Category Archives: Opera Review

Cosa Fan Tutte & Don Giovanni Review – Mozart takes a hit

Posted on July 14, 2010 by philip

Going to an Emerging Pictures’ European HD performance is frequently an adventure. Some of the European theaters and directors can do strange things to an opera. Continue reading »

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Eugene Onegin Review – Something is different

Posted on July 10, 2010 by philip

San Francisco Splash operanut (Philip Hodge) questions what makes this Met HD production different – Is it me?  Is it this particular production?  Is it Met HD?  Continue reading »

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Romeo et Juliette Review – A very mixed reaction

Posted on June 28, 2010 by philip

The Opera Nut finds he has a very mixed reaction to seeing his first opera of the Met HD 2010 Summer Encore Series.  Continue reading »

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Simon Boccanegra Review – Pla¡cido Domingo as the Doge of Genoa

Posted on June 22, 2010 by philip

Dear Fellow Opera Lovers:
Before you do anything else – before you even finish reading this review – go to the website of your nearest theatre which shows European HD operas  Continue reading »

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Armida and Rinaldo Review – or The Crusader and the Magician

Posted on June 7, 2010 by philip

Our San Francisco Splash Opera Nut is presenting readers with two very different operatic interpretations of the same classic legend.  Continue reading »

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Girl of the Golden West Review – Reactions to Puccini’s “Oater”

Posted on June 3, 2010 by philip

It is eleven o’clock at night, and I can’t sleep.  I have just walked the quarter mile from the Opera House to my room at Days Inn, and I am still full of the opera: The Girl of the Golden West in a new production celebrating the 100th anniversary of its first performance in 1910. Continue reading »

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Die Walké¼re Review – Part II of Wagner’s Ring Cycle closes the Opera nut’s Marathon

Posted on June 2, 2010 by philip

San Francisco Splash’s Opera nut (Philip G. Hodge) has outdone himself, sacrificing himself to five operas in six days with this being the last.  But it seems to agree with him.  Continue reading »

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La Vie Parisienne Review – Offenbach is often back with Pocket Opera

Posted on June 1, 2010 by philip

Pocket Opera has seen many changes in its 33 years of existence, but this weekend I encountered three traditions that continue year after year.   They always produce at least one Offenbach Opera Bouffe, they always produce at least one concert style opera by Handel, and they always present some of their performances at alternative venues.  So –  Continue reading »

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Faust in San Francisco – The Opera Nut Goes To San Francisco

Posted on June 1, 2010 by philip

San Francisco’s Opera nut (Philip G. Hodge) is at it again. Enjoying operas, that is. Check out his San Francisco Opera reviews – all three!

It has been almost ten years since I have been to the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, so I was eagerly anticipating going there this week to see three operas in three days, starting with Gounod’s Faust which I had last seen in San Jose about seven years ago.  Continue reading »

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La Traviata – Getting It Right

Posted on May 24, 2010 by philip

Opera at Its best is a combination of music, acting, and a story.  Although music is generally considered the most important of these three, I look upon them all as essential.  And in the act of creation of an opera, the story usually comes first.  In 1852, Verdi saw the new play, Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas fils, walked out of the theatre saying that must be my next opera, and presented the first version of La Traviata only a year later.  Continue reading »

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