Category Archives: Opera Review

Aida – A New Definition of Spectacular

Posted on September 27, 2010 by philip

The magic begins with the outer curtain.  When we take our seats on the side aisle in row S, we see an enormous black triangle in a field of scrolled gilt. Continue reading »

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Werther – Beautiful Franco-German Gloom

Posted on September 24, 2010 by philip

There are many points of similarity between Werther which I saw last night and Anna Karenina which I saw last week.  Continue reading »

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Anna Karenina -19th Century Russian Soul with 21st Century American Music

Posted on September 19, 2010 by philip

“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

The overture starts loud and dissonant with lots of percussion.  The first few measures invoke an image of a rushing railroad train.  There is no curtain but the stage is in almost total darkness.  The music continues.  The stage slowly begins to lighten.  Continue reading »

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Wagner’s Ring (Valencia) – Exciting Technology

Posted on September 6, 2010 by philip

If all goes well for me during the coming 2010-11 operatic season, it will be the Year of the Ring. The 12-production Met HD season will be book-ended by new productions of Das Rheingold and Die Walkre, the first two operas in the cycle (the last two should follow next year). In November and January the European HD network will present a new production of the same two operas from La Scala. In June, the San Francisco Opera will present the complete cycle produced by their Artistic Adviser Francesca Zambello. And the season began in August 2010 with the European HD showing of final opera in the fantastical production by Carlus Padrissa and La Fura dels Baus which I have just seen. Continue reading »

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La Traviata (Fremont Opera) – A Summer of Camellias

Posted on August 31, 2010 by philip

In May I saw West Bay Opera’s production of Verdi’s operatic version of Dumas’ play Lady of the Camellias three times, and in June I went twice to the Pocket Opera version.

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Norma – Hanky-Panky in Ancient Gaul

Posted on August 25, 2010 by philip

Vincenzo Bellini is generally considered to be the master of Bel Canto , and Norma , written in 1831, is generally considered to be his masterpiece.

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Carmen – Elina Garanča Gives New Meaning to “Sexy”

Posted on August 5, 2010 by philip

In recent years I have seen Carmen performed by West Bay Opera, Pocket Opera, Opera San Jose, and Met HD.  Every production is different, and I’ve liked every one of them. Continue reading »

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Turandot – The Prince of Tartary raises stupidity to a new height – or should I say depth? But Love (and Puccini) conquers all.

Posted on July 26, 2010 by philip

This is the third time in less than a year that I have seen this Zeffirelli production of Turandot on HD, and I want to share with you the change in my reaction to each performance.  Here then, in chronological order, are my reviews written on November 7, November 21, and July 21: Continue reading »

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La Boheme – To Cry or Not to Cry

Posted on July 23, 2010 by philip

La Bohme is one of the most popular operas of all time. Continue reading »

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Pocket Opera La Traviata – Even smaller is even better

Posted on July 19, 2010 by philip

Before I begin my review, I want to make a confession.  I love opera.  In particular, I love opera-in-the-small.  I show that love by writing these reviews and by my support for two small local opera companies.  I am a member of the  West Bay Opera Guild and a member of the Pocket Opera Board of Directors. Continue reading »

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