If you surveyed the most recent 1,000 opera reviews, “testosterone” would not be one of the top hits. Unless you were Googling the Des Moines Metro Opera’s new production of “Billy Budd,” which promises to be the hit of its 45th season. Energized by the transformative performance of Zachary James as the “villain” John Claggart, this story is about much {…}
Turandot is tricky. A huge chorus, thundering orchestra, and over half a dozen other principal singers build audience expectations for an act and a half before the star sings a note, and then, like a rocket, the soprano must go from zero to escape velocity with her dazzling introduction, her explanation for her cruelty to her suitors in the aria {…}
As we get deeper into the summer, the opera world starts to slow down ever so slightly in North America. But there are still some major events taking place over the weekend, including a historic one. San Francisco Opera closes out its run of “Don Giovanni” which features a stellar cast that includes Ildebrando d’Arcangelo and Ana María Martinez among {…}
With the summer underway, the opera world remains in full swing. Opera in Ozarks is the big company to make headlines this weekend as the company showcases two performances. “Le Nozze di Figaro” gets a look on Friday while “Susannah” gets a showcase on Saturday. Wolf Trap Opera also gets a major showcase with “La Pietra del Paragone” on Friday {…}