Reviews, appreciation and analysis of all things opera
The following operas by the Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov and French composers Bizet, Saint-Saëns and Massenet all employ exotic harmonies to suggest Biblical Gaza, Byzantine Egypt, ancient Ceylon or an imaginary “Oriental” world: The Golden Cockerel [Le Coq d’Or], Santa Fe Opera, July 15, 19, 28, August 3 and 9, 2017. British director Paul Curran creates … Read more
The Korea National Opera revived its 2016 hit production of Vivaldi’s rarely performed early opera, “Orlando Finto Pazzo [Orlando Fakes Insanity]” at Seoul’s LG Arts Theater. The cast consisted of seven principal singers with mastery of Vivaldi’s coloratura fireworks, a brilliantly conceived staging by Italian wunderkind director Fabio Ceresa, attractive sets by South Korean designer Pilyoung Oh and masterful conducting by … Read more