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Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Ilana Walder-Biesanz is a product manager for Yahoo, a theatre and opera critic, and a classically trained mezzo-soprano. She explored theater and opera stagings as a Gates Scholar at Cambridge and as a Fulbright Scholar in Germany. She currently writes for Bachtrack, San Francisco Classical Voice, and Stark Insider. Twitter: @ilana_wb.

Author:Ilana Walder-Biesanz

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The San Francisco Ring: Episode IV – A New Hope

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 24 June 2018

The world is gloriously redeemed in the gripping final installment of San Francisco Opera's Ring cycle.

*****

The San Francisco Ring: Episode IV – A New Hope

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A gritty Siegfried continues the San Francisco Opera Ring

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 22 June 2018

Both the technical effects and the singing impress in San Francisco Opera's dark Siegfried.

****1

A gritty Siegfried at San Francisco Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Valkyries parachute into San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 20 June 2018

San Francisco Opera's Die Walküre overcame a disappointing first act, winning the audience over with excellent singing and playing and impressive stage effects.

****1

Valkyries parachute into San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A strong start for San Francisco Opera's Ring

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 19 June 2018

At San Francisco Opera, conductor Donald Runnicles and a top-notch cast deliver a delicious Rheingold in Francesca Zambello's colorful production.

****1

A strong start for San Francisco Opera's Ring

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

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A gaudy stand-and-sing Semiramide at the Met

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 19 February 2018

Despite a great cast, the Metropolitan Opera's revival of Semiramide bores with tacky costumes and no direction.

**111

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A gaudy stand-and-sing Semiramide at the Met

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Sex, angels and cannibalism: Written on Skin at Opera Philadelphia

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 16 February 2018

Written on Skin is a cold but effective opera full of musical and dramatic energy. Opera Philadelphia's new staging and talented young cast do it justice.

****1

Sex, angels and cannibalism: Written on Skin

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

“Auf nach Mahagonny" in Mannheim!

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 30 December 2017

A modern Mahagonny rises and falls in Mannheim, brought to life by a great cast of singer-actors and a conductor (Benjamin Reiners) and orchestra who celebrate Weill's catchy score.

****1

“Auf nach Mahagonny" in Mannheim!

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

The show must go on: Lucio Silla in Kassel

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 29 December 2017

A muddled staging of Mozart's Lucio Silla in Kassel was made worse by two sicknesses in the cast (with one role cut entirely as a result). The orchestra and singers still made beautiful music.

**111

The show must go on: Lucio Silla in Kassel

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

More Porpora operas, please (just not this one!): Mitridate at Schloss Schwetzingen

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 28 December 2017

Propora's Mitridate at Schloss Schwetzingen lacks dramatic sense (blame librettist Cibber and director Spirei). But exciting music strongly delivered makes a case for more Porpora in the repertoire.

***11

Porpora's Mitridate at Schloss Schwetzingen

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

In Konwitschny's modern Medea, monsters are made by men

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 27 December 2017

Director Peter Konwitschny's staging of Cherubini's Medea critiques rejection and mistreatment of refugees. A strong new German translation and a talented cast make this a must-see.

****1

In Konwitschny's modern Medea, monsters are made by men

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Stars and Léhar's score shine in The Count of Luxembourg at Deutsche Oper am Rhein

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 25 December 2017

Baritone Kay Stiefermann steals hearts at the eponymous Count of Luxembourg, in an operetta so charming that neither musical missteps nor a mixed-up staging can sink it.

***11

Stars and the score shine in The Count of Luxembourg

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Warm voice, cold feelings: Bostridge sings Winterreise in Berkeley

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 10 November 2017

Ian Bostridge and Wenwen Du deliver Schubert's song cycle with great musicianship, but Bostridge lacks the presence that makes live performance a special treat.

***11

Warm voice, cold feelings: Winterreise in Berkeley

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Night at the Elektra museum in San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 13 September 2017

A thought-provoking production and killer cast make San Francisco Opera's Elektra top-notch music drama.

****1

Night at the Elektra museum in San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A colorful Turandot opens the San Francisco Opera season

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 12 September 2017

San Francisco Opera's Turandot is a feast for the eyes and ears, but the drama falls flat.

***11

A colorful Turandot opens the San Francisco Opera season

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Evil triumphs beautifully in Monteverdi 450 Poppea

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 29 July 2017

The final opera in Sir John Eliot Gardiner's Monteverdi 450 trilogy features an excellent cast and inspires deep emotion.

****1

Evil triumphs beautifully in Monteverdi 450 Poppea

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Monteverdi 450's Ulisse docks in Salzburg

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 28 July 2017

Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria, the second opera of the Monteverdi 450 trilogy being toured by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, had a strong performance in Salzburg.

