2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-12-04UTC17:37:14+00:002017-12-03The 2011 Lyon production, with an excellent orchestral and vocal performance, brings an austerely moonlit version of Tristan und Isolde to Barcelona.Tristan und Isolde: an abstract tryst by moonlight at the Liceuen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-tristan-isolde-vinke-theorin-liceu-barcelona-december-2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngJohn Marten Barnardhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/24473https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/24473https://bachtrack.com/files/64067-john-marten-barnard.jpgJohn Barnard has lived and worked for over 25 years in Barcelona. Originally from Kent in England, after university graduation he decided on a radical change in lifestyle, taking the decision to become a corporate English language trainer in Spain. He became involved in the world of opera several years ago when he offered language training services in the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house in Barcelona. Since then has been a season ticket holder with his wife, attending opera on a regular basis in Spain and internationally.https://bachtrack.com/files/72448-4861-0408--a-bofill-resized.jpg510340Iréne Theorin (Isolde) and Stefan Vinke (Tristan)A. Bofill2017-Nov-28, Gran Teatre del Liceu: Tristan and Isoldehttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/gran-teatre-del-liceu/tristan-and-isolde/28-november-2017/19-002017-11-282017-12-15Gran Teatre del LiceuBarcelonaCataloniaSpain0800241.38033467229232.17395722866058https://www.liceubarcelona.cat/en/temporada-201718/opera/tristan-und-isolde?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/55309-screen-shot-2017-03-11-at-18-01-09.png4
The Met revived Beethoven's only opera Fidelio with a strong cast and excellent chorus and orchestra, with a production that celebrates liberty and love.
2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-03-20UTC15:41:27+00:002017-03-18The Met revived Beethoven's only opera Fidelio with a strong cast and excellent chorus and orchestra, with a production that celebrates liberty and love.Jürgen Flimm's production of Fidelio returns to The Met after a long absenceen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-fidelio-flimm-pieczonka-weigle-met-opera-new-york-march-2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngAko Imamurahttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/16328https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/16328https://bachtrack.com/files/251-ako_imamura.jpegAtsuko (Ako) Imamura is a retired investment banker in New York City. Born in Japan, she trained as cultural anthropologist in the US before turning to finance. She now spends her time attending opera and classical music concerts in New York and in Europe. Wagner is her favorite opera composer.https://bachtrack.com/files/56092-fidelio-adrianne-pieczonka-c-met-opera-ken-howard-resized.jpg510340Adrianne Pieczonka (Leonore)Ken Howard | Metropolitan Opera2017-Mar-16, Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House: Fideliohttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/lincoln-center-metropolitan-opera-house/fidelio/16-march-2017/19-302017-03-162017-04-08Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera HouseNew York CityNew YorkUnited States1002340.772270627753-73.983972072601http://www.metopera.org/Season/2016-17-Season/fidelio-beethoven-tickets/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/38525-met-opera-logo.jpg4
Highly idiomatic and effective singing by Greer Grimsley, Denyce Graves and other cast members, coupled with inventive stagecraft wizardry, make the Minnesota Opera's first-ever Rheingold a memorable production.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-11-21UTC15:52:39+00:002016-11-20Highly idiomatic and effective singing by Greer Grimsley, Denyce Graves and other cast members, coupled with inventive stagecraft wizardry, make the Minnesota Opera's first-ever Rheingold a memorable production.Minnesota Opera presents a Rheingold that works on every levelen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-rheingold-staufenbiel-minnesota-opera-november-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngPhillip Noneshttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/18271https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/18271https://bachtrack.com/files/66196-phillip-nones-new.jpgPhillip Nones studied piano from age six, also playing percussion in educational and civic groups before moving to a rural area of the USA in 1990, where performance opportunities were few. Recently he has started performing again, participating in “side-by-side” orchestra performances and playing percussion in the World Doctors' Orchestra. His personal collection of music includes over 5,000 classical albums in all formats (CDs, LPs, 78s), plus downloads. In his professional life, he heads up a marketing communications firm in the state of Maryland. He blogs about the French composer Florent Schmitt here.https://bachtrack.com/files/49117-rheingold-greer-grimlsey-minnesota-opera-c-cory-weaver-resized.jpg510340Greer Grimsley (Wotan)Cory Weaver2016-Nov-12, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: Wagner's Das Rheingoldhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/ordway-center-for-the-performing-arts/wagners-das-rheingold/12-november-2016/19-302016-11-122016-11-20Ordway Center for the Performing ArtsSaint PaulMinnesotaUnited States55102345 Washington Street44.944583-93.0976464
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-05-09UTC14:46:31+00:002016-05-08Christopher Alden's risk-taking, Expressionist-tinged production of the early Wagner breakthrough is provocative in all the right ways.
