Reviews

Grand opera & cloudy politics in Il Postino

Grand opera & cloudy politics in Il Postino

It's a sour and tragic ending for an otherwise delightful love story. Moreover, the political subplot of the opera has a vagueness to it that leaves you wondering what its point of view is.

Molly Simoneau
Fellow Travelers a cathartic, necessary affair

Fellow Travelers a cathartic, necessary affair

As Thomas Mallon said in the TalkBack after the performance, the suffering of LGBT+ people brought on by witch-hunting politicians in the 50s was unspeakable, and it is a place he hopes we never return to.

Arturo Fernandez
Khalil "pristine," Barrett "exquisite" in whimsical production of La bohème

Khalil "pristine," Barrett "exquisite" in whimsical production of La bohème

Calgary-born director Brenna Corner should be celebrated for her vision in making this production so memorable. Her sense of whimsy permeated everything, from the character relationships to the set design, resulting in an experience where one can sit back and let the drama unfold.

Oliver Munar
The evil banality of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at Oper Frankfurt

The evil banality of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at Oper Frankfurt

Both Kampe and Golovnin are extraordinary in terms of vocal technique and stamina. Neither voice diminished noticeably by the end of what is an enormously challenging sing. But neither voice translates the overwhelming circumstances of the opera into music that matches its stakes. Points for consistency, but where was the drama?

Jeremy Hirsch
Room & Board hosts hilarious triple-bill

Room & Board hosts hilarious triple-bill

And yet, something about the confines of the store were perfect for producing the triple-bill of short operas by Jonathan Bailey Holland that graced Room & Board, courtesy of Boston Opera Collaborative, and it led to a very entertaining, and frequently hilarious, night at the opera.

Arturo Fernandez
A fab kick-off to the FireWorks Festival: Belle Darling Klondike Queen

A fab kick-off to the FireWorks Festival: Belle Darling Klondike Queen

It's not just a historical vaudeville hoot, but it's as different as it could be from the other two on the line-up - the social-media tragedy of Crystal Wood's Grief Circus, and the feminist-Cinderella of If the Shoe Fits.

Jenna Simeonov
Stellar performances from a star cast in Chicago's Dead Man Walking

Stellar performances from a star cast in Chicago's Dead Man Walking

Graham's performance is gut-wrenchingly sincere and she's as vocally resplendent as ever, even when her voice seems on the verge of breaking with emotion.

Hannah De Priest
Ambitious & epochal: Saul at Houston Grand Opera

Ambitious & epochal: Saul at Houston Grand Opera

The performance I saw was a microcosm of Houston at her best, a perfect example of the glorious, if not uncontroversial, results of numerous talented individuals combining their efforts to create something far bigger than the sum of its parts.

Andrew Schneider
Treat yourself to WNO's Magic Flute

Treat yourself to WNO's Magic Flute

A cast of charismatic singing actors with impeccable comic timing to go with their across-the-board excellent Mozartean singing are the whipped cream and cherry on top of this operatic ice cream sundae.

Molly Simoneau
Karah Son a "true jewel" of Opera Omaha's Madama Butterfly

Karah Son a "true jewel" of Opera Omaha's Madama Butterfly

"Son's entire demeanor shifted in this scene from distraught mess to calm intensity. The effect was quite jarring, ending the opera with a truly tragic shock."

Meghan Klinkenborg

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