Reviews

Current reviews of modern and classic operas from both large and small opera houses across the United States and Europe. Over 500 reviews since 2005.

Historical Performances: Dorothy Kirsten Leads “Butterfly” Cast for San Francisco Opera’s New Production, November 13, 1966

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Note from William: This post continues my series of observances of historic performances that I attended at San Francisco Opera during the general directorship of Kurt Herbert Adler. This is the eleventh of fourteen such observances of performances from the company’s 1966 Fall season.  A few hours after attending a Saturday night performance of Berlioz’ “Les … Read more

Historical Performances: Crespin, Vickers in first American production of Berlioz’ “Les Troyens” – San Francisco Opera, November 12, 1966

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Note from William: This post continues my series of observances of historic performances that I attended at San Francisco Opera during the general directorship woof Kurt Herbert Adler. This is the tenth of fourteen such observances of performances from the company’s 1966 Fall season. One week after my second “Rigoletto” performance of San Francisco Opera’s 1966 … Read more

Historical Performances: A Pleasing “Rigoletto” From Chester Ludgin, Lee Venora, Ottavio Garaventa and Janis Martin, San Francisco Opera, November 5, 1966

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Note from William: This post continues my series of observances of historic performances that I attended at San Francisco Opera during the general directorship of Kurt Herbert Adler. This is the ninth of fourteen such observances of performances from the company’s 1966 Fall season. In the mid-20th century, the San Francisco Opera, following the practice of … Read more

DVD Review: Francesca Zambello, the American Musical and the San Francisco Opera, Part 2: “Porgy and Bess”

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This is the second of two discussions of DVDs of productions of classic American musicals performed by the San Francisco Opera, following DVD Review: Francesca Zambello, the American Musical and the San Francisco Opera, Part I: “Show Boat”. Each DVD is of a production conceived and staged by director Francesca Zambello.\ David Gockley, San Francisco Opera’s … Read more

Rising Stars: An Interview with Baritone Elliot Madore

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[Below: Canadian baritone Elliot Madore; resized image of a Cryil Mater photograph.] Wm: I like to know the earliest memories that my interview subjects have of music? What are yours? EM: My love of music was fostered at a young age singing with my school choir. I vividly recall being utterly taken and transfixed by … Read more