Psychologically powerful Werther in Boston

By Kevin Wells, 21 March 2016

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Reviewed at Boch Center: Shubert Theater, Boston on 16 March 2016

Massenet, Werther

Boston Lyric Opera

David Angus, Conductor

Crystal Manich, Director

John Conklin, Set Designer

Deborah Newhall, Costume Designer

Alex Richardson, Werther

Sandra Piques Eddy, Charlotte

Rachele Gilmore, Sophie

John Hancock, Albert

Jonathan Jurgens, Schmidt

David McFerrin, Johann

James Demler, Le Bailli

Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra

Boston Lyric Opera’s Macbeth is hobbled by miscalculations

Kevin Wells, 10th October

David Angus leads a taut, spirited performance, but Steve Maler’s staging of Verdi's first Shakespearean opera raises many questions.

**111

Korngold’s Die tote Stadt, more alive than ever in Boston

Cameron Kelsall, 30th January

The composer's magnum opus, unjustly neglected in English-speaking countries, receives magnificent treatment from Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, anchored by David Butt Philip and Christine Goerke.

*****

Flawed staging, compelling singing: Eurydice at Boston Lyric Opera

Kevin Wells, 10th March

Conducting a reduced version of his own opera, Matthew Aucoin's Eurydice still packs a big punch.

***11

Beantown rags to riches: BLO’s Cenerentola an unalloyed delight

Kevin Wells, 12th November

Impeccable ensemble work in Dawn M Simmons' first foray into opera.

*****

Harrowing intimacy: Boston Lyric Opera’s Bluebeard’s Castle

Kevin Wells, 26th March

Boston Lyric Opera decamps to a 1919 wharf shed for a production of Bartók's eerie two-hander, framed by four of Alma Mahler's songs.

****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

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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!

Fade to black: Psychologically powerful Werther in Boston