Susan Graham and Renée Fleming stunning at Disney Hall

As part of the season of Scrooges and Santas, it’s a refreshing reminder of sweet simplicity in a complicated world.  

Houston Grand Opera’s season-opening production of the fiery opera does it right, from lighting to set to singing, and the end result is a stunning beginning to its season.

On Saturday night the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater was packed with opera fans who had come to enjoy a solo recital from aspiring American soprano Angela Meade. No wonder this one-time-only performance was a complete sell-out – there was no way that DC opera fans would pass up the opportunity to sneak-preview her performance, as she is up for the title role in Bellini’s Norma later this season.

The Metropolitan Opera makes good on its promise to present more contemporary work, opening the season with Jake Heggie's gut wrenching tale of rage and redemption. 

This was astonishing and gripping vocalism from a true master of Berlioz style.

Susan Graham had all the fun every mezzo-soprano witch, who can sing the role and disguise herself – when necessary – to look the part, deserves.