Love and suffering uniquely explored in Glimmerglass Festival's Passions

By Gale Martin, 31 July 2013

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Alice Busch Opera Theater, Cooperstown on 29 July 2013

Lang, The Little Match Girl Passion

Pergolesi, Stabat Mater

Jessica Lang, Choreography

Nadine Sierra, Soprano

Anthony Roth Costanzo, Countertenor

Speranza Scappucci, Conductor

Diminishing returns in The Royal Opera’s Sicilian Vespers

Eleanor Knight, 19th September

Joyce El-Khoury saves the day in The Royal Opera’s second revival of The Sicilian Vespers in Stefan Herheim’s paint-by-numbers production.

***11

Eugene Onegin revival fails to find the magic spark in Toronto

John Gilks, 2nd May

Robert Carsen’s 1997 production of Eugene Onegin has aged remarkably well but the latest Canadian Opera Company revival of it doesn’t quite recapture its magic.

***11

Ravel at 150: a celebration of colour and rhythm from the NSO

Andrew Larkin, 7th March

Conductor Speranza Scappucci led a vibrant programme of orchestral and vocal works, blending Spanish flair and humor in this enjoyable performance.

***11

Human tragedy: a punchy revival of Jones' La bohème

Dominic Lowe, 16th December

It's not without flaws, but the latest revival of Richard Jones' beautiful production of Puccini's beloved Parisian tale has drama aplenty.

***11

Puccini’s flawed La rondine returns to the Met

Susan Stempleski, 26th March

Angel Blue and Jonathan Tetelman star in a revival of Nicolas Joël’s 2008 production of the Italian master’s sole attempt at crossover.

***11

McVicar's grim and creepy Macbeth impresses at Canadian Opera Company

John Gilks, 28th April

Sir David McVicar's grim and creepy take on Verdi's Macbeth, backed up by brilliant conducting from Speranza Scappucci and a fine performance of the title role by Quinn Kelsey, is the best thing seen at the COC since lockdown.

****1

More reviews...

Gale Martin

Based on the East Coast, Gale is an award-winning writer on the performing arts, books, literature and popular culture. She has just published Don Juan in Hankey and you can read her Operatoonity blog. Her articles have appeared in numerous anthologies.