Berkshire Opera's sparkling Don Pasquale

By Robert Levine, 26 August 2019

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“But heavens, it was funny”

Reviewed at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington on 24 August 2019

Donizetti, Don Pasquale

Berkshire Opera

Brian Garman, Conductor

Jonathon Loy, Director

Stephen Dobay, Set Designer

Charles Caine, Costume Designer

Craig Colclough, Don Pasquale

Deanna Breiwick, Norina

Emmett O'Hanlon, Dr Malatesta

Matthew Grills, Ernesto

Siddharth Dubey, A Notary

Berkshire Opera makes a triumphant return with Verdi's Falstaff

Robert Levine, 21st August

The world could use a laugh... and Brian Garman and his team deliver belly laughs aplenty at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.

*****

Joana Mallwitz makes a radiant Met debut leading a vigorous Figaro

Susan Stempleski, 31st March

A rising German conductor draws superb playing from the orchestra in the Met’s fifth revival of Richard Eyre’s witty 2014 production.

****1

Inheriting Callas’ crown in Athens: Pirozzi takes on Medea

Mark Pullinger, 25th April

The punishing role of Medea is forever associated with Maria Callas. To celebrate the diva’s centenary, Greek National Opera presents a new production by Sir David McVicar, starring Italian soprano Anna Pirozzi.

****1

Met Opera revives Le nozze di Figaro with musical style

Linda Holt, 16th November

In its revival of the 2014 production of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, the Metropolitan Opera offers a satisfying blend of comic antics, beautifully realized music, and some top-notch singing in several roles.

****1

Met's revival of Figaro as relevant today as ever

Ako Imamura, 9th December

Under elegant leadership of conductor Harry Bicket, the Met's revival of the "Marriage of Figaro" succeeds with a strong ensemble of cast.

****1

Anna Netrebko shines in Vienna’s timeless Tosca

Laura Servidei, 18th April

In a world where opera productions often stray into the abstract, the Wiener Staatsoper’s Tosca offers a refreshing return to tradition – and Anna Netrebko delivers a splendid performance.

****1

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Robert Levine

Robert T. Levine is a New York born-and-bred music writer with a particular interest in music for the voice. His work has appeared in many periodicals and newspapers. He is the author of many books, including The Story of the Orchestra, four volumes in the Black Dog & Leventhal Opera Library, and, most recently, Maria Callas: A Musical Biography.