The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Category: San Francisco Opera
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* Notes *The opening performance of The Bonesetter's Daughter proved to be a rather maudlin and self-indulgent affair. The beginning was promising, the call of the suona players from the Grand Tier was regal and imposing, and the aerial acrobatics combined with projections of water and fire during the overture were impressive. The first trio of Ruth (Zheng Cao),…
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John and Cynthia Gunn are giving San Francisco Opera 40 million dollars, outdoing Jeannik Mequet Littlefield's gift of 35 million two years ago. John Gunn is presently the chairman of San Francisco Opera's Board of Directors. Press Release [PDF] | Official Site
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I'm afraid that final dress rehearsal of San Francisco Opera's The Bonesetter's Daughter has left me nearly speechless, and considered summing up my reaction in exactly two words. But I certainly don't want to ruin it for you, gentle readers. Instead, I offer some images that came to mind whilst watching the production. …
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Kip Cranna moderated a panel discussion on the new opera The Bonesetter's Daughter yesterday evening at Herbst Theatre. The panelists included composer Stewart Wallace, bass Hao Jiang Tian (Chang the Coffin Maker), and suona-player/rock star Wu Tong (Chef, Taoist Priest). There is much excitement surrounding the impending world premiere of the work at San Francisco Opera,…
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* Notes * San Francisco Opera's 35th Opera in the Park event was conductor Donald Runnicles' last as music director. The performance was delightful and the orchestra sounded lovely. The afternoon began with Korngold's music from the film Captain Blood. This music was played well, but it was a bit silly out of context. Various Adler…
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* Notes * Soprano Angela Gheorghiu gave a recital yesterday evening with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra conducted by Marco Armiliato. The orchestra sounded fine, the overture to Le Nozze was spirited, and the overture to Cenerentola was absolutely adorable. However, Gheorghiu was overwhelmed by the orchestra, especially near the end. Though one could always…
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* Notes * Though lovely, San Francisco Opera’s opening night performance of Simon Boccanegra did not quite catch on fire, despite the heat and an apparent earthquake. The production, directed by David Edwards, is pleasantly simple and Michael Yeargan’s serviceable set is both attractive and quiet. Peter J. Hall’s period costumes are gorgeous, but best of all is…
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This morning I got to the standing room line in front of the War Memorial Opera House at 5:15am and I was still second in line. Bested yet again by Deidra of the Opera Standees Association. The next person arrived at 7:30am, but by the time the box office opened there were about 15 people…
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* Notes * The final dress rehearsal of San Francisco Opera's Simon Boccanegra was impressive. Elijah Moshinsky's Covent Garden production is the one that premiered at San Francisco in 2001 during the Verdi Festival. The sillier parts of the production were removed, Verdi does not appear, and no one is wrapped in blue fabric. The transitions between scenes are…
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Jon Finck was appointed Director of Communications and Public Affairs at San Francisco Opera. Press Release [PDF] | San Francisco Opera
The Opera Tattler 