Ambiguity, half-truth, obfuscation

By Timothy Robson, 03 May 2017

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“the mists suddenly and magically enveloped the scene, leaving us with more questions than answers”

Reviewed at Severance Music Center: Mandel Concert Hall, Cleveland on 2 May 2017

Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande (Concert performance)

Franz Welser-Möst, Conductor

Yuval Sharon, Director

Mimi Lien, Set Designer

Ann Closs-Farley, Costume Designer

Elliot Madore, Pelléas

Martina Janková, Mélisande

Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Golaud

Peter Rose, Arkel

Nancy Maultsby, Geneviève

Julie Mathevet, Yniold

David Castillo, Shepherd, A Doctor

The Cleveland Orchestra

Danielle Agami, Choreography

Tristan und Isolde at the Met: staging gets in the way of the music

No’a L. bat Miri, 9th March

Michael Spyres shines in his debut as Tristan alongside powerhouse soprano Lise Davidsen as Isolde in Yuval Sharon's new, beguiling production at the Metropolitan Opera.

***11

La bohème (in reverse) in Philadelphia

Linda Holt, 30th April

Yuval Sharon's La bohème for Opera Philadelphia proves a mix of great singing and disorienting navigation.

****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

Yuval Sharon’s pop Zauberflöte at the Staatsoper Berlin

Laura Servidei, 4th October

The Staatsoper Unter den Linden presents Yuval Sharon’s shocking production of Mozart’s masterpiece, full of references to pop culture, side by side with the traditional one by Everding in the same season. A solid cast does justice to his fun, entertaining, bold production.

****1

Bayreuth's Lohengrin lacks electricity

Zoltán Szabó, 29th July

Yuval Sharon's production returns to Bayreuth in a musically compelling performance.

***11

Monk's ATLAS a remarkable odyssey in Los Angeles

Matthew Richard Martinez, 11th June

Meredith Monk's ATLAS is presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Yuval Sharon's production.

****1

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Timothy Robson

We are saddened to learn of the death of Tim Robson, a long-time Bachtrack contributor (2012-21). Tim was an organist in Cleveland, Ohio and his repertoire extended to all musical periods, with a special interest in contemporary music. As a blogger he was a regular contributor to ClevelandClassical.com. In his parallel career as a librarian, Tim was Associate Director for Academic Engagement at the Kelvin Smith Library of Case Western Reserve University. Our condolences to his family.

Ambiguity, half-truth, obfuscation: a transcendent Pelléas et Mélisande by The Cleveland Orchestra