Maria Padilla Claims Her Crown At Opera Boston

By Susan Blood, 12 May 2011

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Reviewed at Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston on 6 May 2011

Donizetti, Maria Padilla

Opera Boston

Gil Rose, Conductor

Julia Pevzner, Director

Barbara Quintiliani, Maria Padilla

Adriano Graziani, Don Ruiz

Laura Vlasak Nolen, Ines

Young-Bok Kim, Don Ramiro

DongWon Kim, Don Pedro

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Susan Blood, 21st October

Opera Boston, whose mantra is “Only innovative repertory. Only original productions” has created a new production of Berlioz' Béatrice et Bénédict for Boston. Seductively charming, the production's depth and complexity become apparent with time and acquaintance – just like any worthwhile relationship.This little-seen opera is sung in French, with spoken dialogue.

The Tsar’s Bride: a powerhouse of dramatic detail

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Rimsky-Korsakov's opera remain rarities outside Russia, but the Bolshoi Opera made The Tsar’s Bride the anchor of this year's Hong Kong Arts Festival programme.

****1

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“It is not his trial, it is mine, mine. It is I whom the devil awaits.” Richard Croft's Vere leads an outstanding cast in LA Opera's revival of Billy Budd.

****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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Clare Varney, 17th April

Tobias Kratzer's 2024 Munich production makes its way to Amsterdam, proving that Weinberg's opera has the power to transfix.

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Director Tobias Kratzer engineers a haunting pasticcio of Schumann, Bartók and Zemlinsky, tracing the domestic sphere’s shift from romantic surrender to the blood-soaked secrets of a century-spanning house.

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Susan Blood

Susan's experience includes art school administration, gallery management, music publicity and journalism which you can find in print and online with her blog here. As a reviewer she has attended theater, opera, ballet and symphony all her life and loves having the opportunity to share it with others.