A clarifying and revelatory evening with Schubert and Jonas Kaufmann

Review

The tenor's wrenching interpretations of the cycle's 14 songs while performing strenuous physical movement left no doubt that he was as wholly committed to the rigors of Doppelgänger as he was to the rueful Schwanengesang.

Julia Bullock: A miraculous evening from Schubert to Nina Simone

Review

Eschewing any trace of strained posturing or winking high-art condescension she embellished each group of songs with a musical aura; a subtle shift in posture, a theatrical gaze reflecting her oneness with the music and a spot-on sense of purpose.

The Flying Dutchman sets sail at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Review

It remains essential to engage in a nuanced conversation about the intricate legacy of the man behind the music. The Flying Dutchman, with its timeless themes of love, redemption, and eternal yearning continues to captivate audiences, even as we grapple with the enduring shadows of Wagner's beliefs.

Karen Chia-Ling Ho's 'star-making' performance in BLO's thoughtful Madama Butterfly

Review

It is effectively trading one overdone opera death for another, but I think this decision to change who dies at the end of the story is still one of the most brilliant aspects of the production.

An absolute triumph of comedy: DMMO's Love for Three Oranges

Review

Every scene was controlled chaos, and despite the insanity onstage, I couldn't look away.

DMMO's The Falling and the Rising forces you to feel

Review

While this contemporary work has had several productions in recent years, these two performances are the first to take place on an active military base, a location that makes the touching story all the more poignant.

Sharing the burden: dwb (driving while black)

Review

White audience members were challenged to confront the discomfort brought on by the opera and the discussion, to sit with the trauma as black individuals must each and every day.

Dark romance & psychological horror in Des Moines Metro Opera's Bluebeard

Review

Des Moines Metro Opera's cutting edge production of Bluebeard's Castle breathed new life into an underrated opera, blending the digital and traditional in a seamless immersive display.

Des Moines Metro Opera offers musically triumphant Carmen

Review

Carmen is an audience favorite for a reason, so why change what already works? The historical setting is familiar and expected, but the themes of this passionate tale still hit hard.

Highway 1, U.S.A and Down in the Valley: Unearthing Americana

Review

The relationship between Bob, Mary and Nate is completely convincing thanks to the outstanding performances of Mr. McNichols Jr., Ms. Crump and Mr. Morgans, respectively. Their voices are ascendant; they master both the height and width necessary for composer Still's score.