***11

Monteverdi 450's Ulisse docks in Salzburg

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

An emotional L'Orfeo for Monteverdi 450

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 26 July 2017

Sir John Eliot Gardiner's Monteverdi 450 trilogy began its Salzburg run with a tear-jerking concert performance of L'Orfeo.

*****

An emotional L'Orfeo for Monteverdi 450

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Steve Jobs scores a success in Santa Fe

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 22 July 2017

Mason Bates's much-hyped first opera, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, excited Santa Fe audiences despite its dramatic shortcomings.

***11

Steve Jobs scores a success in Santa Fe

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Brenda Rae carries Santa Fe Opera's Lucia

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 21 July 2017

Static blocking and an uneven cast can't kill a Lucia di Lammermoor with a star this bright.

***11

Brenda Rae carries Santa Fe Opera's Lucia

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

The Golden Cockerel soars in Santa Fe

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 19 July 2017

Santa Fe Opera's colorful and beautifully sung The Golden Cockerel makes a case for more Rimsky-Korsakov opera in the repertoire.

****1

The Golden Cockerel soars in Santa Fe

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A truly kingly entertainment: Baroque beauty in Berkeley

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 28 April 2017

Cal Performances and Philharmonia Baroque present a lavish modern-day première of the 1745 version of Rameau's Le Temple de la Gloire.

****1

A truly kingly entertainment in Berkeley

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A beautifully sung Tales of Hoffmann at LA Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 25 March 2017

Los Angeles Opera's Tales of Hoffmann survives multiple cast changes to look and sound fabulous, but it drags dramatically.

***11

A beautifully sung Tales of Hoffmann at LA Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Anna Caterina Antonacci triumphs in La Voix humaine at SF Opera Lab

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 14 March 2017

Antonacci's voice shines even in the art songs that pad out the evening, but it's Poulenc's one-act opera that gives San Francisco Opera Lab's current offering dramatic weight (and makes it worth seeing).

****1

Antonacci triumphs in La Voix humaine

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

San Francisco Opera Lab's The Source belongs here and now

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 25 February 2017

It's not really an opera (or even an oratorio), but Ted Hearne's The Source is important and engaging.

****1

The Source belongs here and now

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Perfectly staged, Lamplighters' Patience stills demands patience

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 04 February 2017

The Lamplighters stage Gilbert and Sullivan's satirical operetta with their usual high production values and talented cast.

***11

Lamplighters' Patience stills demands patience

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

The Dead City lacks excitement in Vienna

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 15 January 2017

Die tote Stadt at the Vienna State Opera features strong playing and singing but little drama.

***11

The Dead City lacks excitement in Vienna

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

An Aida short on drama in San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 08 November 2016

San Francisco Opera's Aida features exciting role debuts from Leah Crocetto and Brian Jagde and a visually striking production, but a lack of good direction keeps it from being great music drama.

***11

An Aida short on drama in San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

The Makropulos Case in San Francisco: it's about time

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 14 October 2016

Despite the black and white palate, this Makropulos Case has plenty of color. Nadja Michael heads the cast with her fiery portrayal of Elina Makropulos, and conductor Mikahil Tatrnikov makes a triumphant San Francisco Opera debut in the pit.

****1

The Makropulos Case in San Francisco: it's about time

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Comedy and cruelty in Don Pasquale at San Francisco Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 28 September 2016

Four star singers shine in Pelly's glamorous production of Don Pasquale, which brings out both the lightness and the darkness of the opera.

****1

Comedy and cruelty in Don Pasquale

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A Dream doesn't quite come true at San Francisco Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 10 September 2016

A new operatic adaptation of Dream of the Red Chamber by Bright Sheng and David Henry Hwang offers musical and visual delights but stumbles on the text.

***11

A Dream doesn't quite come true at San Francisco Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Lamplighters' more PC Mikado is no less funny

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 19 August 2016

Set in Italy, The Mikado gains humor and escapes controversy. The Lamplighters impress with high production values and a talented cast.

****1

A more PC Mikado is no less funny

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Sex with a side of brilliant opera: Powder Her Face in Oakland

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 13 August 2016

Thomas Adès’ Powder Her Face has plenty of sex written in, and West Edge Opera's production adds even more. But it's the music and drama that sell.

*****

Sex with a side of brilliant opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A dreamlike forest in an abandoned train station: The Cunning Little Vixen at West Edge Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 07 August 2016

The sets, costumes, and venue contribute to the atmosphere, but it's the singing and playing of Janáček's enchanting music that make West Edge Opera's The Cunning Little Vixen magical.

****1

A dreamlike forest in an abandoned train station: The Cunning Little Vixen at West Edge Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Don Carlo in San Francisco: musically perfect, dramatically lacking

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 12 June 2016

A dream cast come true in Don Carlo at San Francisco Opera. Emilio Sagi's direction is the only weak link in this production.

