Author Archives: philip

Ruddigore Review I – Stanford Savoyards present an afternoon of eerie fun

Posted on May 24, 2012 by philip

Ruddigore is not as well known as some of the other Gilbert and Sullivan operas – which is a shame, because it is full of catchy tunes, clever words, and a comic twist to provide a happy ending.  I enjoyed the production at Dinkelspiel Auditorium on Saturday May 12 2012 so much that I went again for the final performance on Sunday.  Continue reading »

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MetHD Summer Encores

Posted on May 14, 2012 by philip

FYI here is the schedule of the six Encore performances that MetHD will be showing in June and July:  Continue reading »

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La Traviata MetHD Review – Minimalism Carried Too Far

Posted on May 2, 2012 by philip

I have just seen the MetHD Encore performance of Willy Decker’s stunning production of Verdi’s La Traviata, having had to miss the Live performance on April 14, 2012.  Writing a review after the final performance (both the HD and the Lincoln Center held their final performance today, May 2, 2012) has one distinct advantage.   Continue reading »

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FAUST Review – Opera San Jose produces a sensitive interpretation of the classic legend

Posted on April 28, 2012 by philip

Last Sunday, April 22, 2012, I saw my fourth production (and my sixth performance) of Faust in the last two years – and next Sunday I plan to go again and see Opera San Jose’s other cast. Continue reading »

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Manon MetHD Review – Another Winner for Anna Netrebko

Posted on April 20, 2012 by philip

Manon is an opera that grows on me.  I like it and appreciate it more every time I see it.  I’m sure I saw it in the years before I started writing opera reviews, but if I did, it did not make a lasting impression.  Continue reading »

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Count Ory Review – Pocket Opera and Rossini produce a comic masterpiece

Posted on April 19, 2012 by philip

Let’s start with a quiz.  You know how when you buy a book or disk from Amazon they’ll try to entice you to buy more by showing you a few more books and saying, “People who bought your selection also bought . . .  ?”  Well, my quiz is, which one of the following would be most likely to appear to complete the sentence, “People who enjoyed Rossini’s Count Ory also enjoyed”  Continue reading »

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Pirates of Penzance Singalong Review – Fun: Pure unadulterated fun

Posted on March 29, 2012 by philip

The fun began on March 11, 2012 when we read the program.  With a perfectly straight face we read:  Continue reading »

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Yanked from the Harem Review – Pocket Opera’s interpretation of Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio

Posted on March 8, 2012 by philip

March certainly came in like a lamb this year.  Continue reading »

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La Traviata II – Further thoughts after seeing 2 more (complete) performances

Posted on March 7, 2012 by philip

Here’s the Opera Nut again with a few more thoughts after two weeks and two complete performances of La Traviata.  Continue reading »

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Don Giovanni Review – An old favorite in modern dress

Posted on February 22, 2012 by philip

Friday night, February 17, 2012, was the third and last production of Don Giovanni that I have seen and reviewed this season.  Continue reading »

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