Month: July 2016

Review: A Surprise at Santa Fe Opera – Joshua Guerrero joins Pérez, Aceto in Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette”, July 29, 2016

by

For the 2016 Santa Fe Opera season, the company presented its first production of Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” in its history, in a new production by British director Stephen Lawless. The production set the action in the 1860s, in an homage to the decade in which Gounod’s two most famous operas – “Faust” and  “Roméo” were created and … Read more

Review: Santa Fe Opera Makes the Case for “Capriccio”- July 27, 2016

by

Richard Strauss’ 74-year old opera’ “Capriccio”, composed under the skeptical eye of a totalitarian Nazi regime, is a delicate piece that requires an extraordinary cast of singing actors, a stylish production, and a conductor and orchestra that can do justice to Strauss’ highly dramatic, lushly romantic score. The Santa Fe Opera, whose early reputation was built on … Read more

Guest Commentary by Ryan McKinny: Why We Need Parsifal

by

As baritone Ryan McKinny prepares to make his Bayreuth Festival debut, opening the 2016 festival as Amfortas in Wagner’s “Parsifal”, he has agreed to allow me to post this essay:   [Below: Baritone Ryan McKinny; edited image of a Simon Pauly photograph. Durch Mitleid wissend. Through compassion, understanding. This phrase has been in my ear … Read more

Santa Fe Opera’s First-Ever Roméo : A Conversation with Stephen Costello

by

The following conversation with lyric tenor Stephen Costello took place at the Santa Fe Opera’s cantina, with the much-appreciated facilitation of the Santa Fe Opera.   Wm: You are here for on the Santa Fe Opera’s ranch rehearsing for your Santa Fe Opera debut as Roméo in Gounod’s “Roméo and Juliette”. You will be in the company premiere … Read more