At a time when it is the fashion for stage direction, sets, and costumes to have little, if anything to do with the ouvre presented on stage, this production of Jean-Baptiste Lully’s PersÈe (1682) is candy for the eyes and ears, with adherence to what is known of the French Baroque operatic standards.1
Author: Gary Hoffman
A powerful, poignant Elektra at the Royal Opera House, London
“This won’t be a total Schlacht of sound” said the director, Charles Edwards, of this production. Instead, it’s a strikingly intelligent interpretation, focusing on the deeper aspects of the drama.
AÔda – English National Opera, London Coliseum
It is incredibly unfashionable nowadays to stage opera straightforwardly. Welsh National Opera’s recent lavish staging of Otello prompted a dismissive reception from the critics.
Sarah Connolly, Romeo and Giulietta
http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/2008/11/11/sarah-connoll-romeo-and-giulietta-opera-north-61634-22225993/
Oppenheimer the Opera: A review of Doctor Atomic
http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=oppenheimer-the-opera-a-review-of-d-2008-11-11
His Godunov just isn’t good enough
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/11/12/btboris112.xml
La damnation de Faust, Metropolitan Opera, NY
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/78309482-af43-11dd-a4bf-000077b07658.html
Handel’s ‘Caesar’ a musical delight
http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/performing_arts/story/884437.html
Elektra’s score is revelatory
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/show-23582883-details/The+Royal+Opera:+Elektra/showReview.do?reviewId=23584383
Mortier Stiffs City Opera; Met Drops a Bomb, Welcomes Faust
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=axVkBoHbwRc4&refer=home