Reviews, appreciation and analysis of all things opera
William Burnett
After the intermission that followed my first ever performance of Mascagni’s one act “Cavalleria Rusticana” [Historical Performances: Ghita Hager Directs Roberto, di Virgilio, Cossa in “Cavalleria Rusticana” – San Francisco Spring Opera Theater [SPOT] – June 16, 1967], I settled back into my seat for my first ever performance of Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci”. Ghita Hager’s intelligent … Read more
The following is a list of four of the five operas I am scheduled to review during the Santa Fe Opera’s 2023 Season. The fifth will be included on a later “Quest and Anticipations” list. Tosca (Puccini), June 30, July 5, 8, 14, 21, August 1, 7, 12, 19, 23 and 26, 2023 British director … Read more
The following are four of the operas I am scheduled to review taking place at the San Francisco Opera during 2023, celebrating the centennial of the company’s founding. Die Frau ohne Schatten (Richard Strauss), San Francisco Opera, June 4 (m), 10, 20, 23 and 28, 2023 San Francisco Opera, the company that mounted the United … Read more
Since the year 2006, I have reviewed each of the opera productions mounted by the San Francisco Opera in the War Memorial Opera House, providing each with a letter grade. Like the seminars associated with Ph.D. programs, I do not grade “on a curve”, but, instead expect that a San Francisco Opera performance of any opera, like … Read more
Operawarhorses.com reviews San Francisco Opera’s new production of “La Traviata” included