Saturday, May 4, 2019, saw the third performance of Bronx Opera’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado.” This cherished comedy featured a current-year setting, taking the fictitious city of Titipu and draping it in all the trappings and references of the Trump Administration. While initially uncertain as to how well the work’s themes, text, and music would translate to {…}
(Photo: Bill Cooper) Having seen Graham Vick’s joyless production of “The Magic Flute” at last year’s Macerata Festival, which amounted to little more than a heavy-handed political rant, how refreshing and restorative it was to watch Welsh National Opera’s light, amusing and wholly positive production. Certainly, the work, probably more than most, is open to a variety of interpretations given {…}
The Juilliard School successfully showcased a refined production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” that brought the 2018-2019 season to a close. Emphasizing its relevancy to modern day societal awakening, the overall perspective was superbly defined by director Emma Griffin. With a psychologically insightful design and free-thinking based concept, Griffin cultivated an artistically impactful performance that gave as strong an impression as {…}
Stemming from a psychoanalysis review of one woman’s journey to self-discovery, Kurt Weill’s “Lady in the Dark” is pertinent to modern day and the overall theme of self-awakening. Ted Sperling, Conductor and Director of NYC’s MasterVoices, was inspired by this work at an early age. The opportunity to conclude MasterVoices 2018-2019 season with a full production of this music drama {…}
The true tragedy of Benjamin Britten and Ronaldo Duncan’s “The Rape of Lucretia” is that its story, about a virtuous woman in Ancient Rome who is raped by a powerful man, continues to re-enact itself in the modern world. What is arguably most complicated about the opera itself is that this tragedy is framed by the male gaze, which only {…}
Puccini’s “La Rondine” soared out of Berkeley’s Hillside Club Sunday afternoon, in full flight. Pocket Opera, under the artistic direction of Nicholas A. Garcia and music director David Drummond, gave voice to its bittersweet charm. With the Pocket Philharmonic tucked neatly upstage and the small cast of ardent singers weaving in and out of a petite and well-designed set, the {…}
(Photo: Bill Cooper) Spiders do not have the best of reputations. Known as unsociable, solitary creatures, they remain aloof, but alert to the slightest movement in their deadly webs. They patiently await their prey to fall into the trap, which they then efficiently despatch, store, and eventually consume. Female spiders are considered to be particularly cold and vicious creatures, many {…}
On the evening of April 26, 2019, guests excitedly filed into the Metropolitan Opera’s grand auditorium, eager to experience Verdi’s masterpiece “Rigoletto.” Returning to the stage for its second run of performances this season with a new principal cast, Michael Mayer’s production sets the tragic opera in Las Vegas in the 1960s. With the audience seated and Maestro Nicola Luisotti standing ready {…}
José Bros, a highly regarded Spanish tenor, chose to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his opera debut with a recital of Zarzuela pieces. He was joined by rising soprano Ruth Iniesta, who happens to be currently performing the role of “Nannetta” in Verdi’s “Falstaff” at the same stage. The two sang an equal number of Zarzuela arias and shared the {…}