Author Archives: Andy Manshel

Carl Maria von Weber’s ‘The Marksman,’ moved to today’s corporate world; a song cycle by composer Jake Heggie and poet and novelist Margaret Atwood, performed by baritone Joshua Hopkins in response to the murder of his sister by her ex-partner. By Heidi Waleson March 3, 2021 4:45 pm ET Trying to give Carl Maria von Weber’s “Der …

Continue reading “‘Der Freischütz’ and ‘Songs for Murdered Sisters’ Reviews: Where Relationships and Violence Meet”

Boston Lyric Opera fuses Philip Glass’s 1987 work with the story of a migrant child in detention; Washington National Opera releases a graphic novel version of Beethoven’s only opera. By Heidi Waleson‘ Feb. 2, 2021 2:32 pm ET James Darrah’s new film of “The Fall of the House of Usher,” available on Boston Lyric Opera’s operabox.tv, represents …

Continue reading “‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ and ‘Fidelio’ Reviews: Operas Updated for Our Times”

A dark opera explores the mind of a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder; a pastoral comedy features earnest lovers, meddling gods and sheep puppets. By Heidi Waleson Jan. 26, 2021 2:29 pm ET Operas directed especially for film have been an intriguing artistic byproduct of the Covid-19 pandemic, opening new interpretive avenues. A case in point is …

Continue reading “‘Soldier Songs’ and ‘Titon et L’Aurore’ Reviews: War’s Wounds and Love’s Arrow”

Now available to watch online, the Atlanta Opera’s in-person performances embraced Covid-19 restrictions as a creative challenge. By Heidi Waleson Jan. 20, 2021 1:21 pm ET The Atlanta Opera has been one of the few American companies to perform live for in-person audiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last fall, using a custom-built, open-sided tent situated on …

Continue reading “‘The Kaiser of Atlantis’ and ‘Mezzo Extravaganza’ Reviews: Outdoor Opera Resonates”

This year’s Prototype Festival features six boundary-pushing operas, most of which can be enjoyed at home. By Heidi WalesonJan. 13, 2021 5:07 pm ET The annual Prototype Festival (through Jan. 16), produced by Beth Morrison Projects and HERE, always explores new territory in chamber opera theater. This year’s iteration, restricted to digital content due to the Covid-19 …

Continue reading “Arias on Identity, Isolation and Fear”

Short pieces from 20 Irish composers, a serial space opera and a trio of works inspired by famous diaries. By Heidi Waleson Dec. 28, 2020 2:42 pm ET With opera gone digital due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fans can experience voices, composers and opera companies they might never otherwise have heard. The Irish National Opera commissioned …

Continue reading “Satisfying, Bite-Sized Operas”

A filmed production from the Los Angeles Opera spotlights the work of an 18th-century Black composer; the Boston Camerata offers a clumsy filmed staging of the Purcell classic. By Heidi Waleson Nov. 18, 2020 12:49 pm ET It turns out that pandemic times offer opportunities for new discoveries. The Los Angeles Opera, having canceled its scheduled fall …

Continue reading “‘The Anonymous Lover’ and ‘Dido and Aeneas’ Reviews: A Rediscovery and a Rehash”

Two original productions from the Royal Opera House, performed live before small audiences and viewable on the company’s website, offer a stirring reconnection to opera as it was. By Heidi Waleson Nov. 4, 2020 1:58 pm ET Listen to this article7 minutes00:00 / 07:051x Since government money subsidizes much of their activity, some opera houses in …

Continue reading “‘4/4’ and ‘New Dark Age’ Review: Streamed and Sung From London”

Director Yuval Sharon has repurposed Wagner’s ‘Götterdämmerung’ in an inventive, Covid-appropriate Michigan Theatre Opera production staged in a parking garage for an audience confined to their cars. By Heidi Waleson Oct. 19, 2020 4:50 pm ET Detroit Leave it to director Yuval Sharon to come up with a thought-provoking, original way to do live opera for …

Continue reading “‘Twilight: Gods’ Review: Drive-Through Opera in the Motor City”