Category Archives: Opera Review

Aida Review – West Bay Opera presents a gem of a production

Posted on May 26, 2012 by philip

Last night, Friday May 25, 2012, I saw my third different production of Aida in three years.  In a sense, I can honestly say that each of them is the “best” that I have ever seen:   The MetHD in 2009 was the best HD, San Francisco Opera in 2010 was the best large-theatre, and last night’s West Bay Opera was the best small-theatre.  Continue reading »

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Ruddigore Review II – Stanford Savoyards complete their afternoon of eerie fun

Posted on May 24, 2012 by philip

“What’s in a name?” asks the Bard.  A great deal, according to the appearance and actions of Richard Copperwaite, a welcome import from England.  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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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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