Photo: Winslow Townson The first time my partner watched Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” he couldn’t believe that the composer ever thought a Stalinist regime would be pleased with the opera. The “in-your-face” power of the work made him—a (handsome) man whose political convictions ponder between socialism and cowboyism—find endearing that ‘Shosta’ could not see his censoring coming. Even today, {…}
Gioachino Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” is set to be performed in a modern-day Newport, RI in a new production by Opera Columbus. The classic work will be set in the mid-century modern town of Newport, Rhode Island and will showcase Sofia Selowsky and Ben Lee in the lead roles. Gideon Dabi will perform the role of Dandini, while Michelle Trainor will {…}
Boston Lyric Opera presents the New England premiere of “Fellow Travelers.” The opera by composer Gregory Spears and librettist Greg Pierce’s is a political drama that follows a gay romance through the McCarthy-era “lavender scare.” The production is set to star Jesse Blumberg, Jesse Darden, Chelsea Basler, Simon Dyer James Maddalena, David McFerrin, Michelle Trainor, Vincent Turregano, and Brianna Robinson. The {…}