Boston Lyric Opera’s Macbeth is hobbled by miscalculations

Norman Garrett (Macbeth) and Alexandra LoBianco (Lady Macbeth)

Norman Garrett (Macbeth)

Omar Najmi (Malcolm), David Junghoon Kim (Macduff) and the Boston Lyric Opera Chorus

Zaikuan Song (Banquo) and the Boston Lyric Opera Chorus

By Kevin Wells, 13 October 2025

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“questionable choices frequently blunt the dramatic effect of a scene”

Reviewed at Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston on 10 October 2025

Verdi, Macbeth

Boston Lyric Opera

David Angus, Conductor

Steve Maler, Director

Amy Rubin, Set Designer

Amanda Gladu, Costume Designer

Eric Southern, Lighting Designer

Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra

Boston Lyric Opera Chorus

Norman Garrett, Macbeth

Alexandra LoBianco, Lady Macbeth

Zaikuan Song, Banquo

David Junghoon Kim, Macduff

Omar Najmi, Malcolm

Vera Savage, Lady in Waiting

Devon Russo, Doctor

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.

*****

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

Kevin Wells, 26th March

Boston Lyric Opera decamps to a 1919 wharf shed for a production of Bartók's eerie two-hander, framed by four of Alma Mahler's songs.

****1

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

More reviews...

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!