http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/arts/music/26lucia.html The Metropolitan Opera presented the final performance of a run of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor for its March 19 HD simulcast. Director Mary Zimmerman incorporated a ghostly apparition during Lucia’s aria, “Regnava nel silenzio” – not outlined in the score – but as a reference to the Walter Scott novel. It was haunting and effective to see as Lucia tells the story of the ghost of Lammermoor. Then in the final act, after Lucia’s demise, the specter is a pale Lucia (Natalie Dessay) who helps her grieving lover Edgardo to commit suicide. Overall the production was beautiful. Dessay’s mad scene was riveting, but I found the rest of the stage…
Scribe, Singer & Scholar
From Opera Review
Blog from the Guardian: Why does no one write about the music?
Great blog about the content of opera reviews these days. Makes me feel slightly better for neglecting to comment on the costumes and lighting in my reviews for Opera News sometimes. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/theatreblog/2011/mar/01/opera-reviews-music-critics
Dr. Adrian’s review of North Carolina Opera’s Tosca
http://operanews.com/operanews/templates/content.aspx?id=18364 At a time when opera companies are calling it quits out of financial necessity, North Carolina Opera has emerged in Raleigh. Here’s my review of NCO’s inaugural production starring Cynthia Lawrence, Grant Youngblood, and Steven Harrison. Tosca RALEIGH, NC North Carolina Opera 10/17/10 North Carolina Opera — newly formed from a merger between two smaller pre-existing companies, Opera Company of North Carolina and Capital Opera Raleigh — opened its first-ever season with an inspiring production of Puccini’s Tosca (seen Oct. 17). General director Eric Mitchko kicked off the evening with a greeting to the patrons, saying, “Opera is essential. Opera…
Is there a need for arts criticism?
http://operanews.com/operanews/templates/content.aspx?id=17888 I am currently a correspondent for Opera News and have attached a link to my most recent review of The Atlanta Opera’s production of Puccini’s La Boheme. Is there a need for performing-arts criticism and what is its purpose? Often reviews are helpful to those in the business who want to read about current productions, in order to keep abreast of who’s directing, conducting, and singing in them. Listen magazine had a terrific article by Ben Finane in its Fall 2010 issue titled “Music in the afternoon.” Finane describes how an arts critic should tell a true story of the recording or performance,…
