The latest reviews and critic recommendations from Opera.
Considering all the second-rate operas by men that have received first-rate productions at major houses, it's a shock that the performances of Dame Ethel Smyth's early 20th-century opera, THE WRECKERS, at Bard Music Festival was the stage premiere of the work in this country.
Sir David McVicar's latest creation for Opera Australia, Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO is a beautiful blend of a comic tale of the goings-on in an aristocratic home, well-paced music and stunning visuals.
Plays through 8/8/15
At a time when we're often inundated with yet another TOSCA, BOHEME or CARMEN at major opera houses, the Caramoor Festival in Katonah, NY--a couple of hours north of New York City in summer traffic--manages to bring some relief, thanks to the efforts of its Music Director Will Crutchfield.
Opera Australia pairs the beautiful grandeur of 17th Century Spain with Giuseppe Verdi's fabulous score as they bring DON CARLOS back to the Sydney Opera House.
From the moment that Scott Schoonover raised his baton to invoke that incredible athletic overture it was re-confirmed to me that DON GIOVANNI is indeed the zenith of 18th Century opera
The tragic tale of the Courtesan and Nobleman, driven apart by a father concerned for his family's reputation is played out in Giuseppe Verdi's LA TRAVIATA.
Opera Australia's production of TURANDOT blends Puccini's famous music with striking costumes and elements of Chinese Opera to encourage the audience to imagine an Imperial China filled with crowds waiting for the execution of the latest suitor to fail the Princess' challenge.
At Masada—the mountain fortress in Israel's Judean Desert--a group of besieged Jewish rebels killed themselves rather than be taken alive by the Romans almost 2000 years ago.
Pity the poor also-rans in operatic history: Leoncavallo's LA BOHEME and even Rossini's OTELLO are perhaps the most famous titles.
Music Theatre Wichita is off and running.
This review was first published by KDHX 88-1 St.
One of the theatrical highlights of the summer, Skylark Opera's Annual Summer Festival, is upon us! As usual, the two shows playing in repertoire include one that's more of a traditional opera (but always in English) and one that skews a bit more towards musical theater: Puccini's LA RONDINE and
The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan's classic romp of an opera is pleasure enough; but the lovely open air setting of Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center on a pleasant summer's eve makes the frolics of tender-hearted pirates, not-so-naive maidens and a constabulary force who seem to have misp
It didn't have a ten-ton set, a fake diva flying from a parapet, or a star-studded cast, but Opera Lafayette's L'EPREUVE VILLAGEOISE (THE VILLAGE TRIAL) had one thing noticeably absent from the opera stage in New York this season: charm aplenty, charm galore.
This review was first published by KDHX, St.
A long, long time ago, in a land far, far away…a man named George Fredric Handel crafted an opera entitled Rinaldo.
A rare Puccini receives a lovely production: 'La rondine' at Opera Theatre of St.
I think I bring this up every time I write about an opera, but it's just so funny to me that most of my early exposure to the medium came through films that I saw on TV when I was kid.
Adapted from a scene of Euripides' Medea, the Tapestry Opera's latest production of M'DEA UNDONE brings the myth and tragedy of this classic story to modern times.
Whether audience members know, or let alone have heard, about opera singer Maria Callas, Master Class offers much to contemplate about the dedication towards one's art.
Be shaken as well as stirred by this inventive trio at Sturgeon Bay's Third Avenue Playhouse.
Forget what might be known or understood regarding Richard Wagner's epic The Ring Cycle- a legendary series of four complete operas he composed over 26 years ( 1848-1874) that requires more than 18 hours to perform.
The Met was running on all cylinders for the last performance of the season, with Verdi's UN BALLO IN MASCHERA in an energized version of the production that premiered in 2012.
Anybody who enjoys full throated singing, and a swirling orchestral backing, would have been as a delighted as I was.
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Fiddler on the Roof Union Avenue Opera (7/03-7/11) |
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Samson et Dalila Union Avenue Opera (8/14-8/22) |
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L’elisir d’amore Union Avenue Opera (7/24-8/01) |
