Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Review: Wrenching Drama and Vicious Satire

The world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s searing “Fire Shut Up In My Bones”; a remarkably modern production of Monteverdi’s “The Coronation of Poppea”; a generic take on Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” Davóne Tines as Charles Blow in ‘Fire Shut Up in My Bones’ Photo: Eric Woolsey By Heidi Waleson June 25, 2019 2:43 pm ET Webster Groves, …

MICHAEL JAFFEE (1938 – 2019) #michaeljaffee

I was deeply sorry to read of the passing of Michael Jaffee. Michael was one of the most interesting and generous people I have had the privilege of knowing. He invited me to join the board of Chamber Music America, which he founded, on which I served with great pleasure for a decade. Not having …

The Central Park Five’ Review: Questions of Crime and Punishment

Anthony Davis’s new work at Long Beach Opera has potent music, but it struggles to turn its ripped-from-the-headlines story into satisfying drama. Nathan Granner as Khorey Wise, Cedric Berry as Yusef Salaam, Orson Van Gay as Raymond Santana, Derrell Acon as Antron McCray and Bernard Holcomb as Kevin Richardson Photo: Keith Ian Polakoff By Heidi …

Orlando’ Review: Unearthing a Gem

Romantic jealousies and magical interventions lead to all kinds of complications in this stunning production of Agostino Steffani’s forgotten gem at the Boston Early Music Festival. A scene from ‘Orlando’ PHOTO: KATHY WITTMANByHeidi Waleson June 12, 2019 2:01 p.m. ET Boston The Boston Early Music Festival has unearthed a forgotten Baroque opera gem—Agostino Steffani’s “Orlando generoso” (1691)—and …