2017Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-09-15UTC11:48:53+00:002017-09-14San Francisco Opera's Turandot is a feast for the eyes and ears, but the drama falls flat.A colorful Turandot opens the San Francisco Opera seasonen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-turandot-hockney-luisotti-jagde-serafin-palmertree-san-francisco-opera-september-2017Bachtrack 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/67620-turandot-c-cory-weaver-san-francisco-opera--6--resized.jpg510340Martina Serafin (Turandot)Cory Weaver | San Francisco Opera2017-Sep-08, War Memorial Opera House: Turandothttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/war-memorial-opera-house/turandot/08-september-2017/20-002017-09-082017-09-30War Memorial Opera HouseSan FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States9410237.7792798539192-122.419227361679https://sfopera.com/1718season/201718-season/turandot/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/40312-san-francisco-opera-logo.jpg3
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.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-11-10UTC14:44:11+00:002016-11-09San 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.An Aida short on drama in San Franciscoen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-aida-zambello-crocetto-jagde-san-francisco-november-2016Bachtrack 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/48707-aida-triumphal-leah-crocetto-brian-jagde-c-cory-weaver-san-francisco-opera-resized.jpg510340Leah Crocetto (Aida) and Brian JagdeCory Weaver | San Francisco Opera2016-Nov-05, War Memorial Opera House: Aidahttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/war-memorial-opera-house/aida/05-november-2016/19-302016-11-052016-12-06War Memorial Opera HouseSan FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States9410237.7792798539192-122.419227361679http://sfopera.com/buy-tickets/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/40312-san-francisco-opera-logo.jpg3
Richard Jones's production of Puccini’s Western opera La fanciulla del West is well sung, but fails to tap in to the Wild West atmosphere of the surroundings.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-08-07UTC13:35:06+00:002016-08-05Richard Jones's production of Puccini’s Western opera La fanciulla del West is well sung, but fails to tap in to the Wild West atmosphere of the surroundings.Santa Fe Opera Stages Puccini's Fanciulla del Westen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-girl-of-the-golden-west-santa-fe-opera-august-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngMaria Nockinhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/19096https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/19096https://bachtrack.com/files/25947-maria_nockin.jpgOriginally from New York City, Maria Nockin began attending opera and concerts as a child when her parents could not find a babysitter. She has studied violin, piano and guitar as well as voice, and she has a master’s degree in education from Fordham University. Having spent many years teaching high school in winter and working at the Salzburg Festival in summer, she now lives in the Southwest where she covers classical music for Opera Today, Bachtrack, Fanfare, and Classical Singer as well as publications in Spanish, Dutch, and Italian.https://bachtrack.com/files/43691-20-patricia-racette--minnie---gwyn-hughes-jones--dick-johnson--and-ensemble-cast-in--the-girl-of-the-golden-west---c--ken-howard-for-santa-fe-opera--2016.jpg510320Patricia Racette (Minnie), Gwyn Hughes Jones (Johnson) and ensembleKen Howard | Santa Fe Opera2016-Jul-01, Santa Fe Opera: La fanciulla del Westhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/santa-fe-opera/la-fanciulla-del-west/01-july-2016/20-302016-07-012016-08-27Santa Fe OperaSanta FeNew MexicoUnited StatesNM 87506301 Opera Dr35.7426878-105.93475869999997https://www.santafeopera.org/tickets/production.aspx?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.com&performanceNumber=7642https://bachtrack.com/files/43799-fdw-240x240.png3
Santa Fe Opera presented Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette in Stephen Lawless’ mid 19th-century staging, a co-production with Barcelona's Liceu. Before the overture, General Director Charles MacKay came onstage to announce that Stephen Costello was ill and would be replaced by Joshua Guerrero, a graduate of the Los Angeles Opera Young Artist Program.
