Wm: What are your earliest memories of music? GG: I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, so there was no lack of … Read more
This post continues from A Conversation with Director-Designer John Pascoe, Part 2 regarding his international career in opera stage direction and production design. We have committed to posting an ongoing series of discussions on his career influences and on a variety of opera-related subjects. [Below: John Pascoe in the year 1980; resized image of a personal photograph, courtesy of … Read more
Earlier this month, I praised Carlisle Floyd’s 1955 opera “Susannah” in its new San Francisco Opera production [see Review: Racette, Aceto, Jovanovich in Brilliant New Production of “Susannah” – San Francisco Opera, September 6, 2014]. Seeing the opera in this production once again, I was impressed with the glories of the musical score and the dramatically gripping … Read more
My review of the opening night of the San Francisco Opera 2014-15 season (and of its new production of Bellini’s “Norma”) was posted a week ago [See Review: Sondra Radvanovsky’s Stunning Season Opening “Norma” – San Francisco Opera, September 5, 2014.] In that review I had praised the artistry of the Norma, Sondra Radvanovsky, and the … Read more