Zambello's Show Boat at the Washington National Opera

By Simon Chin, 15 May 2013

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Reviewed at Kennedy Center: Opera House, Washington on 10 May 2013

Kern, Show Boat

Washington National Opera

John DeMain, Conductor

Francesca Zambello, Director

Michael Todd Simpson, Gaylord Ravenal

Andriana Chuchman, Magnolia

Lara Teeter, Captain Andy

Alyson Cambridge, Julie

Soloman Howard, Joe

Angela Renée Simpson, Queenie

Cindy Gold, Parthy Hawks

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A vibrant new production of Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha at Washington National Opera underscores the opera’s enduring message of education, community and social justice.

****1

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Strong singing but a stellar orchestra and staging make for a riveting production at the Kennedy Center.

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The combination of a strong, spirited cast and a first-rate orchestral performance led by Daniele Callegari rendered the opera a moving experience in spite of drab staging and latent, unexplored tensions.

***11

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Simon Chin

Simon is a writer based in Washington DC with a background in English literature and theatre. A lapsed pianist, Simon is a graduate of Harvard College, and St Catharine's College, Cambridge. Particular interests include piano, opera and Stephen Sondheim.