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-08-01UTC11:19:24+00:002016-07-31Santa Fe Opera stages an updated Roméo et Julietteen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-romeo-juliette-perez-guerrero-santa-fe-july-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngMaria Nockinhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/19096https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/19096https://bachtrack.com/files/25947-maria_nockin.jpgOriginally from New York City, Maria Nockin began attending opera and concerts as a child when her parents could not find a babysitter. She has studied violin, piano and guitar as well as voice, and she has a master’s degree in education from Fordham University. Having spent many years teaching high school in winter and working at the Salzburg Festival in summer, she now lives in the Southwest where she covers classical music for Opera Today, Bachtrack, Fanfare, and Classical Singer as well as publications in Spanish, Dutch, and Italian.https://bachtrack.com/files/43386-romeo-juliette-ailyn-perez-santa-fe-ken-howard-resized.jpg300450Ailyn Pérez (Juliette)Ken Howard2016-Jul-16, Santa Fe Opera: Roméo et Juliettehttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/santa-fe-opera/romeo-et-juliette/16-july-2016/20-302016-07-162016-08-25Santa Fe OperaSanta FeNew MexicoUnited StatesNM 87506301 Opera Dr35.7426878-105.93475869999997https://www.santafeopera.org/tickets/production.aspx?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.com&performanceNumber=7709https://bachtrack.com/files/43382-rj-240x240.png4
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-05-04UTC09:51:36+00:002016-05-03Zambello's Die Walküre engages and excites in this promising Ring cycle.
Nature’s bonfire burns on: Zambello’s Die Walküre in Washingtonen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-walkure-zambello-auguin-washington-national-opera-may-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngHilary Strohhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/17629https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/17629https://bachtrack.com/files/289-hilary_larkin.jpgHilary is an independent scholar and academic historian, based in DC. She has a background in violin, piano and ballet. Educated at Dublin and Cambridge, she has recently published her first two books. https://bachtrack.com/files/38983-walkure-meagan-miller-christopher-ventris-wno-scott-suchman-resized.jpg510340Meagan Miller (Sieglinde) and Christopher Ventris (Siegmund)Scott Suchman2016-May-02, Kennedy Center: Opera House: Die Walkürehttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/kennedy-center-opera-house/die-walkure/02-may-2016/18-002016-05-022016-05-18Kennedy Center: Opera HouseWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUnited States2003738.895803-77.055669http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/event/OQOSC?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/38975-washington-national-opera-logo.jpg4
2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2016-02-15UTC11:49:50+00:002016-02-15A relative rarity by Verdi is given an outing at the Sydney Opera House, with excellent performances let down by a disappointing staging. Great singing redeems a Verdi rarity at the Sydney Opera Houseen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-luisa-miller-opera-australia-sydney-february-2016Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDavid Larkinhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/944https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/944https://bachtrack.com/files/135-dl_photo.jpgDavid is a lecturer at the University of Sydney, specialising in nineteenth-century music. Educated at Dublin and Cambridge, he has published on Richard Strauss, Liszt and Wagner. He gives pre-concert talks for the Sydney Symphony, and sings with a number of chamber choirs.https://bachtrack.com/files/34493-luisa_miller_diego_torre_nicole_car_prudence_upton_opera_australia_resized.jpg510340Diego Torre (Rodolfo) and Nicole Car (Luisa)Prudence Upton2016-Feb-11, Sydney Opera House: Joan Sutherland Theatre: Luisa Millerhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/sydney-opera-house-joan-sutherland-theatre/luisa-miller/11-february-2016/19-302016-02-112016-02-29Sydney Opera House: Joan Sutherland TheatreSydneyNew South WalesAustralia1225-33.858362151.214876https://opera.org.au/whatson/events/luisa-miller-sydney?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/41870-opera-australia-logo.jpg3
We find Donald Runnicles and his BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on fine form for a dramatic Verdi Requiem, packed with magical sound pictures and lashings of all-important terror.
2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2015-08-04UTC08:13:44+00:002015-08-03We find Donald Runnicles and his BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on fine form for a dramatic Verdi Requiem, packed with magical sound pictures and lashings of all-important terror. Prom 23: Drama, death and judgement in Verdi's Requiemen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-prom-23-verdi-requiem-runnicles-deutsche-oper-bbcsso-august-2015Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngCharlotte Valorihttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5489https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/5489https://bachtrack.com/files/173-charlotte_valori.jpgCharlotte Valori read Classics at Christ Church, Oxford. As a classicist, her main interest is Greek tragedy and its reception by later cultures, which has led to a continuing passion for theatre and opera. Charlotte reviews for several online magazines, and won the Bachtrack Opera Award 2015 for Best Written English Review. Follow her on Twitter @operissima.https://bachtrack.com/files/26789-prom_23_donald_runnicles_bbc_chris_christodoulou_resized.jpg510340Donald RunniclesBBC | Chris Christodoulou2015-Aug-02, Royal Albert Hall: Prom 23: Verdi – Requiemhttps://bachtrack.com/concert-listing/royal-albert-hall/prom-23-verdi-requiem/02-august-2015/20-002015-08-022015-08-02Royal Albert HallLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomSW7 2APKensington Gore51.5014299260821-0.17751932144165http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/bbc-proms/prom23/default.aspx?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.comhttps://bachtrack.com/files/78814-artwork-for-events--1-.jpg3
San Francisco Opera's thoughtful version of the 1955 opera Susannah, one of the most performed American operas, placing the story of Susannah and the Elders in the Appalachian hills of the 1930s.
