The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

Recent posts

Month: May 2009

  • SF Performances’ 2009-2010 Season

    September 30 2009: Thomas Hampson, baritone October 4 2009: Imani Winds October 10 2009: Paula West, vocalistOctober 10 2009: Peter and Zoltán Katona, guitars October 18 2009: Juilliard String Quartet November 12-14 2009: DV8 Physical TheatreNovember 13 2009: Xuefei Yang, guitar November 16 2009: Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano December 1 2009: Angela Hewitt, pianoDecember 3 2009: Anonymous 4…

  • Zheng Cao News

    Sadly, mezzo-soprano Zheng Cao has been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Suzanna Guzmán is taking over Cao’s role of Suzuki at San Diego Opera in Madama Butterfly, which opens this weekend. Journal | Official Site

  • SF Symphony Online Social Network

    San Francisco Symphony has launched an online social network of its own. It has the catchy name of the "San Francisco Symphony Social Network." Press Release [PDF] | SFS Social Network

  • Cost Cutting at SF Opera

    San Francisco Opera's General Director has announced further cost cutting of 1 million dollars from the 2009-2010 budget. Cuts include four open positions that will not be filled for the time being, one week of unpaid leave in January for all administrative staff, no employer contributions to the 401(a) plan, employees having to contribute more to…

  • Donato Cabrera News

    Donato Cabrera has been appointed Music Director of the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra. Press Release [PDF] | Official Site of SFS

  • Götterdämmerung at the Met (Schenk)

    * Notes * Saturday's performance of Götterdämmerung ended the second Ring cycle this season at the Met. The orchestra was consistent, immaculate for the most part, though with some sour notes in the brass. The singing was all at a high level. The opening Norn scene was striking, each voice differentiated from another, and each beautiful.…

  • Prodaná nevěsta at Opera Boston

    * Notes * Opera Boston's delightful production of The Bartered Bride opened yesterday at the Cutler Majestic. The setting of the opera was updated to Spillville, Iowa, just after the Great Depression. Most of the text was sung in an English translation, though some of the choral parts were in Czech, and somehow, this actually worked.…

  • Colin Davis at BSO

    * Notes * Boston Symphony Orchestra's season ends this week with a program of Mozart and Berlioz conducted by Sir Colin Davis. The Friday matinee performance was packed, and rightfully so. The crisp, stately sound of the orchestra was a contrast with pianist Imogen Cooper's lusher tones. Ms. Cooper used a fair amount of pedal, especially…

  • Siegfried at the Met (Schenk)

    * Notes * The performance of Siegfried at the Met yesterday evening was a mixed bag. The orchestra sounded lovely, despite some roughness in the brass. The playing was deft and rich. The singing, however, left much to be desired. Siegfried himself, Christian Franz, had a rather frail sound. He had some pretty, warm moments, but…