Opera

Fare Thee Well, Maestro

Heuwell Tircuit - June 1, 2009

After 17 years as music director of the San Francisco Opera, Conductor Donald Runnicles was given a rousing farewell tribute Friday evening in the Opera House.

Review

Another Triumph From the Peninsula

Janos Gereben - May 25, 2009

There is something in Kenneithia Mitchell's voice that goes straight to the heart. Her debut this weekend in the title role of a sensational West Bay Opera Madama Butterfly impressed with a singularly mellow voice, effortless, brilliant phrasing.

Review

Rigoletto Meets the Mob

Jason Victor Serinus - April 20, 2009

Twenty minutes after the scheduled beginning of San Francisco Lyric Opera’s matinee performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, General Manager Bob Scher stepped before the Cowell Theater curtain to speak. Thank God, the delay was due, not to a last-minute indisposition, but to the late, “I’m sure she’ll be here any minute,” arrival of a violinist.

Review

Tepid Carmen

Georgia Rowe - April 20, 2009

Under the right circumstances, Carmen can turn up the heat like no other opera. Opera San José’s serviceable new production keeps it at a steady simmer, but never quite reaches the boiling point.

With opera companies across the country feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, it makes sense to produce bankable hits such as Bizet’s 1875 melodrama.

Preview

Carmen

Michael Zwiebach - April 7, 2009

Few classical works are as recession-proof as Opera San José's next production, Georges Bizet's Carmen.

Review

Can You Can-Can?

Janos Gereben - April 3, 2009

Yes, they can: The Conservatory kids can, though somewhat cautiously, and certainly staying away from the climactic splits, while still conveying the buoyant spirit of the dissolute French, avec plaisir.

Review

Eyes on the Prize

Georgia Rowe - March 30, 2009

Have you seen La favorita lately? If you live in the Bay Area, the answer is probably no. Even in the best of times, Donizetti's 1840 melodrama has never ranked among the composer's greatest hits, and these days, with opera companies forced to bank on box office certainties, new productions are woefully few and far between.

Preview

Bittersweet

Stephanie Friedman - March 30, 2009

The word “operetta” sounds like what it is: opera lite. The story may be tragic but the treatment will be light, if you can imagine that. You are not invited to dwell long in tragedy; neither are you permitted to escape from the sadness — not altogether.

Review

Another Happy Return

Jason Victor Serinus - March 25, 2009

The production may be unique, but it’s not just the computer animation, puppetry, and “authentic” musical approach that make this week's staging of a great Baroque opera so special.