Billy Budd, foretopman — and self-styled ‘King of the Birds’ — may yearn for premonition to captain of the mizzen top, but there few spirits that fly afloat or soar in David Alden’s dark, oppressive new production of Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd.
Category: Performances
The Magic Flute in San Francisco
A feast for the eyes, a feast for the ears, a Flute from America’s heartland that goes directly to your heart.
Oliver Knussen’s Sendak operas launch the Aldeburgh Music festival
Oliver Knussen’s two operas based on books by Maurice Sendak opened this year’s Aldeburgh Music Festival in exuberant style.
Attila in San Francisco
Fanfares that celebrate soldiers with plumed helmets by a composer who donned a helmet (metaphorically) — Verdi the operatic father of the Risorgimento!
CosÏ fan tutte, Holland Park
Are my expectations too high when it comes to Mozart’s operas in general,
and to CosÏ fan tutte in general? Probably. Should they be?
Certainly.
Nixon in China, San Francisco
John Adams’ Nixon in China is an amazing, riveting piece of music, and compelling theater to boot.
Don Giovanni, Garsington Opera at Wormsley
The pavilion at Garsington Opera at Wormsley is stunningly beautiful. Just being there is an experience, which is why the social aspect is so rewarding.
Almira, operamission
There are many different ways to analyze the health of New York City. My personal measurements judge the town thus: How many aspiring artsy kids are forced to share a single apartment in an outer borough while they “find themselves” and how many small but immensely able opera companies are functional at any given time.
Bluebeard’s Castle, New World Symphony
“I can guess what you are hiding.
Bloodstain on your warrior’s weapons.
Blood upon your crown of glory.
Red the soil around your flowers.
Red the shade your cloud was throwing.
Now I know it all, oh, Bluebeard.”