Is there anyone out there in the world of opera who doesn’t adore Puccini’s super-popular “La Boheme”? Who doesn’t dab at tears at the end when Mimi dies in Rodolfo’s arms? This is opera verisma (opera in the Real World) at its absolute best! And how do you top Act II’s rollicking Cafe’ Momus Christmas Eve scene for sheer delight.
[Below: A Paris Christmas [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Tom's Reviews'
Piotr Beczala, Ellie Dehn, Priti Gandhi Stunning in San Diego “La Boheme” – February 5, 2010
February 6th, 2010
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Anthony Dean Griffey Wows San Diego In a Riveting “Peter Grimes” – April 24, 2009
May 12th, 2009
San Diego Opera had only presented Benjamin Britten’s ultimate masterpiece “Peter Grimes” in one previous season, 25 years ago. Its revival, again utilizing Carl Toms’ sets, returned for the 2009 Season, hugely enriched with American lyric tenor Anthony Dean Griffey. More than “starring” as Peter Grimes, Griffey dynamically personalized this gritty role, living it and [...]
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German Birds Fly High at Los Angeles Opera in Rarely Seen “The Birds” – April 23, 2009
April 26th, 2009
Los Angeles’ super-genius film-maker Alfred Hitchcock released flocks of aggressive birds in his renowned and justly famed film “The Birds” upon startled and unsuspecting film-goers decades ago, but now Los Angeles Opera has released very exotic birds of its own in their new production of German composer Walter Braunfels (1882-1954) opera “The Birds (Die Voegel)” [...]
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