Heather Johnson gives Carmen new meaning in Baltimore

By Raisa Massuda, 08 May 2013

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Reviewed at The Engineers Club: Grand Ballroom, Baltimore on 3 May 2013

Bizet, Carmen

Baltimore Concert Opera

Ronald Gretz, Conductor

Tim Ribchester, Piano

Heather Johnson, Carmen

Benjamin Warschawski, Don José

Timothy Mix, Escamillo

Colleen Daly, Micaëla

Emily Ezzie, Frasquita

Melissa Kornacki, Mercédès

David B. Morris, Zuniga

Greg Hoyt, Moralès

Jason Widney, Le Dancaïre

David Sadlier, Le Remendado

The arts rule: evocative Lakmé in Baltimore

Phillip Nones, 3rd May

The Baltimore Concert Opera overcomes two major obstacles – a city under siege and the illness of the lead singer – to present a thoroughly engaging performance of Leo Delibes' Lakme.

***11

Irish National Opera’s new Rusalka intrigues more than it convinces

Andrew Larkin, 22nd March

Netia Jones’ modern reimagining intrigues more than it convinces, but still makes a strong case for Dvořák’s dark fairy tale.

***11

Billy Budd, or the Triumph of Beauty at the Opéra de Lyon

Stéphane Lelièvre, 21st March

The Opéra de Lyon presents Britten’s masterpiece for the first time: a triumph, both visually and musically, which is received with great enthusiasm by the audience.

****1

Magnifying Glass: a magnificent Les Enfants terribles in Lille

Elena Luporini, 20th March

A new production of Les Enfants terribles at the Opéra de Lille drags the audience into a terribly marvelous labyrinth, courtesy of conductor Virginie Déjos and directors Matthias Piro and Lisa Moro.

*****

Siegfried at the RBO: Kosky and Pappano surprise and delight

David Karlin, 17th March

A revelatory orchestral performance and a cast led by Andreas Schager, Christopher Maltman and Elisabeth Strid make this a Siegfried for the record books.

*****

Opera Australia’s Eugene Onegin shines musically

Sandra Bowdler, 17th March

Eugene Onegin returns to the Sydney Opera house in Kasper Holten’s slightly awkward production but the singing and orchestral playing are exemplary.

****1

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Raisa Massuda

A firm believer in the importance of music at any age, Raisa teaches Opera Appreciation Seminars in a Senior Center in Baltimore, MD. She has launched a Live Opera for Seniors series, allowing her low-income students to study and attend free. Raisa is the author of a music and opera blog called Mandolin Vision.