Category Archives: Opera
Farewell Opera Boston
The impact of the economic crises seems to hit the arts in painful slow motion. The most recent sign of serious distress is the announcement that Opera Boston will shut down, largely because of “lackluster fundraising in a tough … Continue reading
Newt Gingrich: Opera Lover
As Newt Gingrich rises in the polls, it’s worth putting one little item on the table of public discourse: He loves opera. In Washington, lots of people love opera, but it’s rare for politicians with national ambitions to love … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Music, Opera, Uncategorized
Opera and “Der Blaue Engel”
Joseph von Sternberg’s “Der Blaue Engel” is generally acknowledged the first great German sound film, and no surprise then that it is remembered primarily as a vehicle for Marlene Dietrich, who sings up a storm of desire and despair. But … Continue reading
Salome at the Washington National Opera
A few quick thoughts on the Washington National Opera’s production of Salome, which I saw Friday evening. Deborah Voigt works very hard in the title role, and you sense the work every step of the way. In the first two … Continue reading
Joan Sutherland, dead at 83
The epithets were all deserved. Voice of the Century? Yes, absolutely. La Stupenda? I can’t imagine applying the words to anyone else. Orthodoxy compelled one to place Joan Sutherland a close second to Maria Callas when assessing the greatest sopranos … Continue reading
Un ballo in maschera at Washington National Opera
Last night, I took in the last performance of the Washington National Opera’s season-opener, Un ballo in maschera, by Verdi. I’ve always put Ballo in the same category as Il Trovatore, a musically infectious work with a silly libretto. But … Continue reading
The Bed Intruder Song
Journalists spend way too much time chasing the ephemera of Youtube, which is a hungry, hungry medium. But I had just finished doing a little project on the music of Leos Janacek when I discovered the Bed Intruder Song, which … Continue reading
On Wagner’s Ring
It always amazes me that there are people who love Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen without reservation, who find it essentially a perfect work of art. I love it… and hate it. I am blown away, every time I make … Continue reading
Where do we find the time for opera?
Opera News editor Brian Kellow approached me a few months ago with that question, which inspired a short riff in the April issue. Here’s a sample: What is the elevator pitch for Wagner’s Parsifal? Is there any opera today that could … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton, Music, Opera
