The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Month: October 2008
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* Notes * The opening performance of Boris Godunov last night at San Francisco Opera was decidedly lackluster. Stein Winge's production, originally for the Grand Théâtre de Genève, is thoroughly undramatic. For the most part the singers simply wandered aimlessly or just stood and sang. The crowd in Scene 2 was especially pathetic. When Boris threw gold at them, they barely…
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Here is the Opernphrenologe's review of the new Eugene Onegin production at the Berliner Staatsoper. I admit I did some heavy editing to get it closer to the style of the Opera Tattler, but there was only so much I could do. We'll get to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. * Notes * After seeing this…
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So far, the 2009-2010 season at San Francisco Opera is rumored to include: Die Entführung aus dem SeraglioLa Fanciulla del West with Deborah Voigt and Salvatore LicitraLa Fille du Régiment with Juan Diego Florez and Diana DamrauThe Makropoulos Case with Karita MattilaMefistofele directed by William Friedkin with René PapePeter Grimes directed by John Copley with…
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The Opernphrenologe was recently in Berlin and what follows is her rather entertaining review of Tosca. A review of Eugene Onegin is forthcoming. * Notes * The set was boring, so boring. Are these people on a budget or something? I can't even describe it, it was so dull. As for the cast, Tosca…
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Here is the promised review from the Opernphrenologe. I must say that I'm quite jealous that she got to attend a performance of this production. However, I hear there is to be a DVD release, so at least there is that to look forward to. * Notes * The recent production of Händel's Partenope…
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Some months ago I learned that Andreas Scholl was to sing Partenope at the Royal Danish Theatre, and pestered my friend whom we'll call the Opernphrenologe into going, as she is rather closer to Copenhagen than I am. The Opernphrenologe also went to a performance of La Traviata, and what follows are her (edited) observations.…
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* Notes * Tom Stoppard’s Rock ‘n’ Roll opened the 2008-2009 season at ACT last month and closes tomorrow. The play includes the years between the Prague Spring (1968) and the Velvet Revolution (1989), with a distinct focus on Syd Barrett, The Plastic People of the Universe, and Václav Havel. The production, directed by Carey Perloff, included…
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Production Web Site | Press Photographs Interviews: John Copley | Alice Coote | Genia Kühmeier 2008 Performance Reviews: The Opera Tattler | Not For Fun Only | SFist | San Francisco Classical Voice | Contra Costa Times | San Francisco Chronicle
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* Notes * The opening performance of Idomeneo at San Francisco Opera started off a bit shaky, but did hit its stride by the second act. John Copley's 1999 production has a very similar look to his Ariodante seen at the War Memorial earlier this year. Certainly this is no surprise, as the productions…
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The Opera Tattler was not able to attend the final dress for Idomeneo last Saturday, so sent one Dodaro in her stead. Below are Dodaro's comments. * Notes * The final dress rehearsal of San Francisco Opera's Idomeneo was promising. The singing was generally strong. Neptune's wrath included an awful lot of strobe light flashes.…
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