The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Month: September 2008
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* Notes * San Francisco Opera's 35th Opera in the Park event was conductor Donald Runnicles' last as music director. The performance was delightful and the orchestra sounded lovely. The afternoon began with Korngold's music from the film Captain Blood. This music was played well, but it was a bit silly out of context. Various Adler…
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* Notes * Soprano Angela Gheorghiu gave a recital yesterday evening with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra conducted by Marco Armiliato. The orchestra sounded fine, the overture to Le Nozze was spirited, and the overture to Cenerentola was absolutely adorable. However, Gheorghiu was overwhelmed by the orchestra, especially near the end. Though one could always…
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* Notes * Though lovely, San Francisco Opera’s opening night performance of Simon Boccanegra did not quite catch on fire, despite the heat and an apparent earthquake. The production, directed by David Edwards, is pleasantly simple and Michael Yeargan’s serviceable set is both attractive and quiet. Peter J. Hall’s period costumes are gorgeous, but best of all is…
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This morning I got to the standing room line in front of the War Memorial Opera House at 5:15am and I was still second in line. Bested yet again by Deidra of the Opera Standees Association. The next person arrived at 7:30am, but by the time the box office opened there were about 15 people…
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Los Angeles Opera's Behind the Curtain podcast has been updated with 6 episodes, all interviews of the artists in Il Trittico, which opens the season this Saturday. One imagines further content on The Fly and other upcoming operas are forthcoming. Behind the Curtain | Official Site
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* Notes * The final dress rehearsal of San Francisco Opera's Simon Boccanegra was impressive. Elijah Moshinsky's Covent Garden production is the one that premiered at San Francisco in 2001 during the Verdi Festival. The sillier parts of the production were removed, Verdi does not appear, and no one is wrapped in blue fabric. The transitions between scenes are…
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Annette Dasch is singing Elsa in 2010 at the Bayreuther Festspiele. Adrienne Pieczonka will sing Senta in 2012. APF Article | Official Site
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Eva Wagner-Pasquier and Katharina Wagner have been chosen to lead the Bayreuther Festspiele. New York Times Article | Press Release
The Opera Tattler 