Paris Palais Garnier 12/04/2004 – et 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 19, 22, 27 décembre 2004 Georg Friedrich Haendel : Hercules Joyce DiDonato (Dejanira), William Shimell (Hercules), Malena Ernman (Lichas),…
Category: Reviews
Der Rosenkavalier at Helsinki
A triumphant ‘Rosenkavalier’ By George Loomis International Herald Tribune Wednesday, December 8, 2004 HELSINKI Far be it from me to foment rivalry between sopranos, but Finland has another who is…
Rigoletto at Amsterdam (and an appraisal of tenor Joseph Calleja)
How does it come about that “modern” productions date so quickly while “traditional” ones can go on for ages ? Probably, because ideas that once were fresh and innovative are…
RAUTAVAARA: The House of the Sun
The House of the Sun Einojuhani Rautavaara, music and libretto Ondine 1032-2D Oulu Symphony orchestra Mikko Franck, conductor The recording company Ondine, based in Helsinki, has built itself an international…
VERDI: A Masked Ball
A Masked Ball Giuseppe Verdi, music and Antonio Somma, libretto English translation by Amanda Holden Chandos 3116 (2) London Philharmonic Orchestra David Parry, conductor In an era where major record…
Los Angeles Philharmonic Tristan Project
I spent a spectacular three days in Walt Disney Concert Hall taking in the magnificent music of Richard Wagner in what has been entitled The Tristan Project. At first, when…
Berlioz in Boston
Not strictly opera, but so full of the usual suspects . . . My experience of Berlioz’s Dramatic Symphony Romeo et Juliette (R&J) came full circle last night at Boston’s…
Anne Sofie von Otter at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris
Troubadour des temps modernes bq. Avec toujours un meme gout pour l’éloquente clarté, Anne Sofie von Otter sait tout faire. Bete de scène inespérée, elle est récitaliste sans appret ni…
Praises for Rodelinda at the Met
Review: ‘Rodelinda’ at Met Is Masterpiece MIKE SILVERMAN Associated Press NEW YORK – George Frideric Handel’s “Rodelinda” was a huge success at its London premiere in 1725, but it soon…
WARRACK: German Opera — From the Beginnings to Wagner
Writing a history of an important and complex operatic repertory spanning three dynamic centuries is a daunting task, one that is perhaps better suited to several specialists than a single author. While an individual rarely possesses the scholarly breadth to write with expertise and authority on so much music, he or she can impart a unifying perspective and a consistent set of goals. But this advantage can also prove to be a limitation.