Vanessa: a winter storm in Santa Fe's desert

By Maria Nockin, 02 August 2016

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“Snowstorms raged outside while overwhelming emotions ravaged the mansion’s... inhabitants”

Reviewed at Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe on 30 July 2016

Barber, Vanessa

Santa Fe Opera

Leonard Slatkin, Conductor

James Robinson, Director

Allen Moyer, Set Designer

James Schuette, Costume Designer

Erin Wall, Vanessa

Virginie Verrez, Erika

Zach Borichevsky, Anatol

James Morris, The Old Doctor

Helene Schneiderman, The Old Baroness

Hidden tears season the comedy in Santa Fe's enchanting Elixir

Thomas May, 31st July

In this revival of Stephen Lawless' busy production, set in 1945 Italy, young American tenor Jonah Hoskins' endearing performance tilts Donizetti's charmer in a Nemorino-centric direction.

****1

Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered

Thomas May, 29th July

David Alden's staging of Alcina mines the rich theatricality of one of Handel's best-loved operas with enchanting but also perplexing results.

****1

Steve Jobs scores a success in Santa Fe

Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 22nd July

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

***11

Brenda Rae carries Santa Fe Opera's Lucia

Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 21st July

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

***11

The Golden Cockerel soars in Santa Fe

Ilana Walder-Biesanz, 19th July

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

****1

Majeski stars in a superb Santa Fe Capriccio

Maria Nockin, 5th August

Maestro Leo Hussain’s translucent rendition of the score made Capriccio the crowning glory of the Santa Fe Opera Season.

*****

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Maria Nockin

Originally 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.