Category Archives: Opera Review

Rigoletto Review – SF Opera’s Stunning Setting of Verdi’s Masterpiece

Posted on September 23, 2012 by philip

It is 8:00 PM, on Saturday, September 7, 2012.  Last night San Francisco Opera opened its 89th season with Verdi’s Rigoletto.  However, tonight will be “opening night” for the three principal members of the cast -Albina Shagimuratova (Gilda), Marco Vratogna (Rigoletto), and Francesco Demuro (The Duke of Mantua), since the company is splitting the 12 September performances between two casts. 

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The Pearl Fishers Review -Bizet’s Other Opera

Posted on September 17, 2012 by philip

I had seen three productions of The Pearl Fishers by the Minnesota Opera (1986, 1991, and 2009), and one by Opera San Jose (2004), so it wasn’t a brand new experience for me.  Nor was it brand new for the company who had produced it three times at Montgomery Theatre (1990, 1994, 2004) before the current production at the California Theatre, which I have just seen on September 9, 2012.  Still, I feel that I am just beginning to know and appreciate it.  Continue reading »

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Der Rosenkavalier MetHD Review – It gets better every time I see it

Posted on August 8, 2012 by philip

Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss
MetHD Live, January 9, 2010
Met HD Encore, January 27, 2010
MetHD Summer Encore, July 25, 2012
Cinemark, Palo Alto, CA  Continue reading »

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Postcard from Morocco Review – Unity out of Chaos

Posted on August 4, 2012 by philip

Forty-one years ago I attended the World Premiere of Dominick Argento’s Postcard from Morocco.  It was commissioned and performed by the Center Opera, an adjunct of the Walker Art Center, and the company evolved to the now well-known Minnesota Opera.  It was my first experience with a “modern” opera, and I was fascinated by it, without quite knowing why.  Continue reading »

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Pocket Opera’s Tales of Hoffmann Review – Worth Seeing Twice

Posted on July 28, 2012 by philip

The Opera-year 2012-13 promises to be a banner year for one of my favorite operas. Continue reading »

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Norma, Pocket Opera Review – Pocket Production of a Melodious Eternal Triangle

Posted on June 30, 2012 by philip

The synopsis in the program starts by bringing us up to date: Norma, a much revered, awe-inspiring spiritual and political leader  Continue reading »

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Nixon in China SFOpera Review – John Adams’ first opera

Posted on June 30, 2012 by philip

The lights dim. Applause begins near the front of the theatre and rapidly spreads. Conductor Lawrence Renes must be approaching the podium.  Sure enough, a distant head is glimpsed from our side seats in row T as he mounts and bows to the audience. All is quiet as he turns to the orchestra and raises his arms.  Continue reading »

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Magic Flute SFOpera Review – A 21st Century Production that Works

Posted on June 27, 2012 by philip

Let me begin by quoting extensively from the note by Director Harry Silverstein which appeared in the program Continue reading »

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Attila SFOpera Review – Not Verdi’s best, but the music was beautiful

Posted on June 27, 2012 by philip

Any way you look at it, Attila is not your usual opera.  Continue reading »

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Teseo Review – Donald Pippin’s Pocket Opera does it again

Posted on June 7, 2012 by philip

George Frideric Handel was a German composer living in England who wrote Italian operas based on Greek legends for an English audience.  Continue reading »

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