Tag: Opera
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Review: Least Like the Other: Searching for Rosemary Kennedy; “Lobotomy: The Opera”!
Before the lobotomy, Rosemary Kennedy loved opera. In Irish National Opera’s Least Like the Other: Searching for Rosemary Kennedy, art imitates life in the deepest irony. This is an opera about Rosemary Kennedy’s lobotomy. It’s medical misogyny set to music. Joe and Rose Kennedy’s gloss-finished Camelot, of which JFK was their triumph, unravels to reveal…
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ENO’s It’s a Wonderful Life is Wonderful, but not Very Festive ★★★
Tonight is the UK premiere of It’s a Wonderful Life, the opera. Frank Capra’s 1946 film of the same name has the emotional drama to make a good opera, but, on stage, lacks the sparkle to make Christmas magic. Fortunately, Aletta Collins’ production creates a bright and whimsical Americana aesthetic that occasionally shines through this depressing Christmas classic.…
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Why was ENO’s Yeoman of the Guard so boring?
Gilbert and Sullivan were fighting when they wrote Yeoman of the Guard. Sullivan wanted to compose a serious opera. Gilbert wanted to continue their successful brand—writing biting parody of Victorian society against the beauty of late-nineteenth century scores. In the end, Gilbert gave in to Sullivan. The result is their most serious opera. Hefty source…
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What Happened? Impressive Young Singer Inappropriately Heckled & Boo’ed Royal Opera House
Malakai M Bayoh first walks on stage as Oberto in a Puritan-inspired school uniform and a cross-the-shoulder messenger bag. He’s cleverly holding up a “Missing” poster. His character is searching for his father whom, unbeknownst to Oberto, the enchantress Alcina has turned into a lion. Bayoh is confident and consistent on stage. In the first…
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Alcina’s Magic Sparkles, but Fades Quickly at the Royal Opera House
Opening night saw the Royal Opera House buzzing for a new production of Handel’s Alcina, As if Alcina’s magic perfume cast a sleeping spell on the once-eager audience. Director Richard Jones’ production is a deconstructed Alcina — it takes apart the pieces of Handel’s hit, but is unable to put them back together. The stage…
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English National Opera’s Tosca: Young Stars Shine Bright in Timeless Tosca
120 years after its premiere, is it possible for Puccini’s Tosca to feel fresh? In its English National Opera premiere, Cristof Loy’s Tosca is a classic with a few twists. There’s more than meets the eye with this Tosca. The curtain rises with bold fanfare that gives way to an instantly familiar church. This world…
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