Viardot vs Grisi

Minnesota Opera’s world-class production of Verdi’s Macbeth proved the perfect accessory to the harsh winter conditions that befell the Twin Cities at the time of its premiere on January 25^th. The icy precipitation that shut down the Minnesota public school system did not thwart attendance to the ShakesVerdian piece at St.…

The Atlanta Opera presents Puccini’s Tosca

Change was in the air last Saturday when the Atlanta Opera unveiled its 2013-14 season opener, Puccini’s Tosca, to an enthusiastic reception. The performance also marked a relatively sudden changing of the guard in administration: The ascend of Tomer Zulun as Artistic director officially, signaling the end of Zurich General Director Dennis Hanthorn’s tenure.…

There isn’t much going on in Indianola, Iowa, and its residents (ie: a handful of grindr chatters) will be the first to remind you of their bleak existence. Tallying up their stories against a quick drive around town, and their complaints are not without basis.…

Atlanta closed its 2012-13 season with a double whammy. On the eve of the unveiling of its season closer (Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri”), the company officially announced the appointment of its new General and Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun, following the awkward resignation of Zurich General Director Dennis Hanthorn last July.…

Conductor Eve Queler has a particular affinity for Verdi’s early masterpiece “I lombardi”. She also has a way of sniffing out the right mix of talent for this opera: The first go about featured the then reigning diva of Italian opera Renata Scotto, singing alongside the 24 year-old Jose Carreras.…

On April 7^th, amidst the noise of a rowdy outdoor concert held by students of George Washington University sipping into the halls of Lisner Auditorium, the delightful baton of conductor Antony Walker led the orchestra and chorus of the Washington Concert Opera in a performance of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda.…

The Atlanta Opera unveiled its production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” on March 2, and newoutpost was present for the second performance on March 5^th to report on the proceedings. In opera we always hope for, but do not expect, perfection, and this Traviata was no exception.…

Following the success of Sarasota’s presentation of Puccini’s “Turandot,” we came back the following day to sample the virtues Bizet’s “Les pecheurs de perles,” a rarity by the same composer of the eternal “Carmen”. Kept alive today by its ravishing duet for tenor and baritone, the opera has enjoyed a bit of a revival for the past 20 years, picked up by companies around the world looking to stage an obscuse, exotic work, all the while warranted by the name of a popular composer.…

February 2013. An icy nor’easter as taken over the North Eastern United States, causing millions to remain indoors in fearful hybernation. But it matters little, as newoutpost reports this bulletin from Sarasota Florida, where a balmy 85 degrees seems the norm.…

Amidst buzz on the recent departure of its artistic director, Dennis Hawthorne, the Atlanta Opera opened its 2012-2013 season with Bizet’s Carmen to an enthusiastic reception on Saturday, November 10. The evening was led Carl and Sally Gable Music Director Arthur Fagen, whose polished baton emphasized the vitality and sparkling qualities of this familiar score.…