****1

Musically perfect Don Carlo in San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A fabulous night On the Town with the San Francisco Symphony

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 25 May 2016

Bernstein's On the Town is luxuriously cast, crisply played, and impressively danced in a much-more-than-semi-staged production at the San Francisco Symphony.

*****

A fabulous night On the Town

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Verdi as light opera: Pocket Opera's King for a Day

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 17 April 2016

Pocket Opera presents an excellent English translation of Verdi's comic opera, but casting mistakes and musical slips detract from a cute production.

***11

Verdi as light opera: King for a Day

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A wedding worth celebrating at San Francisco Opera Lab

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 03 April 2016

Ana Sokolović’s Serbian a cappella opera is short on plot, but glorious musical variety, a talented cast, and an intimate space make for an engrossing hour.

****1

A wedding worth celebrating at San Francisco Opera Lab

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

The “other” Bohème delights at West Edge Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 20 March 2016

Leoncavallo's rarely produced La bohème offers enchanting musical variety, delivered in a well-cast concert staging by West Edge Opera.

****1

The “other” Bohème delights at West Edge Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Champion at Opera Parallele: strong, but no knockout

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 19 February 2016

Opera Parallele's production of Terence Blanchard's Champion: An Opera in Jazz features great performances but an uneven score and spotty blocking.

***11

Champion at Opera Parallele: strong, but no knockout

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Angela Gheorghiu stars in a traditional Tosca in Vienna

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 07 February 2016

Lavish sets and costumes, plus high musical quality, make Tosca at the Vienna State Opera a fine example of grand opera.

***11

A traditional Tosca in Vienna

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

At San Francisco Opera, Usher House falls dramatically... twice

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 08 December 2015

Two American premières offer very different musical and dramatic takes on Poe's short story, and both prove gripping.

****1

Usher House falls dramatically... twice

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

A colorful but static Magic Flute in San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 20 October 2015

Jun Kaneko's production of The Magic Flute at San Francisco Opera is a feast for the eyes, but both the stage direction and the translation need work.

***11

A colorful but static Magic Flute in San Francisco

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Bloody fun with Sweeney Todd at San Francisco Opera

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 18 September 2015

San Francisco Opera's production of Sweeney Todd brings nothing new to the musical, but the cast includes wonderful surprises – most notably Stephanie Blythe's Mrs Lovett.

****1

Bloody fun with Sweeney Todd

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

San Francisco Opera season opener: a stellar cast carries a dull staging of Luisa Miller

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 11 September 2015

An exciting cast starring Michael Fabiano and Leah Crocetto makes up for a slow and static production at San Francisco Opera's opening night.

***11

Stellar cast carries a dull staging of Luisa Miller

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Rihm's Conquest of Mexico: glorious philosophy in music at the Salzburg Festival

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 26 July 2015

Konwitschny's bold approach to Rihm's musical dialectic surprises, challenges, and bewilders. The glorious soundscape created in the Felsenreitschule makes this Eroberung von Mexico a unique, unmissable operatic experience.

*****

Glorious philosophy in music at the Salzburg Festival

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Whimsical fun for all ages at The Barber of Seville for Children in Salzburg

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 25 July 2015

The children's Barber of Seville is too severely cut to have any substance, but fabulous playing and conducting, stellar young soloists, and an imaginative staging make it a fun afternoon.

***11

Whimsical fun for all ages at Salzburg's Barber

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Munich Don Carlo in fifty shades of black

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 24 July 2015

Better conducting and supertitles would also help breathe life into this drab revival of Bayerische Staatsoper's Don Carlo.

**111

Munich Don Carlo in fifty shades of black

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Tristan und Isolde in Munich: surprising and triumphant

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 08 July 2015

The bright colours and childishness of Konwitschny’s production for the Bayerische Staatsoper shock but succeed. The cast and orchestra shine, especially in the final act.

****1

Tristan und Isolde in Munich: surprising and triumphant

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Norma in Munich: dramatically solid but musically uninspiring

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 13 June 2015

A good staging and good acting aren't enough to make up for musical shortcomings of the Bayerische Staatsoper's Norma.

**111

Norma in Munich: dramatically solid but musically uninspiring

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz

Budapest Die Csárdásfürstin sparkles and bubbles in Munich

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 11 June 2015

Budapest Operetta Theatre's hundreth-anniversary touring production of Kalman's operetta is irresistably fun. The silly plot and catchy tunes, delivered by an excellent cast and orchestra, are sure to provoke smiles and earworms.

****1

Budapest Die Csárdásfürstin sparkles and bubbles in Munich

By Ilana Walder-Biesanz