“It was a dark and stormy night”: Seattle Opera's intensely riveting Flying Dutchman explodes the clichesen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-flying-dutchman-alden-grimsley-seattle-opera-may-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngThomas Mayhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15715https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15715https://bachtrack.com/files/40605-thomas-may.jpgThomas May is a writer and translator based in Seattle. His books include Decoding Wagner and The John Adams Reader, and he blogs about the arts at memeteria.com. He has written for The Washington Post, Gramophone, Listen, Symphony magazine, OPERA America, crosscut.com, and many other publications.https://bachtrack.com/files/39201-flying-dutchman-greer-grimsley-seattle-philip-newton-resized.jpg510340Greer Grimsley (Dutchman)Philip Newton2016-May-07, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall: The Flying Dutchmanhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/marion-oliver-mccaw-hall/the-flying-dutchman/07-may-2016/19-302016-05-072016-05-21Marion Oliver McCaw HallSeattleWashingtonUnited States47.6245949-122.3509266http://www.seattleopera.org/on-stage/the-flying-dutchman/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/51290-seattle-opera-logo.jpg4
Tosca’s popularity stems not only from its music, but also from the inherent truth in its drama and its in-depth portrayal of unrestrained human passions.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-02-15UTC11:28:49+00:002016-02-14Tosca’s popularity stems not only from its music, but also from the inherent truth in its drama and its in-depth portrayal of unrestrained human passions. Alexia Voulgaridou a passionate Tosca at San Diego Operaen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-tosca-voulgaridou-jones-grimsley-san-diego-february-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngErica Minerhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15516https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15516https://bachtrack.com/files/40606-erica-miner-bio-photo.jpgAs a Metropolitan Opera violinist Erica performed with James Levine, Leonard Bernstein and countless opera luminaries. Now an award winning author, screenwriter and lecturer, Erica’s opera presentations include all three Wagner Societies in California. Her thriller novel Murder in the Pit authentically reflects her experiences in the Met Orchestra. Her personal website is here.https://bachtrack.com/files/34487-tosca_alexia_voulgaridou_greer_grimsley_san_diego_cory_weaver_resized.jpg510351Alexia Voulgaridou (Tosca) and Greer Grimsley (Scarpia)Cory Weaver2016-Feb-13, San Diego Civic Theatre: Toscahttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/san-diego-civic-theatre/tosca/13-february-2016/19-002016-02-132016-02-21San Diego Civic TheatreSan DiegoCaliforniaUnited States9210132.7176543963883-117.1624088287354
2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2015-08-18UTC15:47:59+00:002015-08-18In James Conlon's final performance as music director of Ravinia, he presented a magnificent Flying Dutchman with a stellar cast.Conlon bows out of Ravinia with a soaring Dutchmanen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-fliegende-hollander-conlon-ravinia-august-2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngSam Jacobsonhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/18283https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/18283https://bachtrack.com/files/26915-sam_jacobson.jpgSam Jacobson is based in Chicago. He holds a master's degree in music history and theory from the University of Chicago and regularly attends the Chicago Symphony and other cultural events around the city.https://bachtrack.com/files/27149-james_conlon_chester_higgins_resized.jpg300450James ConlonChester Higgins2015-Aug-15, Ravinia Festival Pavilion: Wagner's Flying Dutchmanhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/ravinia-festival-pavilion/wagners-flying-dutchman/15-august-2015/19-302015-08-152015-08-15Ravinia Festival PavilionChicagoIllinoisUnited States42.1579477241965-87.77505397796635
