The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Category: San Francisco Opera
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* Notes * The 93rd season of San Francisco Opera opened Friday with Luisa Miller, a Verdi rarity only seen on the War Memorial stage a dozen times before. The opera has a quintessentially Verdian plot: a protective father, an innocent daughter, a secret identity, and a love triangle that ends in a protracted death scene.…
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My reflection on David Gockley's time as general director of San Francisco Opera is on KQED Arts. I talked to a ton of people for this piece, and it was amusing to hear so many different stories and opinions. Definitely kept in mind the comments I've heard from readers of this blog, so thank you…
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More cast changes for San Francisco Opera's upcoming season have been announced, both for the opening weekend performances. Bass-baritone Daniel Sumegi (pictured left) is singing the role of Count Walter in Luisa Miller, replacing Rafał Siwek. Instead of John Easterlin, tenor David Curry will make his Company debut in the role of Adolfo Pirelli in…
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Bass-baritone Philippe Sly, who was to perform the Papageno in The Magic Flute at San Francisco Opera, has withdrawn from the production because of "personal family reasons." Baritone Efraín Solís (pictured left) replaces him. The Magic Flute | San Francisco Opera Press Release
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At the end of Tosca, the title character climbs to a fortress parapet of the Castel Sant'Angelo and leaps to her death. Details of Painting | Performance Review of Tosca
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Baritone Gerald Finley, who was to perform the title role of Sweeney Todd (pictured left, photograph courtesy of Marie-Noëlle Robert/Théâtre du Châtelet) at San Francisco Opera, has withdrawn from the production in order to be at home in Great Britain with his wife for the expected birth of their child in mid-September. Brian Mulligan replaces…
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Production Web Site | SF Opera's Blog San Francisco Opera was clearly less well-rehearsed for Le Nozze di Figaro (Act III pictured left, photograph by Cory Weaver) than for Troyens and Ciociara, but turned out a sparkling performance nonetheless. Reviews: San Francisco Chronicle | San Francisco Examiner | San Jose Mercury News | San Francisco…
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* Notes * My review of San Francisco Opera's Le Nozze di Figaro is on San Francisco Classical Voice. * Tattling * Since this performance was in the afternoon, there were even more watch alarms at each hour than usual. An excited older couple sat next to me in Row T Seats 5 and 7.…
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Production Web Site | SF Opera’s Blog Most of the reviews are decidedly negative for San Francisco Opera’s La Ciociara (Act II, Scene 3 pictured left, photograph by Cory Weaver). Reviews: San Francisco Chronicle | New York Times | Washington Post | San Francisco Examiner | San Jose Mercury News | San Francisco Classical Voice…
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* Notes * San Francisco Opera gave the world premiere of Two Women (La Ciociara) last night. The narrative is compelling. Marco Tutino's sweeping music has a cinematic feel and is pretty. The orchestra sounded engaged under the direction of Maestro Nicola Luisotti. The percussion was particularly gripping. All of the singing was strong. The chorus…
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