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-09-09UTC16:36:57+00:002014-09-08San Francisco Opera's thoughtful version of the 1955 opera Susannah, one of the most performed American operas, placing the story of Susannah and the Elders in the Appalachian hills of the 1930s. A thoughtful Susannah from San Francisco Opera which raises important questionsen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-susannah-racette-san-francisco-september-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngJaime Robleshttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/6182https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/6182https://bachtrack.com/files/180-jaime_robles.jpgJaime Robles has previously written in the San Francisco Bay Area, including for the San Francisco Classical Voice. Also a poet, she has written song lyrics and librettos for several one-act operas, including Inferno (music by Peter Josheff), staged in 2009 by San Francisco Cabaret Opera, and Vladimir in Butterfly Country (music by Anne Callaway), staged in 2012. https://bachtrack.com/files/6507-susannah_jovanovich_racette_cory_weaver_san_francisco_opera.jpg275403Brandon Jovanovich (Sam) and Patricia Racette (Susannah)Cory Weaver | San Francisco Opera2014-Sep-06, War Memorial Opera House: Susannahhttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/war-memorial-opera-house/susannah/06-september-2014/19-302014-09-062014-09-21War Memorial Opera HouseSan FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States9410237.7792798539192-122.4192273616794
La Fura dels Baus's production balances the familiar with modern detail in a clever staging that packs a real punch. The Arena enjoyed its centennial edition last year, and one wonders whether this might be the production that they celebrate the next time around.
2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2014-07-04UTC12:06:13+00:002014-07-01La Fura dels Baus's production balances the familiar with modern detail in a clever staging that packs a real punch. The Arena enjoyed its centennial edition last year, and one wonders whether this might be the production that they celebrate the next time around.Arena di Verona stages an unforgettable Aidaen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-aida-verona-he-sartori-june-2014Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngJames Imamhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/6732https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/6732https://bachtrack.com/files/40590-james-imam.jpgJames studied Anthropology at Cambridge University before training as a singer at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has since lived and worked in Milan where he indulges his passion for all types of music, though as a countertenor he has a special interest in Baroque opera.https://bachtrack.com/files/5845-hue_he_aida_verona.jpg275407Hue He (Aida)Ennevi |Courtesy of Fondazione Arena di Verona2014-Jun-28, Arena di Verona: Aidahttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/arena-di-verona/aida/28-june-2014/21-002014-06-282014-06-28Arena di VeronaVeronaVenetoItaly45.439010794009510.99437475204475
Don Giovanni is perhaps the most difficult of the Mozart–Da Ponte opera trilogy to stage. Not only is there the problem of how exactly the Don is to be consumed in flames at the end of its three-hour span, or the issue of how to make the statue of the Commendatore come to life.
2012Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:35:27+00:002012-11-30David Allen reviews Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera, in the 2012 revival of Michael Grandage's production.Erwin Schrott stars in the Metropolitan Opera's Don Giovannien_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-new-york-met-don-giovanni-grandage-2012Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDavid Allenhttps://bachtrack.com/files/1993-dongiovanni_3606_s.jpg400400Ildar Abdrazakov as the title role of Mozart's Don Giovanni Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera2012-Nov-28, Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House: Don Giovannihttps://bachtrack.com/listing-new-york-met-don-giovanni-grandage-20122012-11-282012-12-20Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera HouseNew York CityNew YorkUnited States1002340.772270627753-73.9839720726013
The Cleveland Orchestra closed its 2011/12 season on Thursday and Saturday, May 31 and June 2, with stirring performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem, with the orchestra’s Director of Choruses Robert Porco conducting the orchestra, the precisely-trained Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, and an unusually well-matched quartet of soloists.
