Dolores Claiborne Review – Grim but Fascinating

Dolores Claiborne is unforgettable.
Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mefistofele Review – Boito’s Opera is truly epic

I walk into the War Memorial Opera House, I show my ticket, the usher hands me a program, I glance at the cover, and WOW!

Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Falstaff OSJ Review – ‘Tis the Season to be Merry (Wives of Windsor, that is)

I’ve read the script a couple of times, but I’ve never seen a performance of Shakespeare’s play, The Merry Wives of Windsor. I did see Nicolai’s opera of that title this summer, but it’s been 12 years since I last saw Verdi’s masterpiece, Falstaff. That drought is being ended with a vengeance this fall. Yesterday, September 8, 2013, I saw Opera San JosÉ perform it, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again on the 15th with the other cast. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Iolanthe Review – A Gilbert and Sullivan Masterpiece

Iolanthe is one of my favorite G&S operettas – in fact today, Sunday August 11 2013, with my mind reeling with scenes, music, and words from having attended the Lamplighters’ performance of this masterpiece both last night and this afternoon, I would rank it #1. Continue reading »

Posted in Operetta Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cyrano Review – Victor Herbert’s Operetta with a new Libretto by Alyce Mott

It was an unlikely combination. A beautifully tragic play by a 19th century Frenchman, loosely based on a real person from 200-some years before; Continue reading »

Posted in Operetta Review | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Merry Wives of Windsor Review – Pocket Opera’s Production Had Everyone Laughing

Sir John Falstaff is a fictional character who appears in three of Shakespeare’s plays: King Henry IV – Part One, King Henry IV – Part Two, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. I don’t know about the historical plays, but Wikipedia lists 5 operas whose plot is based on the comedy:  Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mary Magdalene Review – A Tender Reverent Setting for the Recently Discovered Gospel

For weeks I had been looking forward to the night of Saturday, June 23 2013 and the second performance ever of the world premier production of The Gospel of Mary Magdalene.  Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cosé¬ Fan Tutte Review – A big company takes on a small opera

Over the years I have seen Cosé¬ Fan Tutte many times, and this is the third production for which I have written a review (read my previous reviews). I have seen it played as a light-hearted comedy. I have seen it played more darkly with Don Alfonso more of a villain playing with other people’s souls. I have seen Despina fully conniving with Don Alfonso’s schemes, and Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tales of Hoffmann Review – San Francisco Opera does it differently

This is the seventh performance and the fourth different production of Tales of Hoffmann that I have seen during just the past year – and by far the most different. Since I have already written three reviews, I don’t want to repeat myself by talking about the plot. If you are not already familiar with the plot of a classic production, you may want to read my review of the Pocket Opera production before proceeding with this review. Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Otello Review – West Bay Opera does Moor with Less

Last night, May 23, 2013, West Bay Opera demonstrated again how a small opera company can present a big opera. Try as I may, I can’t think of anything negative to say about their production of Verdi’s Otello. But how do you begin to write a review when you want to rave about all aspects of the production? Continue reading »

Posted in Opera Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment