The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Month: November 2008
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* Notes * James Gaffigan conducted San Francisco Symphony in a program of Russian music last weekend. The evening began with Tchaikovsky, first his Voyevoda, which was rather incidental, but played well, and then his Violin Concerto. The soloist in the latter was the famed Hilary Hahn, and she could be both ferociously aggressive…
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Gerard Mortier is to be the next artistic director of Teatro Real in Madrid. Canadian Press Article | Official Site
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* Notes * Pianist Sarah Cahill gave a presentation on her project entitled A Sweeter Music at Mills College last night. The name comes from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quote "We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody that is far superior to the discords of war." 18 composers are participating, writing…
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Tenor Joseph Calleja is not making his debut at San Francisco Opera after all. He has withdrawn from the three performances as Rodolfo in La Bohème he was scheduled for due to illness. He will be replaced by Marius Brenciu, who will be having his US debut with the performance on November 29. Press Release [PDF]…
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* Notes * Hauschka played a prepared piano concert with members of The Magik*Magik Orchestra last night at the Hotel Utah. The sounds produced by prepared piano can be rather harpsichord-like, which has a certain appeal. The accompaniment of two celli, two violins, and two oboes was also pleasing, the playing was strong, particularly on the part of cellist…
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* Notes * Director Robert Lepage's production La Damnation de Faust was shown as a simulcast over the weekend. His Met debut certainly had the marks of a production from that company. Carl Fillion's set was not entirely unlike the one for Doctor Atomic from a few weeks ago, both being vertical and grid-like.…
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* Notes * Michael Tilson Thomas and San Francisco Symphony continued their Mahler recording project with Mahler's Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major, the so-called Symphony of a Thousand. The work struck me as a bit strange, the first part being in Latin and rather religious in feel, whereas the second part is in German, and…
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* Notes * Paul Haas conducted Berkeley Symphony in a program of Penman, Barber, and Tchaikovsky last Thursday at Zellerbach Hall. The California premiere of Songs the Plants Taught Us by Joshua Penman was apropos for Berkeley, though it did veer into kitsch at times. The soloist for Barber's Violin Concerto, Op. 14, Danielle…
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* Notes * Trio Mediæval had a concert last Sunday at Herbst Theatre. The singing certainly had a hypnotic quality, and the singers’ voices sounded perfectly beautiful together. Some of the percussion from Birger Mistereggen was silly, though I very much liked the use of hand chimes. * Tattling * The audience was well-behaved. There was…
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David Gockley reiterated his statement from last Sunday's Bohème, that though productions might cut or would be less elaborate, San Francisco Opera would never compromise on vocal quality, despite a downturn in the economy. He also gave hints on San Francisco Opera's latest commissions, the topics include heroism and 9/11, Mary Magdalene, and Hurricane Katrina.
The Opera Tattler 