The problem with all myths is that there is no such thing as an Urtext. They’re handed down from one generation to the next, and it’s a very long stretch from…
Category: Staged Operas
Kentridge’s Die Zauberflöte adds Christmasy touches at the New National Theatre, Tokyo
In December, Japanese theatres and concert halls customarily perform two blockbusters: Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Now, a third seasonal piece might have been discovered: certainly William Kentridge’s 2005…
Rossini’s Guillaume Tell Triumphs at the New National Theatre Tokyo
To most Japanese, the overture of Guillaume Tell (William Tell) is familiar, evoking memories of Sports Day at elementary school. Nevertheless, this was the first full-scale staged production of Rossini’s…
ENO’s fun-filled Pirates of Penzance
Currently showing at the Coliseum, few would argue this revival of Mike Leigh’s Pirates of Penzance isn’t entertaining. Never mind the absurd storyline involving an apprentice pirate whose wish to…
Fanny and Alexander: world premiere of Mikael Karlsson’s opera at La Monnaie, Brussels
Not only are Ingmar Bergman’s films very ‘operatic’ in their poetic but visceral way of dealing with matters of life and death, opera as an art form had a place…
Flamboyant Rake’s Progress from Opéra national de Paris
The stars are truly aligned for this latest revival of Olivier Py’s Rake’s Progress, a glitzy production first unveiled at the Palais Garnier in 2008. Underpinned by a strong international…
Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, directed by Barbara Gaines and first featured during the 2015-16 season, has returned to Lyric Opera of Chicago. While audiences…
Fine singing in English National Opera’s new production of The Elixir of Love
OK, so here’s the deal. I can sell you a love potion which will make the object of your desire fall head over heels in love with you. Guaranteed. You…
Carmen in San Francisco
Francesca Zambello’s 2006 Covent Garden Carmen rehashed once again by San Francisco Opera. This time with French mezzo-soprano Eve-Maud Hubeaux in the title role. In 2017 alone Mme. Hubeaux transformed…
Why aligning yourself with Satanic forces is never a good idea: Staatsoper Hamburg’s new production of Der Freischütz
It’s not an uncommon experience for people to wake up in the middle of the night, believing they have heard unsettling noises, or feeling those early palpitations of concern about…