Opera Warhorses

An appreciation and analysis of the ‘Standard Repertory’ of opera

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Entries from December 2010

50 Year Anniversaries: Schwarzkopf, Boehme in San Francisco “Rosenkavalier” – September 29, 1960

December 27th, 2010

The standard repertory of opera is disproportionately represented by the output of composers from four nations – Italy, Germany, France and Austria. In the 21st century the singers who perform those operas come from nations throughout the world, but, for much of the history of opera, up into well into the postwar era of the [...]

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Tags: 50 Year Anniversaries

50 Year Anniversaries: “Simon Boccanegra” with Tito Gobbi, Giorgio Tozzi – October 6, 1960

December 20th, 2010

The first Italian opera that I had experienced in live performance was Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” with a trio of legendary singers – baritone Leonard Warren (Boccanegra), soprano Renata Tebaldi (Maria Amelia)  and basso Boris Christoff (Fiesco Grimaldi). (For my 50 year retrospective, see: Simon Boccanegra – October 20, 1956.) When San Francisco Opera announced its 1960 [...]

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Tags: 50 Year Anniversaries

Intimate Opera’s “Amahl” Presented at Venerable Pasadena Playhouse’s Christmastide – December 16, 2010

December 17th, 2010

In past years, Tom’s Tips have featured such diverse holiday fare as the Bracebridge Dinner during Christmas Week at Yosemite National Park and “Phantom of the Opera” performances in Las Vegas. This year, he will highlight a production of Menotti’s Christmas opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, performed by the newly formed Intimate Opera Company [...]

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