John Malkovich crafts a convincing Casanova in The Giacomo Variations in Toronto

By Stanley Fefferman, 11 June 2013

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Reviewed at Elgin Theatre, Toronto on 7 June 2013

Haselböck, The Giacomo Variations

John Malkovich, Vocals

Ingeborda Dapkūnaitė, Vocals

Orchester Wiener Akademie

Michael Sturminger, Director

Kirsten Blaise, Soprano

Daniel Schmutzhard, Baritone

Everything and the kitchen sink in Vienna's Woods

Chanda VanderHart, 18th March

Every operatic ingredient was thrown into the pot for H.K. Gruber's Geschichten aus dem Wiener Wald (Tales from the Vienna Woods), but do too many cooks spoil this operatic broth?

***11

My Fair Lady auf St. Pauli: Silvester in der Elbphilharmonie

Sarah Schnoor, 31st December

So schön das Orchester im Walzertakt schwingt, so lustlos und unschön sind Beschallung und Inszenierung.

***11

Sir Thomas Allen’s Figaro for Scottish Opera still entertains

David Smythe, 9th May

A traditional Marriage of Figaro entertains with a strong cast, eye-catching design and lighting, and Amanda Holden’s earthy libretto.

****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

Welsh National Opera’s Dutchman docks in Birmingham

Rohan Shotton, 7th May

This bracing performance of The Flying Dutchman is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary musical standards which are at risk in the face of WNO’s subsidy cuts.

****1

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Stanley Fefferman

Stanley Fefferman is Professor Emeritus at York University, Toronto. He is active in classical, new music, and jazz circles as a writer and accredited performance photographer. His work is archived on Canadian sites The Live Music Report.com, Showtimemagazine.ca, and OpusOneReview.com. His website is here.