Aria Guides: Vedrai, carino

How-To

The plot thickens when we consider that Zerlina nearly left Masetto for a tryst with the Don, and pouted her way out of getting caught by basically daring Masetto to spank her for being bad. This current aria can be taken as genuine love from Zerlina, or it can be a gross display of emasculation, the operatic equivalent of saying, "Aw, did Masetto get a boo-boo?"

Aria guides: Donde lieta uscì

How-To

Lyric sopranos fall easily in love with the music that Puccini writes for Mimì. As you work with your teacher on this aria, we can help you stay on track.

Aria guides: Parmi veder le lagrime

How-To

In this aria, the Duke is angry that Gilda, the young woman he lied to in order to get into her pants was kidnapped (by other terrible men), and until he finds her he can't get into her pants yet. That's right: Gilda's kidnapping is bad for him.

Grand, if overlong, Henry VIII

Review

Of course, when the music found its dramatic stride, Saint-Saëns could deliver the drama in spades.The septet (actually an octet) that closed Act II made me wonder why it was cut to begin with, for it's the perfect musical climax to the second act.

#TheStories, part 4

Editorial

"It wasn't long after that I received a few emails from an anonymous email address, the first of which simply read, "I know I am your fantasy." I wouldn't admit it at the time, but Greg was at the top of the list of suspects."

Burlesque meets opera: OperaTease

Review

I longed for more of this full integration of the two art forms, the burlesque and opera were truly crossing paths in this entertaining act.

#TheStories, part 3

Editorial

"Finally, the evening was over and he offered to take me home in a cab. When we arrived at my apartment, he reached over and attempted to kiss me, pressing his body against me. I brushed him off and pushed him away, saying I didn’t want that and that I was in a relationship. He backed off and he drove away."

#TheStories, part 2

Editorial

"After the incident, I was cold and distant toward him for the rest of the program, and I believe that affected my chances of getting cast in any of the school's opera productions. I also decided to avoid summer programs for almost 10 years after this, and only really felt comfortable with female teachers."

A Lucretia rich in symbolism from Journey North Opera

Review

The Male Chorus (sung fiercely and with crystal clear diction by tenor Wesley Frye) was dressed as half man half stag. The Female Chorus, played by lyric soprano Amy Wolf was a more feminine version and also had antlers. The head pieces were quite ornate.

An audible huff of awe and amusement: Maria Callas in Concert

Review

Coming into this concert, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. Coming out of it, however, I felt a rekindled appreciation for Callas as a stage artist.