100 years later, Boulanger's opera gets North American premiere

Review

The opera's intended 1914 premiere at the Opéra Comique was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War I during which time the original orchestrations were lost. The origins of the Boulanger-Pugno work are almost as fraught with circumstance as D'Annunzio's libretto.

In transition, Boston Baroque's Don Giovanni shows very few bumps

Review

Boston Baroque's casting absolutely knocked it out of the park when it came to casting this particular production. It's a very rare time at the opera where I can say I feel everyone was memorable in their own way, but this performance had probably one of the best ensemble casts I've had the pleasure to watch.

Stellar singing and lots of swagger in Manitoba Opera's Carmen

Review

For Carmen the opera to really succeed, you need an exceptional Carmen like Ms. Costa-Jackson.

Fifties Futurism Figaro

Review

Their antics in act III were so funny that the music had to repeatedly pause because the audience was roaring with laughter.

Surrealism in Spain: Pacific Opera Victoria's Ainadamar

Review

Akin to a photographic vignette, each 'image' is a static setting onstage with highly stylized scenery, projections, and costumes. While the imagery is visually lush and brilliant, it made the pacing extremely slow, with little on-stage action to complement the modern design.

Vancouver Opera's Mod cats Don Pasquale

Review

Vocally, Polese was triumphant, breezing through incredibly difficult coloratura with such skill that it looked effortless.

Simplicity strikes a chord in BLO Anonymous Lover

Review

This opera is a rather simple affair, where the entire storyline is 'Valcour loves Leontine and absolutely cannot spit it out until their mutual friends and a young peasant couple in love inspire him to do so', and… that's it.

Archibald shines in COC's whimsical, physical Vixen

Review

While the direction was creative and clear for the most part, I felt the show was trying to tackle too many struggles in a way that I think somewhat detracted from what I assume the primary allegory is: the need for feminism.

Thrilling debuts and stellar alumni in the COC's Don Giovanni

Review

The set and design were a technical marvel. The massive stage was filled with a giant cube, with morphing walls and configurations set on a revolve. There seemed to be an endless amount of staircases.

High notes and deep emotion: don't miss FGO's I pagliacci

Review

Together, Pulliam and Brown form a powerhouse duo, breathing life into the timeless narrative of I pagliacci.