The Opera Tattler
Reviews of Performances and their Audiences
Category: San Francisco Opera
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San Francisco Opera's 2008-09 Season Preview CD set came in the mail recently, and today I noticed that their podcast has also been updated. This the third season of David Gockley's tenure, and likewise the third time San Francisco Opera has sent out such CDs, in lieu of the yearbook of previous years. The cover of the CD…
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* Notes * This year's Merola Opera Program ended twelve weeks of training with a Grand Finale last night at the War Memorial Opera House. The performance was staged simply, using a set that included a couple of steps to a rickety parquet floor and a pair of stage right doors. The costumes were standard…
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There is nothing I like better than a survey on opera, and San Francisco Opera does seem to send them my way every year. Here are the latest questions, complete with Opera Tattler answers. * * * Hello. San Francisco Opera would like to thank you for agreeing to participate in this study! Please be…
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* Notes * The Merola Opera Program's Don Giovanni opened with the first of two performances last night. Director Catherine Malfitano's production is a bit busy, bursting at the seams with movement. For example, from the very beginning, the overture had an elaborate pantomime, showing us many of the principal characters and detracting from the…
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* Program * “Pierrot’s Tanzlied” from Die Tote StadtEugene Chan, baritone and Alan Hamilton, piano Debussy’s “Apparition”Ellen Wieser, soprano and Eileen Downey, piano Schubert’s “Erstarrung” from WinterreiseDarren Perry, baritone and Carl Pantle, piano Quilter’s “Now sleeps the crimson petal”Tyler Nelson, tenor and Allen Perriello, piano Weill’s “Youkali”James Rodgers, tenor and Dennis Doubin, piano * Notes * Yesterday evening New…
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* Notes * This evening the Merola Opera Program‘s Albert Herring opened with the first of two performances. The production, directed by Peter Kazaras, is charming. Donald Eastman’s sets are clever and use the small space well. The lighting design from Kate Boyd is nice and simple. Though the opera was originally set at the…
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* Notes * The inaugural indoor Schwabacher Summer Concert occurred yesterday at the Herbst Theatre. YoungJoo An began the evening by singing Tonio’s “Si puo?” from Pagliacci. The baritone burst out behind the side door curtains in a most absurd manner. His tone was full and pleasant though his vibrato was a bit out of control at…
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This week’s The Economist has an article on Peter Gelb‘s simulcasts. San Francisco Opera and the Royal Opera House are also mentioned. I especially like these two sentences from the article: Opera purists are not at all happy about Mr Gelb’s foray into cinemas. They argue that opera was made to be seen live in opera houses and they…
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Yesterday’s performance of Ariodante concluded the 2007-2008 season at San Francisco Opera. The Summer part of the season was mixed bag this year. Das Rheingold had some interesting ideas as far as production is concerned, but some of the execution was weak. Much of the cast was strong, but I found certain female principals disappointing. Ariodante had…
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13. June 2008: Final Dress RehearsalOpera Tattler Review 15. June 2008: Opening Opera Tattler Review 18. June 2008: From Box Q* People clapped for Ruth Ann Swenson when she entered, interrupting the music. * The floor is squeaky, especially when the dancers are doing pas jetés. * Susan Graham missed a line in the duet…
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