The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

Recent posts

Month: March 2015

  • Meredith Monk at YBCA

    * Notes * Composer and vocalist Meredith Monk (pictured left) and her ensemble are currently performing On Behalf of Nature at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. The opening performance on Friday was mesmerizing. The six singers all move beautifully, and it is impressive that one of them, Allison Sniffen, plays keyboards, violin,…

  • Pasticcina Norma

    Act I Scene 1 of Norma takes place in a Gaulish forest at night. Here the Druids assemble and Norma (Sondra Radvanovsky) prays to the moon goddess for peace. Details of Painting | Performance Reviews of Norma

  • Rachel Podger at PBO

    * Notes * Violinist Rachel Podger (pictured left, photograph by Jared Sacks) lead Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in Vivaldi concerti from La cetra, La stravaganza, and L’estro armonico recently. The performance at the SFJazz Center last Friday in San Francisco was fiery. Podger had the eleven violinists and three violists standing, and lead with warmth and intelligence.…

  • San Diego Opera’s 2016 Season

    February 13-21 2016: ToscaApril 16-24 2016: Madama ButterflyMay 7-15 2016: Great Scott The 2016 season at San Diego Opera was announced today and consists of two Puccini works and the West Coast premiere of Jake Heggie’s latest opera. Greer Grimsley, Latonia Moore, Ferruccio Furlanetto, and Patricia Racette return to San Diego Opera. Important Company debuts…

  • Cecilia Bartoli Cancels Tour 2015

    Cecilia Bartoli has canceled her West Coast Sacrificium tour, due to "unforeseen circumstances." She was to have performed with Sergio Ciomei in Santa Monica on March 21 and 26, in Costa Mesa on March 23, and in Berkeley on March 31 and April 2. The Broad Stage | Philharmonic Society of Orange County | Cal…

  • San Diego Opera and David Bennett

    San Diego Opera's new General Director is David Bennett, the former Executive Director of Gotham Chamber Opera. Press Release | Official Site

  • SF Opera Audited Financial Results 2013-2014

    San Francisco Opera’s 91st season started on September 6, 2013 and finished on July 13, 2014. Eight operas were held at the War Memorial Opera House in 68 performances. The Company concluded Fiscal Year 2013-14 (FY 14) with a deficit of $348,244 on an operating budget of $74,119,493. Total operating revenue for FY14 rose from…

  • Washington National Opera’s 2015-2016 Season

    September 19- October 3 2015: CarmenNovember 14-22 2015: AppomattoxDecember 12-20 2015: Hansel and GretelFebruary 12-20 2016: Lost in the StarsApril 30- May 22 2016: Der Ring des Nibelungen The 2015-2016 season at WNO was announced today. 2015-2016 Season | Official Site

  • SF Symphony’s 2015-2016 Season

    August 20 2015: MTT conducts Schoenberg and Beethoven; Yuja Wang, piano August 21 2015: MTT conducts Schoenberg, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky; Yuja Wang, piano August 22 2015: MTT conducts Ives, Bartók, Mahler; Yuja Wang, piano August 27- September 14 2015: European Festival TourSeptember 24 2015: Opening Gala: MTT conducts TBASeptember 25-26 2015: MTT conducts Ravel, Chopin, Respighi;…

  • ABS Performs Matthew Passion

    * Notes * American Bach Soloists is currently performing sold-out St. Matthew Passion concerts around the Bay Area. Jeffrey Thomas conducted a fastidious performance in Berkeley last night. The orchestra played neatly. The soloists were not entirely even, and the choral singing often sounded most cohesive. Tenor Derek Chester (pictured left) sounded lovely as the…