Topsy Turvy, Mike Leigh’s 1999 film starring Timothy Spall and Jim Broadbent, dramatized the fraught working relationship of William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan; it won four Oscar nominations (garnering two Academy Awards, for costume and make-up) and is a wonderful exploration of the creative process of bringing a theatrical work to life.
Category: Reviews
Manitoba Opera: Turandot
There’s little doubt that Puccini’s Turandot is a flawed, illogical fairytale. Yet it continues to resonate today with its undying “love shall conquer all” ethos, where even the most heinous crimes may be forgiven by that which makes the world go ‘round.
Mariachi Opera El Pasado Nunca se Termina Comes to San Diego
On April 25, 2015, San Diego Opera presented it’s second Mariachi opera: El Pasado Nunca se Termina (The Past is Never Finished) by Jose “Pepe” Martinez, Leonard Foglia and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitl·n.
Antonio Pappano: Royal Opera House Orchestral Concerts
Ambition achieved! Antonio Pappano brought the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House out of the pit and onto the stage, the centre of attention in their own right.
Bed?ich Smetana: Dalibor, Barbican Hall
Ji?Ì B?lohl·vek’s annual Czech opera series at the Barbican, London, with the BBC SO continued with Bed?ich Smetana’s Dalibor.
Orlando Explores Art Without Boundaries
R.B. Schlather’s production of Handel’s Orlando asks the enigmatic question: Where do the boundaries of performance art begin, and where do they end?
The Virtues of Things
A good number of recent shorter operas, particularly those performed in this country, made a stronger impression with their libretti than their scores.
KrÛl Roger, Royal Opera
It has taken almost 89 years for Karol Szymanowski’s KrÛl Roger to reach the stage of Covent Garden.
Hercules vs Vampires: Film Becomes Opera!
In the early sixties, Italian film director Mario Bava was making pictures with male body builders whose well oiled physiques appeared spectacular on the screen.
San Diego Opera Celebrates 50 Years of Great Singing
San Diego Opera, the company that General Manager Ian Campbell had scheduled for demolition, proved that it is alive and singing as beautifully as ever. Its 2015 season was cut back slightly and management has become a bit leaner, but the company celebrated its fiftieth season in fine style with a concert that included many of the greatest arias ever written.