Reviews

Michael Tilson Thomas takes on Ruggles: Mozart & Mahler

Michael Tilson Thomas takes on Ruggles: Mozart & Mahler

Thomas knew Ruggles as well as anyone could get to know this feisty Yankee, prone to being stubborn, cranky and downright disagreeable. Nonetheless, Thomas championed Ruggles, recording his complete music with the Buffalo Philharmonic and including his works with some frequency on programs in San Francisco.

John Hohmann
Distant, Emotional Brokeback Mountain A Paradoxical Success

Distant, Emotional Brokeback Mountain A Paradoxical Success

I would say that Wuorinen has done Proulx's story justice, and breathed new, interesting life into what is already considered an important narrative in LGBTQ storytelling.

Arturo Fernandez
Merrily The Rake's Progress rolls along

Merrily The Rake's Progress rolls along

It is apparent that one doesn't question the avant-garde at Mannes, but welcomes it. Recent productions of Robert Ashley's conceptual Dust and Philip Glass' rarely performed The Fall of the House of Usher reinforce that point. And there is enough invention in Stravinsky's composition and the beautiful libretto by W.H. Auden with Chester Kallman, (a satisfying read in its own right) to keep these gifted singers and musicians on their toes.

John Hohmann
'i': opera run by the cool kids

'i': opera run by the cool kids

The design of the opera, under the obviously careful eye of Kofen, felt almost Bauhaus-inspired, which really worked with the bonkers nature of both the libretto (also by Kofen) and the music and the DIY nature of the costumes (mostly made out of waste paper, hence the company's name).

Vivian Darkbloom
Audra McDonald and the Art of Perfection

Audra McDonald and the Art of Perfection

She let us know that she considers herself "a champion of new composers." "That way," she told us, maybe only half-joking, "I'll still have a job in the future." She reminded us that Jason Robert Brown was once a "new composer" and proffered his "Stars and Moon" which has become one of her signature songs.

Loren Lester
Love Potion Number Nein

Love Potion Number Nein

Mr. Mitisek and Long Beach Opera have built their world-renowned reputations on new works and the discovery of neglected treasures from the past. Mr. Martin's 1942 opera does not fit into either category.

Loren Lester
Verdi's tragedy in jest

Verdi's tragedy in jest

To protect his daughter from the Duke (and his entourage of like-minded cruel courtiers), Rigoletto hides her from the real world. She isn't allowed to venture outside, except to go to church. And that's where the Duke spies her and decides he must have her. There is an abundance of well-placed irony throughout the drama.

Loren Lester
Ravishing Orphic Moments with Gluck, Aucoin & Costanzo

Ravishing Orphic Moments with Gluck, Aucoin & Costanzo

The work has finally reached a larger New York audience with two performances in an elegantly expanded version at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater. It features the 130-member MasterVoices and the Orchestra of St. Luke's. Smartly directed by Zack Winokur, the production has a sleek and courtly feel, enhance by Stacey Berman's stylish costumes.

John Hohmann
5 Frankenstein-themed shorts leave you wanting more

5 Frankenstein-themed shorts leave you wanting more

In spite of the fact that it's hard to tell a story in twenty minutes, I walked away from this exciting evening hungry for more short bonbons of opera. I was grateful for the theme of the evening, which the creative teams either ran with or ran away from.

John Beckett
Thaïs: dazzling score, dazzling set, dazzling cast

Thaïs: dazzling score, dazzling set, dazzling cast

I have liked every production in the Minnesota Opera this year, but after this one, I felt that the creative team had been holding out on us. Thaïs blew the rest of the season out of the water. The lighting (Marcus Dilliard), sets and costumes (Lorenzo Cutuli) were perfect. The creative team came out and took a bow, and they certainly deserved it.

Callie Cooper

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