‘Tristan und Isolde’ Review: At the Met Opera, Wagner’s Vast World

Director Yuval Sharon’s company debut is an imaginative, expansive production headed by two top-flight singers, Lise Davidsen and Michael Spyres. By  Heidi Waleson Lise Davidsen and Michael Spyres. MET OPERA New York In his 2024 book, “A New Philosophy of Opera,” the American director Yuval Sharon offered a radical vision for an art form that is often mired …

‘Complications in Sue’ Review: One Woman, 10 Composers

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 …

‘The Delta King’s Blues’ Review: Robert Johnson at the Opera

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 …

Opera in Europe: Established but Adventurous

Recent productions in Germany and the Netherlands—of classics, curiosities and contemporary works by composers ranging from Strauss to Saariaho—powerfully exemplified the scene’s risk-taking artistic ethos. By  Heidi Waleson April 7, 2025 at 4:43 pm ET The company of Offenbach’s ‘Die Schöne Helena.’ PHOTO: IKO FREESE Berlin; Dresden, Germany; Amsterdam New Yorkers who visit Berlin often feel at home—the …