One of this website’s ongoing features is the identification of relationships between sets of operas that we are scheduled to review. Often the relationship is that the operas’ music is composed by the same person. The four listed below are all compositions of Mozart, all to be presented in productions created by respected directors.
Idomeneo (Mozart), Lyric Opera of Chicago, October 13, 18, 21, 24 and 28(m), 2018.
The Lyric Opera revives the 1982 Jean-Pierre Ponnelle production of Mozart’s “Idomeneo”.
Matthew Polenzani is Ideomeneo, Erin Wall is Elettra, Janai Brugger is Ilia, Angela Brower is Idamante and David Portillo is Arbace.
[Below: Matthew Polenzani as Idomeneo; edited image of a Kyle Flubacker photograph, courtesy of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.]
Maestro Sir Andrew Davis conducts. David Kneuss directs the revival.
[For my performance review, see: Review: Matthew Polenzani Stars in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle “World Treasure” Production of Mozart’s “Idomeneo” – November 2, 2018.]
Le Nozze di Figaro – The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart), San Diego Opera, October 20, 23, 26 and 28(m), 2018.
Nicholas Brownlee is Figaro and Sarah Shafer is Susanna. The Count and Countess Almaviva are respectively John Moore and Caitlyn Lynch. Emily Fons is Cherubino and Susanne Mentzer is Marcellina.
[Below: Count Almaviva (John Moore, above) suspects that his valet Figaro (Evan Hughes, below) is resisting the Count’s plan to take the virginity of Figaro’s fiance before Figaro’s wedding night in Stephen Lawless’ production of Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro”; edited image, based on a production photograph.]
The director is Stephen Lawless; Maestro John Nelson conducts.
The production is a co-production between Opera Philadelphia, Palm Beach Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City and the San Diego Opera.
[For my performance review, see: Review: A Captivating “Marriage of Figaro” Opens San Diego Opera’s 54th Season – October 20, 2018.]
La Clemenza di Tito – The Clemency of Titus (Mozart), Los Angeles Opera, March 2, 7, 10(m), 13, 16 and 24, 2019.
“La Clemenza di Tito” is Mozart’s penultimate operatic masterpiece, that he had worked on simultaneously with his “Magic Flute”. The Los Angeles Opera will be unveiling a new production of “Clemenza” production that will bring back together the creative team of director/designer Thaddeus Strassberger and Maestro James Conlon. The costumes are by Mattie Ullrich, the lighting by JAX Messenger.
[Below: Russell Thomas as Titus; edited image, based on a Cory Weaver photograph, courtesy of the Los Angeles Opera.]
Russell Thomas is Titus, Guanqun Yu is Vitellia, Elizabeth DeShong is Sesto, Janai Brugger is Servilia and James Creswell is Publio.
[For my performance review, see: Review: Ovations for L. A. Opera’s “Clemency of Titus”: Impressive Singing, Stylish New Production.]
Don Giovanni (Mozart), Houston Grand Opera, April 20, 27, 30, May 3 and 5(m), 2019.
Kasper Holten’s production of “Don Giovanni” with sets by Es Devlin features Ryan McKinny as Giovanni, Paolo Bordogna as Leporello, Ailyn Pérez as Donna Anna, Melody Moore as Donna Elvira, Ben Bliss as Don Ottavio, Dorothy Gal as Zerlina, Daniela Noyola as Masetto and Kristin Sigmundsson as the Commendatore. Maestro Cristian Macelaru conducts.
[Below: Don Giovanni (here, Ryan McKinny, standing center, arms outstretched) invites the masked visitors Donna Elvira (Melody Moore, left), Don Ottavio (Ben Bliss, second from left) and Donna Anna (Ailyn Perez, right) to join in the festivities; in the Kasper Holten production; edited image, based on a Lynn Lane photograph, courtesy of the Houston Grand Opera.]
The production is a joint project of the Houston Grand Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden (London), Gran Treatre del Liceu (Barcelona) and the Israeli Opera.
[For my performance review, see: Review: Outstanding Cast for “Don Giovanni” in Kasper Holten’s Vibrantly Visual Production – Houston Grand Opera, April 27, 2019.]
This list is supplementary to previous lists in this “Quests and Anticipations” series of selected operas being performed through January 2019:
Bernstein’s “West Side Story”, Janacek’s “Cunning Little Vixen” and Puts’ “Silent Night” at the Glimmerglass Festival [See In Quest of Opera Festival Repertory, June – August, 2018.]
Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” at the Glimmerglass Festival; Rossini’s “The Italian Girl in Algiers” at the Santa Fe Opera; and Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux” at the San Francisco Opera [See In Quest of Rossini and Donizetti – June-September, 2018.]
Adams’ “Doctor Atomic” at the Santa Fe Opera [See In Quest of New Opera Productions, March-August 2018.]
Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” at the Santa Fe Opera [See In Quest of German Operatic Repertory – September 2017-August 2018.]
Verdi’s “Don Carlo” at the Los Angeles Opera and Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” at the Seattle Opera [See In Quest of Verdi Operas, March 2018-January 2019.]
Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci” at the San Francisco Opera [See In Quest of “Core” Verismo Operas, February-September, 2018.]