The Opera Tattler

3 responses to “SF Opera’s 2018-2019 Season”

1. 

   Matthew Travisano

   January 17, 2018

   Hmmmm….a bit ho-hum. This is definitely the post-Ring Cycle cost-saving year. Only 8 productions of a fair amount of staples and some sorta-staples that have been gone for a while.
   It’ll be nice to have “Rusalka” and “Roberto Devereux” return. I’m amazed that I’ve been a patron of SFO since 1996 and they’ve never been done. And at least there’s one bel canto work.
   Only one standalone new production, though it’s about time we had a new “Tosca”. I was never a fan of the Thierry Bosquet recreation of the inaugural production from the 1920s (always looked cheap to me). Though the designer of the new “Tosca” (Robert Innes Hopkins) has a distinct aesthetic so maybe it’ll be an interesting production.
   I see they ditched the Calixto Bieito-lite version of “Carmen” (I imagine the older board members probably weren’t happy with it). Too bad. It was the best “Carmen” they ever did, even if it was really tame for all the faux-controversy. I imagine the Zambello production will be safe and a bit dull.
   I’m a bit surprised by “Arabella” and “Orlando”. It’s not one of Strauss’ most approachable pieces and I was hoping to see “Salome” return. But it’s a pretty piece and has a great final scene (Strauss sure knew how to write final scenes). And “Orlando” isn’t done all that often, though I’m not a particular fan of Handel onstage.
   “It’s a Wonderful Life”…blah. No thanks.
   I’m shocked to see no Mozart and no Verdi, two composers in which SFO is actually pretty strong. Is this the effect of the post-Luisotti era?
   It’s also funny that in the press release SFO considers “Cav/Pag” two separate operas, even though they’re really programmed as one. And they pretty much admit that there’s nothing important from the 20th century by calling “Arabella” a “20th-century opera”. Barely. And it’s 19th century in all but publication date.
   Overall, I’m not all that impressed.

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2. 

   The Opera Tattler

   January 18, 2018

   I’m happy to hear Rusalka and Roberto Devereux for the first time and glad of getting productions of Arabella and Orlando, since I don’t know those two very well.
   With you on Tosca and Carmen, I believe I’ve seen a Zambello production of the latter in London years ago, and you are absolutely right.

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3. 

   Matthew Travisano

   January 18, 2018

   I remember being content with “Arabella” when it was last here in 1999. Some gorgeous soprano vocal writing (of course, it’s Strauss!). A nice confection. I’m also looking forward to Rusalka (sooooo gorgeous) and Roberto Devereux.

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