Quests and Anticipations

Over a 13 month period, I have reviewed or am scheduled to review all seven of Mozart’s major operas. The reviews included the Lyric Opera of Chicago production of Mozart’s “Idomeneo” [see Review: Matthew Polenzani Stars in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle “World Treasure” Production of Mozart’s “Idomeneo” – Lyric Opera, Chicago, November 2, 2018] and the Los … Read more

The following is a list of French opera performances that I am scheduled to review over the next year. Carmen (Bizet) San Francisco Opera, June 5, 11, 14, 20, 23(m), 26 and 29, 2019. J’Naii Bridges is Carmen; Matthew Polenzani is Don Jose, Anita Hartig is Micaela and Kyle Ketelsen is Escamillo. [Below: J’Nai Bridges … Read more

Over the next year, I am scheduled to review four performances of three Italian operas that premiered between 1892 and 1896 by the composers Alfredo Catalani and Giacomo Puccini. Playwright Luigi Illica was librettist or co-librettist for each of the three operas. La Boheme (Puccini), Los Angeles Opera, September 14, 22, 25, 28, October 2 … Read more

During the next year and a half, I am scheduled to review performances of contemporary productions of four operas composed by the great baroque composer, George Frideric Handel. Orlando (Handel), San Francisco Opera, June 9(m), 15, 18, 21 and 27, 2019 Handel’s “Orlando”, based on Ariosto’s fanciful 16th century tale inspired by of the characters of the medieval epic “The Song of Roland” has been time-shifted … Read more

Over the next six months, I will be reviewing performances at the San Diego Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the Glimmerglass Festival and the Central City Opera, each of which represents a quite distinct style of musical works. Rigoletto (Verdi), San Diego Opera, February 2, 5, 8 and 10(m), 2019. The San Diego Opera presents the Michael Cavanagh production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto”, conducted by Maestro Steven … Read more