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Carnegie Hall 2017-18 Review – Candide: Erin Morley, Paul Appleby, John Lithgow & Patricia Racette Charm In Celebration To Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein is the composer’s seminal theatrical work, a work that has suddenly become ever-present around the United States. Almost every major company or concert hall has mounted some iteration of the work in the last year or so to celebrate the composer’s centennial birthday. And this was the case at the legendary Carnegi Hall, which held a benefit concert {…}

Juilliard School 2018 Review – Hippolyte et Aricie: Production Recreates What Rameau Would Have Hoped For

Premiering in 1773, Jean-Phillipe Rameau’s first opera, “Hippolyte et Aricie,” was considered to be a ground-breaking and controversial work that would further inspire a continuation of masterpieces that Rameau would create in support of “modern” music.  Modeled after Racine’s tragedy “Phèdre,” Rameau created a tragédie lyrique, that stirred perspectives surrounding a genre of French opera that began with Jean-Baptiste Lully {…}

Teatro Malibran 2018 Review – Orlando Furioso: Revival of Vivaldi Success Is Rousing Success With Top-End Cast

As part of its 2017 programme, the Festival della Valle D’Itria presented a staging of Vivaldi’s opera “Orlando Furioso.” Embracing the performance traditions of the baroque period and resisting the temptation to make the work “relevant,” its director, Fabio Ceresa and his production team produced a splendid reading of the work, full of color, spectacle, and beauty. The musical direction, {…}

Manhattan School of Music 2017-18 Review – The Snow Maiden: Juliana Levinson & Castmates Deliver Rousing Showcase of Rimsky-Korsakov Gem

Audience members enjoyed a rare performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Snow Maiden,” in English, over the weekend.  Translated by Alasdair Middleton for Opera North’s 2017 production, this opera was said to possibly be Rimsky-Korsakov’s best contemporary opera.  In addition to its popularity in Russia, this specific opera contains remarkably poignant folklike melodies that gave life to the overall culture and complex {…}

Chicago Opera Theater 2017-18 Review – Il Pigmalione and Rita: A Double-Bill of Donizetti Pays Worthy Homage to His Genius

Seasoned operagoers are very familiar with Gaetano Donizetti, although most have only seen a paltry number of his works including the likes of “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Anna Bolena” and “La Fille du Régiment.” Donizetti is known as opera’s most prolific popular composer with over 70 operas to his name with many providing fertile unexplored territory. The innovative Chicago Opera Theater has forged {…}

Oper Graz 2017-18 Review – ll Viaggio a Reims: Rossini Comedy a Sparkling Triumph Worthy of Maison Krug.

Gioachino Rossini was not just an enormously successful composer and gourmand extraordinaire, but also a highly astute businessman. When he eventually went to the celestial grande bouffe in 1868, he left an estate worth millions of francs. According to Sosthènes de la Rochefoucauld, Rossini composed “Il Viaggio a Reims” as “un homage complètement désintéressé,” which was 19th century French Court-speak for {…}

Chicago Opera Theater 2018-19 Season – Il Pigmalione / Rita: Donizetti Donizetti Double Bill Is A Masterclass in Composition

Editor’s Note: You may notice that we previously published a review on this double bill recently. This is another perspective on the same production for your enjoyment and Insight.  The Chicago Opera Theater’s April 14, 20, and 22 double-bill presentation at the Studebaker Theater of “Il Pigmalione” and “Rita,” Donizetti’s first and last operas gave the listener a masterclass in {…}

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