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Opera
La Boheme: C’Est Miserable
, by Jeannie Lieberman on Dec. 10, 2002
.New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Hms Pinafore
The flags wave, the sailors dance, and joy surges at the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players? latest production at City Center.
, by Matt Windman on Jan. 17, 2004
The Bronx Opera In Donizetti’S Don Pasquale
the Bronx Opera is famous for its young, full-voiced actor/singers who aren’t afraid to vamp and cavort when called for.
, by Joel Benjamin on May 19, 2010
Amore Opera Company And Capital Heights Lyric Opera
full productions of operas with great imagination and dedication staged on the cheap, but rich in technique and theatricality.
, by Joel Benjamin on Apr. 4, 2010
Penelope
a rarely heard opera by Gabriel Faure is brought to life by the Opera Theater of the Manhattan School of Music.
, by Joel Benjamin on Dec. 19, 2009
Sumi Jo Returns To Carmoor
For her last encore she finally sat down at the piano and accompanied herself as she sang a Korean song. It brought down the house.
, by Michael Patrick Hearn on Oct. 26, 2009
Two One-Act Chamber Operas By Martin Halpern
Two One-Act Operas by well-known American composer form an intensely satisfying evening of music and drama.
, by Joel Benjamin on Oct. 11, 2009
Semiramide At Caramoor
the opera took nearly four hours and ended about midnight. But no one seemed to mind.
, by Michael Patrick Hearn on Aug. 13, 2009
L’Elisir D’Amore
Caramoor, Bel Canto has inspired Young Artists in a program which cossets as well as rigorously trains new singers in the style.
, by Eugene Paul on July 28, 2009
Two Widows
If Two Widows is typical of the quality of the productions, the Bronx Opera deserves to stay around for quite a while.
, by Michael Patrick Hearn on Jan. 23, 2009
Our Town And Street Scene
The Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music present "Our Town" and "Street Scene," two fascinating operas, one new, one old
, by Joel Benjamin on May 1, 2008
Princess Ida
The only Gilbert and Sullivan in three acts is a sophisticated entertainment mixing feminism, grand opera and cross dressing
, by Victor Gluck on Jan. 9, 2008
Caravaggio Chiaroscuro
Ambitious one-act opera is only partly successful but offers memorable images drawn from the Renaissance artist’s work
, by Victor Gluck on Oct. 1, 2007
The Tristan Project
The Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by a Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, played with effortless intensity and deeply felt passion
, by Tuomas Hiltunen on May 8, 2007
The Pirates Of Penzance
Monty Python-esque version of Gilbert & Sullivan favorite great fun satirizing Victorian era with modern sensibility
, by Victor Gluck on Mar. 11, 2007
"Dialogues Of The Carmelites", Nbc's 1957 Broadcast Presented By Mtr
It was inspiring to be able to revisit the performances of a stellar cast, including Judith Raskin and Leontyne Price as the New Prioress.
, by Joanna Dionis on Jan. 26, 2007
Opera Orchestra Of New York: L’Amore Dei Tre Re
Samuel Ramey’s powerful portrayal of Archibaldo was the raison d’être for the revival of this romantic verismo rarity.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 4, 2006
Manhattan School Of Music Opera Theater: Cendrillon
Laurent Pillot guided Massenet’s version of Cinderella with a suitably light touch.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 30, 2006
Juilliard Opera Center: Miss Lonelyhearts (World Premiere Production)
Liebermann and McClatchy’s compelling new opera limns an advice columnist haunted by his correspondents’ pain.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 28, 2006
Dicapo Opera Theatre: Susannah
Laura Pedersen and Matthew Lau cut distinctive figures in this study of small-town hypocrisy and need for a scapegoat.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 21, 2006
Aaron Copland School Of Music & Queens College Dept. Of Drama, Theatre & Dance: Orpheus Descending (Ny Premiere)
Bruce Saylor and J.D. McClatchy's 1994 opera after Tennessee Williams' play finally reached New York.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Mar. 26, 2006
New York Philharmonic: Bluebeard's Castle
A spectacular moment found Dohnányi's players going full tilt, Otter unleashing a solid high C, and Goerne rhapsodizing.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Mar. 10, 2006
Collegiate Chorale: Treemonisha
Scott Joplin's opera score combines catchy rags and romantic grand opera ballads.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Mar. 9, 2006
Les Arts Florissants At B.A.M.: Hercules, By Handel
Shimell's graphic death scene makes its mark, but DiDonato's tour-de-force boasts despair, joy, jealousy and madness.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Feb. 15, 2006
Lincoln Center Great Performers: Ainadamar (Ny Premiere)
Golijov and Hwang's opera looks at Federico García Lorca, muse Margarita Xirgu, and their inspiration, Mariana Pineda.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 26, 2006
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: The Mikado
Haughty nobility, endearing lovers, and a nebbish of an executioner populated the beloved operetta
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 7, 2006
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: H.M.S. Pinafore
The 1878 operetta provided the ebullient opening of NYGASP's season at City Center.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 7, 2006
Manhattan School Of Music Opera Theater: Riders To The Sea & A Dinner Engagement