2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2015-06-08UTC14:00:54+00:002015-06-07Romance and Treachery in a Grand Season Finale for the Atlanta Symphony OrchestraSamson et Dalila: a triumphal season finale in Atlantaen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-samson-dalila-skelton-blythe-spano-atlanta-june-2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngWilliam E Fordhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/18188https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/18188https://bachtrack.com/files/301-william_ford.jpgWilliam has enjoyed classical music for over five decades. He is a frequent concertgoer and blogs about classical music . He has a YouTube channel in which he interviews a variety of people in the world of music, such as composers, musicians, writers, and artistic directors. William is a clinical psychologist.https://bachtrack.com/files/24155-stuart_skelton_sim_canetty_clarke_resized.jpg510315Stuart SkeltonSim Canetty-Clarke2015-Jun-04, Atlanta Symphony Hall: Season Finale: Robert Spano Conducts Saint-Saëns' Samson et Dalila with All-Star Casthttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/atlanta-symphony-hall/season-finale-robert-spano-conducts-saint-saens-samson-et-dalila-with-all-star-cast/04-june-2015/20-002015-06-042015-06-06Atlanta Symphony HallAtlantaGeorgiaUnited StatesGA 303091280 Peachtree Street33.789435-84.38618915
2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2015-04-28UTC16:14:26+00:002015-04-26Vancouver Opera's updated Sweeney Todd is an incisive and disconcerting theatrical experience, backed by a musically excellent castSweeney Todd cuts a dash in Vancouveren_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-sweeney-todd-vancouver-opera-april-2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngKevin W Nghttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15781https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/15781https://bachtrack.com/files/40587-kevin-w-ng.jpgKevin is currently a student at the University of British Columbia. He is a violinist and violist, and regularly performs as a soloist, orchestral player, and chamber musician. Particular interests include French violin sonatas, 20th century opera, and Richard Strauss.https://bachtrack.com/files/9132-sweeney_grimsley_ydenberg_tim_matheson_resized.jpg300418Greer Grimsley (Sweeney Todd) and Karen Ydenberg (Beggar woman)Tim Matheson2015-Apr-25, Queen Elizabeth Theatre: Sweeney Toddhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/queen-elizabeth-theatre/sweeney-todd/25-april-2015/19-302015-04-252015-05-03Queen Elizabeth TheatreVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanadaWest Georgia Street and Hamilton St49.2804044288048-123.1129646301274
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-11-10UTC17:35:50+00:002014-11-10The Dallas Opera adds a light touch to a Richard Strauss' decidedly unfunny opera Salome, featuring soprano Deborah Voigt in the title role. Murder, incest, and…comedy? Playing Salome for laughs in Dallasen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-salome-voigt-dallas-opera-november-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngBachtrack reviewerhttps://bachtrack.com/files/7257-salome_voigt_brubaker_karen_almond_dallas_opera.jpg510353Deborah Voigt (Salome) and Robert Brubaker (Herod)Karen Almond | Dallas Opera2014-Oct-30, Winspear Opera House: Salomehttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/winspear-opera-house/salome/30-october-2014/19-302014-10-302014-11-08Winspear Opera HouseDallasTexasUnited States32.8622570250372-96.76983118057253
“It is not his trial, it is mine, mine. It is I whom the devil awaits.” Richard Croft's Vere leads an outstanding cast in LA Opera's revival of Billy Budd.
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-02-25UTC13:07:53+00:002014-02-24“It is not his trial, it is mine, mine. It is I whom the devil awaits.” Richard Croft's Vere leads an outstanding cast in LA Opera's revival of Billy Budd.Relentless, Musically Exceptional: LA Opera's Billy Budden_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-feb-2014-billy-budd-laopera-zambelloBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngMatthew Richard Martinezhttps://bachtrack.com/files/4411-billy_budd_laopera.jpg250388Richard Croft (Captain Vere)Robert Millard2014-Feb-22, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Billy Budd, Op.50https://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/dorothy-chandler-pavilion/billy-budd-op50/22-february-2014/19-302014-02-222014-02-22Dorothy Chandler PavilionLos AngelesCaliforniaUnited StatesCA9001234.0566416403559-118.2489180564884
What happens when the director develops in directions the company neither wanted or expected? For San Francisco Opera’s new Der Fliegende Holländer, this discovery led to decisive action: director Petrika Ionesco was sacked just before the opening.
