Rising Stars: An Interview with Daniela Mack

The following interview took place on the Santa Fe Opera “Ranch” with the much-appreciated facilitation of the Santa Fe Opera:   [Below: Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack; edited image, based on a Shervin Lainez photograph.] Wm: Tell me your earliest memories of music and of opera! DM: I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and lived there … Read more

In Quest of Operas Based on Myths and Fairy Tales – November 2018 – August 2019

I am scheduled to review the following operas, to be presented by the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Los Angeles Opera, the San Francisco Opera or the Santa Fe Opera between November 2018 and August 2019: Siegfried (Wagner), Lyric Opera of Chicago, November 3, 7, 11(m) and 16, 2018. Buckhard Fritz and Matthias Klink make … Read more

In Quest of Less Often Performed Repertory Operas – October 2018 – August 2019

All four of the operas below are part of the core opera repertory, but are performed much less often than the most popular operas. Arabella (Richard Strauss), San Francisco Opera, October 16, 19, 24, 28(m) and November 3, 2018. Ellie Dehn is Arabella, Brian Mulligan is Mandryka, Daniel Johansson is Matteo and Heidi Stober is … Read more

Rising Stars: An Interview with Brian Vu

The following interview with baritone Brian Vu took place at the Glimmerglass Festival with the Festival’s much appreciated facilitation: [Below: Baritone Brian Vu; edited image of a Karli Cadel photograph.] Wm: I usually ask my interviewees their earliest childhood  memories of music, and of opera. What are yours? BV: I’ve always been surrounded by it. My family was … Read more