(Photo credit: Nile Scott Studios) What can one expect from an opera that the one and only Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed when he was a mere fourteen years young? It is impressive considering the age of its composer and disappointing if we bear in mind what came next—like listening to Wagner’s “Die Feen,” Verdi’s “I Due Foscari” or even Puccini’s {…}
Photo credit: Nile Scott Studios Never mind the simplistically staged goals. Forget that the libretto, by Jacopo Ferretti, makes very little sense especially in Act two. Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “La Cenerentola” works — and works quite well! With a very talented cast, an inspiring conductor, and a good orchestra, Rossini and Ferretti’s opera invites everyone to enjoy a {…}
(Photo credit: Ken Yotsukura) Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) has decided the need to move Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” away from racism in order to save Puccini from himself. In doing so, BLO’s main production asset is its vocal cast composed mostly of people of Asian descent—an asset that BLO has been very eager to publicize. However, this narrows interpretations of what {…}
Boston Lyric Opera will open its 2019-20 season this September with the company’s first production of Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.” David Lefkowich will direct the opera “and its pre-show experience – an immersive roadshow circus that mirrors the opera’s play-within-a-play story of a traveling troupe whose onstage drama pales in comparison to its backstage love triangle.” Guests can enjoy circus performances, live {…}
Boston Lyric Opera will receive a $30,000 Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant will support the fall 2019 production of Leoncavallo’s tragic opera “Pagliacci,” which will open the season on Sept. 27. Out of 1,500 applicants in its category, BLO is one of 977 institutions chosen to receive the grant (which typically ranges $10,000 {…}
Boston Lyric Opera has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring productions that span three centuries of opera. The upcoming season will mark General & Artistic Director Esther Nelson’s 10th season with the company. According to the press release, BLO aims to focus on works that “reflect the highs and lows of power and politics,” while “bringing passionate opera installations to new neighborhoods, and {…}