Promising mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann and tenor Alexander Boyer took highest vocal honors in this British double bill.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 7, 2005
Juilliard Opera Center: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Part of the school's centennial celebration, the highlight was the over-the-top bel canto parody, Pyramus and Thisbe.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Nov. 17, 2005
Juilliard Opera Center: Bartered Bride
Juilliard offers a spirited, English-language revival of the Czech national opera.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 2, 2005
Center For Contemporary Opera: Mario And The Magician (Professional Premiere)
A turbulent work, after Thomas Mann, examining obsession and passion in Fascist Italy, received a rare revival.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 1, 2005
Manhattan School Of Music Opera Theater: Zemire Und Azor
In this German romantic Beauty and the Beast, the young cast rose to most challenges of its demanding assignment
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 12, 2005
American Songbook: Passion
Patti Lupone, Michael Cerveris and Audra McDonald starred in an extraordinary revival of Sondheim's musical
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 1, 2005
New York City Opera: Candide
Opera and Broadway stars shine in a merry romp through Bernstein's musical, revived in Prince's production
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Mar. 9, 2005
New York Chamber Opera: Dido And Aeneas
Purcell's Baroque gem, led with care and feeling, was pertinently and unobtrusively updated
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 23, 2005
Bronx Opera Company: The Consul
Gian Carlo Menotti's fraught, unfortunately still relevant, Cold War-era melodrama, cloaked in lush, post-Puccinian lyricism
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 16, 2005
Richard Tucker Music Foundation Gala
Leading singers honored the memory of Metropolitan Opera tenor Richard Tucker with a rousing concert near the 30th anniversary of his death.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 11, 2005
Dame Edna Everage To Appear At The Metropolitan Opera
Rossini’s comic masterpiece, "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" ("The Barber of Seville") on Friday, December 31, 2004.
, by Staff Writer on Dec. 19, 2004
Juilliard Opera Center: L'enfant Prodigue & L'enfant Et Les Sortilèges
Short works by two of France's leading Post-Romantic composers, concerning less-than-obedient offspring, but ending happily.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 10, 2004
Manhattan School Of Music Opera Theater: A Month In The Country
Hoiby's opera after Turgenev's play, telling a tale of intrigue in Central Russia, deserves to be better known.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 8, 2004
Opera Orchestra Of New York: Fanciulla Del West
Aprile Millo sang the role of Minnie with absolute conviction, her soprano vibrant and solid.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Nov. 22, 2004
Teatro Grattacielo: Cena Delle Beffe
A terse, violent tale of revenge, treachery and fratricide in a no-holds-barred, often opulent score, played here, under Alfredo Silipigni’s baton.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Nov. 20, 2004
New York City Opera: Haroun And The Sea Of Stories
The world premier of "Haroun and the Sea of Stories", by composer Charles Wuorinen and poet James Fenton, based on Salman Rushdie's opus.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Nov. 3, 2004
Manhattan School Of Music Opera Theater: Mirandolina (American Premiere)
Bohuslav Martinu’s neo-classical comic rarity proved a worthy find.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 1, 2004
Opera Orchestra Of New York: Olga Makarina In Recital
There were welcome surprises among the largely Italian and Russian Romantic-era pieces the soprano programmed
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 29, 2004
Ny Philharmonic: Anne Sophie Von Otter & Sir Colin Davis: Berlioz & Sibelius
Anne Sophie von Otter took a lyric approach to Berlioz and, in contrast, a robust one to Sibelius.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 25, 2004
Juilliard Opera Center: Oedipus Rex & Le Rossignol
Julliard Opera Center paired a highly stylized "Oedipus Rex" with a charmingly witty "Le Rossignol", both by Stravinsky.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 22, 2004
Opera Orchestra Of New York: Gioconda
It is hard to imagine a Gioconda today who would sing with greater commitment than Aprile Millo did.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 20, 2004
Brooklyn Academy Of Music & Venice Baroque Orchestra: Siroe
The Venice Baroque Orchestra and a cast of six invested Handel rarity 'Siroe' with remarkable vitality and immediacy.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 19, 2004
Opera Orchestra Of New York: Il Corsaro
The Opera Orchestra of New York continued their season of opera-in-concert with Verdi'[s rare turbulent twelfth opera, "Il Corsaro" (1848)
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Mar. 21, 2004
Antony And Cleopatra By Gerard Chiusano And Gene Tyburn
Gerard Chiusano and Gene Tyburn's "Antony and Cleopatra" is a grand opera to anticipate.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Mar. 20, 2004
Cleveland Orchestra: Parsifal, Act Two
Restraint seemed the watchword of Pierre Boulez and Cleveland Orchestra's second act of "Parsifal" at Carnegie Hall.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Feb. 13, 2004
Les Arts Florissants
