Performer: Thaddeus Strassberger

LA Opera’s new season opens with a new production of Bizet’s Carmen, conducted by new Music Director Domingo Hindoyan, but the spectacular effects detract from the drama. 

Thaddeus Strassberger’s Brussels debut presents Berlioz's opera semiseria with plenty of good music but far more visual noise. 

Any parallels between Rome in the first century under Emperor Titus and the United States two millennia later under Emperor Trump were lost in a Tinseltown graphic novel sweep.

Thaddeus Strassberger proposed a mise-en-scène where the story is reenacted in Tamara’s confused mind while she is confined in a monastery.

Monstyrska dominates as Abigaille, Domingo brings his unique baritenor style to the title role, Thaddeus Strassberger creates a riot of colour and antiquarian style.

In its first full staging in Russia, Miecysław Weinberg’s complex, eclectic score is sung and played with excellence; Thaddeus Strassberger's direction and staging presses all the emotional buttons.

In common with Satyagraha, the core of Mozart's Enlightenment opera is forgiveness: versatile opera director Strassberger discusses his forthcoming LA production and how he gets the best from his singers.