Author: stephanieadrian
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Opera Requires Suspension of Disbelief…Sometimes
A Night at the Opera by William Matthews (from Search Party: Collected Poems) “The tenor’s too fat,” the beautiful young woman complains, “and the soprano dowdy and old.” But what if Othello’s not black, if Rigoletto’s hump lists, if airy Gilda and her entourage of flesh outweigh the cello section? In fairy tales, the prince…
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More about Porgy and Bess
Opera is a music drama in which all dialogue is sung. Gershwin used the operatic convention of recitative within his Porgy and Bess in order to forward the plot of the opera. Bess’ brief aria “What you want wid Bess?” is preceded by sung dialogue with her old boyfriend, the drug addict and murderer, Crown. This…
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This Week at the Royal Opera House…
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/is-anna-nicole-smith-worthy-of-an-opera/article1910008/ Above is an article about the new opera Anna Nicole by composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Richard Thomas which premieres in London this week. It’s surprising that such an esteemed baritone, Gerald Finley, would agree to be part of the cast and makes me wonder what the music is like.
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The Importance of Philanthropy
http://www.artscriticatl.com/2011/02/breaking-news-atlanta-opera-is-here-to-stay-with-9-million-gift/ Breaking news: Atlanta Opera is “here to stay” with $9 million gift from long-time benefactor
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Gershwin’s Folk Opera: Porgy and Bess
I’ll be reviewing the Atlanta Opera’s production of Porgy and Bess in a week and have posted a rendition of one of the opera’s hits, “Summertime.” Porgy and Bess premiered on Broadway in 1935, but it wasn’t until Houston Grand Opera produced it in 1976 that it began to be recognized as opera. Gershwin’s opus is ultimately…
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Vox Populi and the Houston Grand Opera
Anthony Freud is the new General Director of Houston Grand Opera and believes that his opera company is essentially a cultural services company. His mission goes beyond selling tickets to the mainstage productions and education outreach (opera camps, opera in schools, preschool opera programs). Freud has developed a program called Song of Houston in which he co-commissions and produces operas…
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Cast Change for Upcoming Wagner Operas at the Met
The Metropolitan Opera’s new “Ring” cycle has lost its Siegfried. Ben Heppner, one of the best Wagnerian tenors around, withdrew from performances of the last two installments of the cycle, “Siegfried” and “Gotterdammerung,” next season. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/ben-heppner-drops-out-of-the-mets-ring/ Heppner is a Heldentenor (heroic tenor) – as termed by the German Theatre Fach System – and has the ability to…
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Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions – Southeast Regional Finals
I attended the Southeast Regional Finals of the Met Auditions in Atlanta, GA today. Fifteen singers ranging in age from 20-29 competed, having prepared five arias that had been practiced and polished. Today’s winner will compete in the NYC semi-finals on March 6, 2011. In 1954 the Metropolitan Opera founded its Council auditions in order to…
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Atlanta Opera’s 2011-12 season highlighted by new version of Willy Wonka’s magical Chocolate Factory | ArtsCriticATL.com
Atlanta Opera’s 2011-12 season highlighted by new version of Willy Wonka’s magical Chocolate Factory | ArtsCriticATL.com.
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District Metropolitan Opera Auditions at Spivey Hall
Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Sunday, February 6, 2011 2PM
Stephanie Adrian 