The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

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Month: November 2006

  • Carmen, ou la Carmencita

    * Notes * The fourth performance of Carmen this season was yesterday, and I had the chance of seeing the performance from Box A. From there I could discern that Hadar Halévy was gasping, rather than wobbling, at least, most of the time. She has a wholesome, sunny smile. Marco Berti was rather loud, but…

  • Buona sera, mio signore

    * Notes * Il Barbiere di Siviglia closes this Thursday, and last Sunday’s performance was not bad, though I was rather distracted by reading the vocal score and not watching the stage. * Tattling * The main problem with the balcony is the latecomers, because otherwise, the sound is rather good up there. A family…

  • Carmen Reviews

    These seem opposed, which is always amusing. Contra Costa Times Review | San Francisco Chronicle Review

  • L’amour est un oiseau rebelle

    * Notes * Mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich is singing Carmen in the alternate cast at San Francisco Opera, replacing Hadar Halévy, who in turn is replacing Marina Domashenko in the regular cast. Aldrich debuted at San Francisco Opera last Saturday, her voice was strong at first, and she sang the Habanera beautifully. She also managed to…

  • Opening of Carmen

    * Notes * Yet another revival of Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s production of Carmen opened yesterday. This particular production seems to be a staple at San Francisco Opera, it comes around again every few years, the last time was in 2002, and the time before that was in 1997. This production is fairly traditional and, in truth,…

  • Manon Lescaut News

    Contra Costa Times Article | San Jose Mercury Review | San Francisco Chronicle Review

  • Carmen News

    Hadar Halévy will be singing the title role of Carmen tonight in her debut at San Francisco Opera because Marina Domashenko is ill. Press Release [PDF]

  • Opening of Manon Lescaut

    * Notes * Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Manon Lescaut opened with a matinee performance yesterday. The production, designed by Frank Philipp Schlössmann, was completely traditional, rather unlike the 2004 Der Fliegende Holländer, which was the last Lyric production to come here. This production, taken as a whole, has been my favorite thus far…

  • Fredda ed immobile

    * Notes * The seventh performance of Il Barbiere di Siviglia this season was at least better than the last I saw. Things may have been helped by standing in the balcony, where the sound is better. I could definitely hear Nathan Gunn (Figaro) more clearly except when he was in the upper room of…

  • Manon Lescaut Panel Discussion

    * Notes * Despite having a subscription to San Francisco Opera for 3 seasons, I only managed to attend my first Opera Insight Panel Discussion yesterday. The hour-long panel discussion on Puccini's third opera was moderated by music director Donald Runnicles and included soprano Karita Mattila, bass Eric Halfvarson, baritone John Hancock, and the stage…