In Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s work at Opera Philadelphia, a group of people all suffer from hearing a mysterious hum; at National Sawdust, Paola Prestini and Mr. Vavrek’s adaptation of a 2007 film immersed the audience in the daily routines of Mennonites in Mexico. By Heidi Waleson Oct. 2, 2024 at 2:47 pm ET Kevin …
Continue reading “‘The Listeners’ and ‘Silent Light’ Review: A Cult and a Community”
September 2024
An American opera director reveals how to inject new life into an old-fashioned artform. By Heidi Waleson Sept. 13, 2024 at 11:27 am ET A scene from Yuval Sharon’s staging of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ at the Berlin State Opera in 2019. PHOTO: MONICA RITTERSHAUS Opera is perceived as the most traditional of the performing arts—its repertory …
Continue reading “‘A New Philosophy of Opera’ Review: Curtain Calls”
Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo sings all the opera’s major parts in a brilliant, frenetic production on the Hudson River. By Heidi Waleson Sept. 9, 2024 at 5:42 pm ET Anthony Roth Costanzo PHOTO: NINA WESTERVELT New York “The Marriage of Figaro” is the ultimate ensemble opera, so what happens when one person sings all the parts? The …
Continue reading “‘The Marriage of Figaro’ Review: Little Island’s One-Man Mozart”
Nymphs, pirates and a wizard feature in this year’s edition of the festival in upstate New York, which offers a balanced rendition of ‘La Calisto,’ a vibrant production of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ and a premiere of the youth opera ‘Rumpelstiltskin and the Unlovable Children.’ By Heidi Waleson Aug. 14, 2024 at 4:52 pm ET Tshilidzi …
Continue reading “Glimmerglass Festival Review: Between History and Fantasy”
The summer program includes the world premiere of ‘The Righteous’ along with four classics—‘Der Rosenkavalier,’ ‘La Traviata,’ ‘Don Giovanni’ and ‘The Elixir of Love’—brought closer to the present. By Heidi Waleson Aug. 5, 2024 at 6:15 pm ET Michael Mayes and the Santa Fe Opera ensemble PHOTO: CURTIS BROWN Santa Fe, N.M. “The Righteous,” having its world premiere …
Continue reading “Santa Fe Opera Review: Time-Swapped Tales of Love”
At Bard SummerScape and Lincoln Center, three operas depict fiery conflicts and family feuds, from a Reformation-era religious rebellion to a timeless tale of ill-fated lovers. By Heidi Waleson July 30, 2024 at 4:58 pm ET Jennifer Feinstein and Robert Watson in ‘Le Prophète.’ PHOTO: ANDY HENDERSON Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. This season’s opera rarity at Bard SummerScape is Giacomo …
Three operas portray the trancelike state of love, from a world-premiere production exploring the intimate bond between John Singer Sargent and his male studio model to Debussy’s classic tragedy and Purcell’s intoxicating adaptation of Shakespeare. By Heidi Waleson July 22, 2024 at 5:27 pm ET Justin Austin and William Burden in ‘American Apollo.’ PHOTO: CORY …
At Little Island, the life and repertoire of the controversial singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson were explored in a new work performed by Mr. Tines and conceived by the bass-baritone and director Zack Winokur. By Heidi Waleson July 1, 2024 at 5:30 pm ET Khari Lucas and Davóne Tines. PHOTO: PHOTO: JULIETA CERVANTES New York Little …
Continue reading “‘Robeson’ Review: Davóne Tines as the Tortured Hero”
The Opera Theatre of Saint Louis presents a 2002 chamber work by Philip Glass, along with trimmed and translated Handel and Puccini stagings with a modern feel. By Heidi Waleson June 24, 2024 at 5:19 pm ET Vanessa Becerra and Sean Michael Plumb in ‘Galileo.’ PHOTO: ERIC WOOLSEY Webster Groves, Mo. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis makes …
AndyManshel.nyc 