Harrowing intimacy: Boston Lyric Opera’s Bluebeard’s Castle

Ryan McKinny (Bluebeard) and Naomi Louisa O'Connell (Judith)

Naomi Louisa O'Connell

Naomi Louisa O'Connell (Judith)

By Kevin Wells, 29 March 2023

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“the surface is such a highly polished black the bed seems to float on a dark lake”

Reviewed at The Terminal @ Flynn Cruiseport Boston, Boston on 26 March 2023

Bartók, Duke Bluebeard's Castle (arr. Eberhard Kloke)

Boston Lyric Opera

David Angus, Conductor

Anne Bogart, Director

Sara Brown, Set Designer

Trevor Bowen, Costume Designer

Brian Scott, Lighting Designer

Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra

Ryan McKinny, Bluebeard

Naomi Louisa O'Connell, Judith

Yukiko Oba, Piano

Boston Lyric Opera’s Macbeth is hobbled by miscalculations

Kevin Wells, 10th October

David Angus leads a taut, spirited performance, but Steve Maler’s staging of Verdi's first Shakespearean opera raises many questions.

**111

Korngold’s Die tote Stadt, more alive than ever in Boston

Cameron Kelsall, 30th January

The composer's magnum opus, unjustly neglected in English-speaking countries, receives magnificent treatment from Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, anchored by David Butt Philip and Christine Goerke.

*****

Flawed staging, compelling singing: Eurydice at Boston Lyric Opera

Kevin Wells, 10th March

Conducting a reduced version of his own opera, Matthew Aucoin's Eurydice still packs a big punch.

***11

Beantown rags to riches: BLO’s Cenerentola an unalloyed delight

Kevin Wells, 12th November

Impeccable ensemble work in Dawn M Simmons' first foray into opera.

*****

Merrily We Roll Puccini: Boston Lyric presents Bohème in reverse

Kevin Wells, 30th September

Yuval Sharon’s production of La bohème turns the opera upside down... with captivating consequences.

****1

Acustica rusticana: Boston Lyric’s first-rate Cavalleria hobbled

Kevin Wells, 3rd October

The white hot intensity and conviction of the duet between Santuzza and Turiddu encapsulated the strengths of this performance.

***11

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!