2012Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:27:29+00:002012-06-07Timothy Robson reviews Robert Porco conducting the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus in Verdi's Requiem at Severance Hall.The Cleveland Orchestra concludes Severance Hall season with Verdi's Requiemen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-severance-hall-cleveland-orchestra-porco-verdi-requiemBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngTimothy Robsonhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/710https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/710https://bachtrack.com/files/40607-tim-robson.jpgTimothy is an organist in Cleveland, Ohio. His repertoire extends to all musical periods, with a special interest in contemporary music. As a blogger he is a regular contributor to ClevelandClassical.com. In his parallel career as a librarian, Tim is Associate Director for Academic Engagement at the Kelvin Smith Library of Case Western Reserve University.https://bachtrack.com/files/1400-monastyrska_6.jpg400400Liudmyla Monastyrska2012-Jun-02, Severance Hall: Cleveland Orchestrahttps://bachtrack.com/listing-severance-hall-cleveland-orchestra-porco-verdi-requiem2012-06-022012-06-02Severance HallClevelandOhioUnited States1100111001 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States41.5063477-81.60933610000001http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/event-detail/2012-Jun-01.aspx?utm_medium=display&utm_source=bachtrack.com&pid=9142https://bachtrack.com/files/35813-cleve.png4
In our youth, my brother and I adored Cecil B. DeMille’s epic film The Ten Commandments. Not only did we like the well-written and brilliant take on the beloved biblical story of Moses, but we were also fascinated by the lavish sets and historical aspects of the film.
2012Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:22:38+00:002012-01-24Kristina Powers reviews Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Aida, directed by Matthew Lata.A tale of two princesses at the Lyric Opera of Chicagoen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-lyric-opera-of-chicago-aida-matthew-lata-palumboBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngKristina Powershttps://bachtrack.com/files/954-sondra_radvanovsky__aida__in_aida___c__dan_rest___lyric_opera_of_chicago.jpg400400Sondra Radvanovsky as Aida, Dan Rest & Lyric Opera of Chicago2012-Jan-21, Lyric Opera House: Aidahttps://bachtrack.com/listing-lyric-opera-of-chicago-aida-matthew-lata-palumbo2012-01-212012-01-21Lyric Opera HouseChicagoIllinoisUnited StatesIL6060641.88256625015544-87.637429833412174
Ukranian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska made a sensational Royal Opera debut earlier this season, as a late substitute for the title role of Aida. In the revival of Phyllida Lloyd's production of Verdi's Macbeth, she produced an equally commanding performance.
2011Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2013-11-07UTC16:12:13+00:002011-05-25Macbeth at the Royal Operaen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-macbeth-royal-opera-keenlyside-monastyrskaBachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDavid Karlinhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/3https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/3https://bachtrack.com/files/40449-david-karlin.jpgDavid is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.https://bachtrack.com/files/566-macbeth.110521_0111._keenlyside_as_macbeth__monastyrska_as_lady_macbeth__c__barda_2011_1.jpg400400Simon Keenlyside as Macbeth and Liudmyla Monastyrska as Lady Macbeth get down to some plotting 2011 The Royal Opera / Clive Barda2011-May-24, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden: Macbethhttps://bachtrack.com/listing-macbeth-royal-opera-keenlyside-monastyrska2011-05-242011-05-24Royal Opera House, Covent GardenLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomWC2E 9DDBow Street,
,Covent Garden51.513371-0.122399999999974
Rigoletto is what an opera promoter might describe as a "banker": it's a safe bet to get those seats filled and keep the audience happy. There's a rare blend of gorgeously beautiful music allied to darkly nasty drama that gives the opera enormous, continuing appeal.
2010Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.png2017-07-06UTC15:33:35+00:002010-10-18Rigoletto at Covent Garden - Gavanelli and McVicar ride againen_GBtruehttps://bachtrack.com/review-rigoletto-royal-opera-mcvicar-gavanelli-october-2010Bachtrack Ltdhttps://bachtrack.com/themes/bachtrack2013/mastheadlogo.pngDavid Karlinhttps://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/3https://bachtrack.com/22/270/list-published/3https://bachtrack.com/files/40449-david-karlin.jpgDavid is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.https://bachtrack.com/files/353-080605_086_gavanelli_as_rigoletto__c_clive_barda.jpg400383Paolo Gavanelli as Rigoletto Clive Barda2010-Oct-16, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden: Rigolettohttps://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/royal-opera-house-covent-garden/rigoletto/16-october-2010/19-302010-10-162010-10-16Royal Opera House, Covent GardenLondonGreater LondonUnited KingdomWC2E 9DDBow Street,
,Covent Garden51.513371-0.122399999999973