The opera adaptation of Little
Women by Mark Adamo (libretto and music) was greeted with near-universal
praise at its premiere in 1998. It’s a tremendous first opera; musically
assured, melodic, and dramatically taut. Scored for chamber opera forces, and
featuring four women principals, it is also perfect for schools and
conservatories, which is part of the reason it has racked up an impressive
number of productions in 15 years. It’s almost essential to see this production
at the S.F. Conservatory of Music for anyone planning on seeing the
composer/librettist’s latest opus, The
Gospel of Mary Magdalene, at the S.F. Opera in June.