French troupe Les Arts Florissants marked the tercentenary of M.A. Charpentiers death with a pair of short operas.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Feb. 8, 2004
Bronx Opera: Equivoco Stravagante (American Premiere)
The Bronx Opera opened its season by introducing a sparkling Rossini rarity, Equivoco Stravagante, in English.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 13, 2004
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Iolanthe
Members of Parliament meet fairies in NYGASP's delightful season opener.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 9, 2004
Opera Orchestra Of New York: Anna Bolena
Eve Queler's Opera Orchestra opened its season with a lyrical "Anna Bolena", with, alas, numerous cuts
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 16, 2003
Manhattan School Of Music Opera Theater: A Midsummer Night's Dream
The performers and production team for Britten's opera created an enchanting evening in fairyland.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 11, 2003
Brooklyn Philharmonic & Ridge Theater At Bam: The Death Of Klinghoffer
John Adams 1991 opera returned to Brooklyn Academy of Music for staged concert hearings.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 9, 2003
Teatro Grattacielo: Guglielmo Ratcliff
Teatro Grattacielo aired Mascagni's rare "Guglielmo Ratcliff", led by Alfredo Silipigni, starring Lando Bartolini.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Nov. 25, 2003
Ned Rorem 80Th Birthday Gala: Magic Circle Opera Repertory Ensemble
Magic Circle Opera's Ned Rorem 80th birthday gala included two short operas and a salute by Edward Albee.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Oct. 27, 2003
The Yeomen Of The Guard, New York Gilbert And Sullivan Players At Symphony Space
NYGASP revived "Yeomen of the Guard," most serious and operatic of Gilbert &Sullivan's operetta.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 3, 2003
Vera Galupe-Borszkh's Second Annual Comeback Soirees At La Belle Epoque
Traumatic soprano Vera Galupe-Borszkh (Ira Siff) takes aim at opera at La Belle Epoque.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 1, 2003
Beatrice Et Benedict, Manhattan School Of Music Opera Theater
Manhattan School of Music marked Berlioz's bicentennial with a charming "Beatrice et Benedict.".
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 26, 2003
Cosi Fan Tutte At Bam
Cosi fan tutte comes to Brooklyn Academy of Music in Jonathan Miller's unorthodox production.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 25, 2003
Attila, Opera Orchestra Of New York
Opera Orchestra "Attila," with Samuel Ramey and Lauren Flanigan, boasted lusty vocalism.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 24, 2003
Carmilla
La MaMa has revived rock opera "Carmilla" with members of the original 1970 cast.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 11, 2003
Beatrice Et Benedict, New York Philharmonic
Sir Colin Davis and Edward Berkeley made the NY Philharmonic's "Beatrice et Benedict" flow smoothly.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 10, 2003
Antony And Cleopatra: American Composers Orchestra
The American Composers Orchestra's "Antony and Cleopatra" brought back memories.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 7, 2003
La Forza Del Destino, Collegiate Chorale
The Collegiate Chorale and guest soloists assisted by the Orchestra of St. Lukes, under Robert Bass' baton, presented a full-throated performance of Verdi's sprawling epic opera.
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 24, 2003
The Bartered Bride, Bronx Opera Company
Some of the best singing on opening night came from supporting artists, in the third act, including the circus performers’ duet, courtesy of Megan Weston and David A. Gordon
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 12, 2003
Die Fledermaus
The Met’s sumptuous New Year’s present, this Johann Strauss operetta, just keeps on giving. The bane of a few opera purists, Fledermaus features almost as much dialogue as it does singing, and it dares to be funny, and lighthearted in its romance.
, by Robert Windeler on Jan. 7, 2003
The Seagull: Pasatieri/ Elmslie's 1974 Opera
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 17, 2002
Edgar: A Puccini Rarity
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Dec. 10, 2002
Eugene Onegin - Young Talent At Juilliard
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Nov. 18, 2002
Damnation De Faust
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Oct. 29, 2002
Pirates And Penzance
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 18, 2002
Sandman
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 9, 2002
Boccaccio
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 18, 2002
Monteverdi's "Orfeo"
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 28, 2002
Heloise And Abelard
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 27, 2002
Ulisse
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 16, 2002
Porgy
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Mar. 11, 2002
Philharmonic In Fairly Refreshing "Entführung"
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 9, 2002
Nygasp's "Patience"
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on May 13, 2002
Pinafore
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 20, 2002
Nygasp "Mikado" For Season's Grand Finale
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Jan. 25, 2002
Dora
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Apr. 8, 2002
Eos Night Celebration Of American Music
, by Bruce-Michael Gelbert on Feb. 22, 2002