A timely Mother of Us All at the Metropolitan Museum

By Kurt Gottschalk, 14 February 2020

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“headed up by Felicia Moore, who as Anthony carried most of the weight of the production”

Reviewed at Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City on 11 February 2020

Thomson, The Mother of Us All

Daniela Candillari, Conductor

Louisa Proske, Director

Felicia Moore, Susan B. Anthony

Singers from Juilliard's Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts

Musicians from the New York Philharmonic

Steven Beck, Piano

Compelling new opera explores a 300-year-old feminist dream

Kurt Gottschalk, 23rd January

At the center of this production is the centuries-old verse of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the wondrous voice of Magos Herrera and a richly realized telling of the quest for knowledge.

****1

Child's play: inventive, moving Rinaldo at Glimmerglass

Cameron Kelsall, 31st July

Director Louisa Proske refracts Handel's tale of warlords and witches through the prism of a juvenile dream world, aided by a game cast headed by Anthony Roth Costanzo.

****1

Chausson's rarely heard Le Roi Arthus well served at Bard

Robert Levine, 25th July

The first fully staged American production of Chausson's sole opera features remarkable singing, fine storytelling and plush orchestral playing.

****1

Die Liebschaften wechseln wie im Fluge: Händels Serse in Halle

Michael Vieth, 26th May

Zehrende Sehnsucht und pralle Komödie des brillanten Ensembles machten die Eröffnung der Händelfestspiele Halle zum Ereignis.

****1

Rossini's Cenerentola proves great fun in Adelaide

Sandra Bowdler, 7th May

Neil Armfield's production for State Opera South Australia combines a sparkling night of entertainment with first class musical values.

****1

Werther oozes quiet despair in new Canadian Opera Company staging

John Gilks, 7th May

Excellent performances cannot turn a conventional production of Massenet’s Werther into a dramatic experience for the 21st century.

***11

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.

Gertrude Stein, Susan B Anthony and a timely Mother of Us All at the Metropolitan Museum