Jules Massenet’s classic work received a streamlined English adaptation from Heartbeat Opera, with musical-theater performers and a focus on the seamier side of the 18th-century setting. By Heidi Waleson Feb. 17, 2026 at 5:13 pm ET A scene from ‘Manon!’ ANDREW BOYLE Brooklyn, N.Y. Heartbeat Opera’s most recent adaptation of a classic work, which just concluded a …
Continue reading “‘Manon!’ Review: In Brooklyn, an Opera’s Underbelly Revealed”
Opera Philadelphia’s world-premiere production—with a libretto by Michael R. Jackson that follows its heroine across 10 decades, each one scored by a different composer—proved a remarkably successful experiment. By Heidi Waleson Feb. 11, 2026 at 3:23 pm ET Justin Vivian Bond STEVEN PISANO Philadelphia During its not quite two years of Anthony Roth Costanzo’s leadership, Opera Philadelphia has been …
Continue reading “‘Complications in Sue’ Review: One Woman, 10 Composers”
This year’s edition of the opera and music-theater program features Sarah Kirkland Snider’s ‘Hildegard,’ about the 12th-century abbess; Susan Zeeman Rogers’s ‘Precipice,’ a story of nature and feminism; and a celebration of Beth Morrison Projects, which has been producing adventurous new opera for 20 years. By Heidi Waleson Jan. 12, 2026 at 4:35 pm ET A …
The company’s overstuffed new staging of Bellini’s final work, set during the English Civil War, proves a marvelous vocal showcase for stars Lisette Oropesa and Lawrence Brownlee. By Heidi Waleson Jan. 2, 2026 at 2:40 pm ET Lisette Oropesa and Lawrence Brownlee KEN HOWARD / MET OPERA It was fitting that the Metropolitan Opera celebrated New Year’s …
Continue reading “‘I Puritani’ Review: Beautifully Sung Bellini at the Metropolitan Opera”
At Opera Philadelphia, Vivaldi’s music meets a contemporary libretto by Sarah Ruhl; in New York, Lincoln Center Theater presents Gian Carlo Menotti’s written-for-television opera in a production starring Joyce DiDonato. By Heidi Waleson Dec. 22, 2025 at 5:19 pm ET Abigail Raiford and Megan Moore STEVEN PISANO Philadelphia “The Seasons,” an ambitious project performed last weekend by …
A new work in Washington from composer Damien Geter and librettist Jarrod Lee depicts the life and legend of the great guitarist. By Heidi Waleson Dec. 9, 2025 at 5:49 pm ET Albert R. Lee, Marvin Wayne, Anthony Ballard, Christian Simmons STORY MODE Washington At a compact 45 minutes, “The Delta King’s Blues,” given its world premiere …
Continue reading “‘The Delta King’s Blues’ Review: Robert Johnson at the Opera”
Philip Venables and Ted Huffman adapt Larry Mitchell’s classic of 1970s gay literature in a joyous, boundary-blurring event at Park Avenue Armory; also in New York, singer Kate Lindsey performed a program that tracked the career of Kurt Weill. By Heidi Waleson Dec. 5, 2025 at 5:06 pm ET Themba Mvula (center) and ensemble in the …
Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang’s ‘The Monkey King’ persuasively conjured the spirit of Chinese opera; Matthew Ozawa’s new Wagner production had admirable clarity. By Heidi Waleson Nov. 19, 2025 at 4:31 pm ET Kang Wang in ‘The Monkey King.’ CORY WEAVER/SAN FRANCISCO OPERA San Francisco Huang Ruo’s “The Monkey King,” which had its world premiere at the San …
Continue reading “A Propulsive Premiere and a Thoughtful ‘Parsifal’ at San Francisco Opera”
Les Arts Florissants performed a concert in dialogue with an exhibition devoted to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; Sonnambula, the museum’s ensemble-in-residence, collaborated with singer Davóne Tines to reconstruct a 1605 court entertainment. By Heidi Waleson Nov. 4, 2025 at 5:09 pm ET Singers of Les Arts Florissants. CHRIS SUNWOO/THE FRICK COLLECTION New York The Oct. …
Continue reading “Adventures in Early Music at the Frick Collection”
Nadine Sierra stars in the company’s new production, thoughtfully directed by Rolando Villazón, of Bellini’s opera about a woman coming up against the strictures of a Swiss village. By Heidi Waleson Oct. 8, 2025 at 5:13 pm ET Nadine Sierra in ‘La Sonnambula.’ PHOTO: MARTY SOHL/MET OPERA New York For the new Metropolitan Opera production of Vincenzo Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” …
Continue reading “‘La Sonnambula’ Review: At the Met Opera, a Sleepwalking Soprano Shines”
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