Boulanger, Debussy and Puccini with Nelsons, Opolais, and the BSO

By Kevin Wells, 24 February 2019

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“The BSO performed the opera as if it were an old friend... with precision, transparency, and colors”

Reviewed at Symphony Hall, Boston on 21 February 2019

Boulanger, D'un soir triste

Debussy, Nocturnes, L 91

Puccini, Suor Angelica (Concert performance)

Andris Nelsons, Conductor

Kristine Opolais, Suor Angelica

Violeta Urmana, La zia principessa

Fatma Said, Suor Genovieffa

Dana Beth Miller, La badessa

Mary Ann McCormick, La suora zelatrice

Tanglewood Festival Chorus

Boston Symphony Children's Choir

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Lorelei Ensemble

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****1

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut's Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

The Met’s Frida y Diego proves visually stunning, musically thrilling

David Wolfson, 22nd May

Deborah Colker and her design team create visually vibrant worlds for the Met’s new production of El último sueño de Frida y Diego, by Pulitzer Prize winner Gabriela Lena Frank.

*****

Glyndebourne’s first Tosca: vocally strong but imperfect

David Karlin, 21st May

Ted Huffman brings some interesting ideas to his first Glyndebourne production. Excellent singing is let down by indifferent physical acting.

***11

Dudamel’s LA Phil Walküre proves worth the wait

Matthew Richard Martinez, 21st May

An enveloping performance of Die Walküre spans three consecutive evenings, featuring world class singing in Frank Gehry’s stunning space.

****1

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!

Twilight raptures: Boulanger, Debussy and Suor Angelica with Nelsons, Opolais, and the BSO