Let’s start by getting a couple of gripes out of the way. First, the
final act of Die Walküre does not constitute a full-length
concert, even with a distinguished cast and orchestra, and with animated
drawings fluttering on a giant screen.
Author: Gary Hoffman
A clipped Walküre in Amsterdam
History Repeating Itself: Prokofiev’s Semyon Kotko, Amsterdam Concertgebouw
A historical afternoon at the NTR Saturday Matinee occurred with an epic
concert version of Prokofiev’s Soviet Opera Semyon Kotko.
L’amour de loin at the Metropolitan Opera
Opening night at the Metropolitan is a gleeful occasion even when the
composer is long gone, but December 1st was an opening for a living composer who
has been making waves around the world and is, gasp, a woman — the second woman
composer ever to have an opera presented at the Met.
Lust for Revenge: Barenboim and Herlitzius fire up Strauss’s Elektra in Berlin
As the German language describes so beautifully, a “Schrei aus
tiefstem Herzen” was felt as Evelyn Herlitzius channelled an Elektra
from the depths of her soul.
Semyon Bychkov heading to NYC and DC with Glanert and Mahler
Heading to N.Y.C and D.C. for its annual performances, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra invited Semyon Bychkov to return for his Mahler debut with the Fifth Symphony. Having recently returned from Vienna with praise for their rendition, the orchestra now presented it at their homebase.
The new Queen of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Here is one of the next new great conductors. That’s a bold statement,
but even the L.A. Times agrees: Mirga Graûinyt?-Tyla’s appointment
“is the biggest news in the conducting world.” But Ms. Mirga
Graûinyt?-Tyla will be getting a lot of weight on her shoulders.
Falstaff at Manitoba Opera
Manitoba Opera chose to open its 44th season by going for the belly laughs — literally — as it notably presented its inaugural production of Verdi’s Falstaff.
First new Ring Cycle in 40 Years, Leipzig
Consistently overshadowed by the neighboring Bayreuth, the far less stuffy Oper Leipzig (Wagner’s birthplace) programmed after forty years their first complete Ring Cycle.
Fierce in War, dazzling in Peace: Joyce DiDonato at the Concertgebouw
Many opera singers are careful to maintain an air of political neutrality. Not so mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who is outspoken about causes she holds dear. Her latest project, a very personal response to the 2015 terror attacks in Paris, puts her audience through the emotional wringer, but also showers them with musical rewards.
Battles administration neglects FLO’s assets by defunding the program
The college administration and President Denise Battles’ recent
decision to defund the Finger Lakes Opera came as a shock to many and a concern
to more. This decision reflects the administration’s blatant disregard
for the arts and reveals a mindset that is counterproductive to the mission of
the college.