By ALLAN KOZINN [NY Times, 11 December 2009]
The Manhattan School of Music Opera Theater keeps its students on their toes with a balance of unusual works they may never sing again and standard repertory that they will sing plenty. The audiences for these productions stand to benefit either way. The Manhattan School has a fine track record for turning out singers of consequence: Susan Graham and Dolora Zajick are among the program’s alumni. And its repertory choices have been discerning. Though the Metropolitan Opera is getting around to Shostakovich’s “Nose” this season, the Manhattan School staged it in 1985.