2013Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-30UTC08:57:45+00:002013-11-10San Francisco Opera's new production of Wagner's Der Fliegende Hollander opens without original directorSan Francisco Opera's Der Fliegende Holländer opens without directoren_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-oct-2013-die-fliegende-hollander-san-francisco-operaBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngJeffery S. McMillanhttps://bachtrack.com/files/3243-dutchman2.jpg400400Greer Grimsley Cory Weaver / San Francisco Opera2013-Oct-22, War Memorial Opera House: Der fliegende Holländerhttps://bachtrack.com/listing-oct-2013-die-fliegende-hollander-san-francisco-opera2013-10-222013-11-15War Memorial Opera HouseSan FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States9410237.7792798539192-122.4192273616793
Seattle Opera’s Siegfried takes place in familiar territory. Mime lives in the part of the forest where the gods roamed in Das Rheingold, and the dragon has made its lair where Hunding and Siegmund fought in Die Walküre (there’s even a bloodstain on the rock, which the Wanderer touches regretfully).
2013Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:48:30+00:002013-08-09Ilana Walder-Biesanz reviews Siegfried, the third opera in Seattle Opera's 2013 Ring Cycle at McCaw HallSiegfried is funny and touching at Seattle Operaen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-seattle-opera-ring-cycle-2013-siegfriedBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngIlana Walder-Biesanzhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/files/40610-ilana-walder-biesanz.jpgIlana 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.https://bachtrack.com/files/2913-13_siegfried_eb_151_1.jpg400400Dennis Peterson (Mime), Stefan Vinke (Siegfried) Elise Bakketun2013-Aug-07, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall: Siegfriedhttps://bachtrack.com/listing-seattle-opera-ring-cycle-2013-siegfried2013-08-072013-08-07Marion Oliver McCaw HallSeattleWashingtonUnited States47.6245949-122.35092664
After Sunday night’s breathtaking Das Rheingold, it was difficult to imagine Die Walküre could be more beautiful or committed. Seattle Opera outdid themselves with this second installment of the Ring cycle, which featured energetic playing and singing, gorgeous stage pictures, and devastatingly believable acting from all of the singers.
2013Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:48:27+00:002013-08-07Ilana Walder-Biesanz reviews Die Walkure, the second opera in Seattle Opera's 2013 Ring Cycle at McCaw HallTalented acting makes Seattle Opera's Die Walküre a heart-breaking experienceen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-seattle-opera-ring-cycle-2013-die-walkureBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngIlana Walder-Biesanzhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/files/40610-ilana-walder-biesanz.jpgIlana 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.https://bachtrack.com/files/2908-13_walkure_eb_134.jpg400400Wagner’s Die Walküre, Alwyn Mellor (Brünnhilde), Greer Grimsley (Wotan) Elise Bakketun photo2013-Aug-05, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall: Die Walkürehttps://bachtrack.com/listing-seattle-opera-ring-cycle-2013-die-walkure2013-08-052013-08-21Marion Oliver McCaw HallSeattleWashingtonUnited States47.6245949-122.35092665
Some Ring cycles are based on ideological concepts; Seattle Opera’s current Ring cycle is based on a place. That place is the Pacific Northwest of the United States, home to such extraordinary natural beauty that stage director Stephen Wadsworth has deemed it fit for the gods.
2013Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:48:20+00:002013-08-07Ilana Walder-Biesanz reviews Das Rheingold, the first opera in Seattle Opera's 2013 Ring cycle at McCaw Hall.Seattle Opera's Ring cycle begins well with a stunning, locally inspired Rheingolden_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-seattle-opera-ring-cycle-2013-das-rheingoldBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngIlana Walder-Biesanzhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5509https://bachtrack.com/files/40610-ilana-walder-biesanz.jpgIlana 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.https://bachtrack.com/files/2900-rheingold_seattle.jpg400400Jennifer Zetlan, Cecelia Hall, Renée Tatum and Richard Paul FinkElise Bakketun2013-Aug-04, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall: Das Rheingoldhttps://bachtrack.com/listing-seattle-opera-ring-cycle-2013-das-rheingold2013-08-042013-08-20Marion Oliver McCaw HallSeattleWashingtonUnited States47.6245949-122.35092664