Tag Archives: Verdi

Falstaff SFOpera Review – A first rate Treatment with a strong Bass

Posted on October 22, 2013 by philip

When you start with a plot by Shakespeare, music by Verdi, libretto by Boito, an orchestra conducted by Nicola Luisotti, and title role sung by Bryn Terfel, it is not surprising that the result is a wonderful evening of entertainment.  Continue reading »

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Falstaff OSJ Review – ‘Tis the Season to be Merry (Wives of Windsor, that is)

Posted on September 9, 2013 by philip

I’ve read the script a couple of times, but I’ve never seen a performance of Shakespeare’s play, The Merry Wives of Windsor. I did see Nicolai’s opera of that title this summer, but it’s been 12 years since I last saw Verdi’s masterpiece, Falstaff. That drought is being ended with a vengeance this fall. Yesterday, September 8, 2013, I saw Opera San JosÉ perform it, and I’m looking forward to seeing it again on the 15th with the other cast. Continue reading »

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Otello Review – West Bay Opera does Moor with Less

Posted on May 24, 2013 by philip

Last night, May 23, 2013, West Bay Opera demonstrated again how a small opera company can present a big opera. Try as I may, I can’t think of anything negative to say about their production of Verdi’s Otello. But how do you begin to write a review when you want to rave about all aspects of the production? Continue reading »

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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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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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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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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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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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La Traviata Part 1 – A Thrilling Rendition of an Old Favorite

Posted on February 15, 2012 by philip

Our church service each Sunday includes a section called “Caring and Sharing” at which we are invited to share our “Joys and Sorrows”.  Well, what happened to me after the service last Sunday, February 12 2012 was both a Joy and a Sorrow.  The Joy was seeing and hearing Rebecca Davis as Violetta in Opera San JosÉ’s production of  La Traviata  Continue reading »

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Macbeth – an ROH production of Verdi’s darkest opera

Posted on August 7, 2011 by philip

Verdi’s Macbeth is a dark opera. It is relentlessly dark. There is no hint of a chuckle, no glimmer of romance anywhere in it. Of course, Shakespeare’s play is pretty dark, Continue reading »

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