‘Moses Und Aron’ Takes Rocky Path At Komische Oper
By Rebecca Schmid
BERLIN - Much as Moses und Aron allowed Schönberg to grapple with Judaism's fate in the 1930s, it gave director Barrie Kosky a way to explore the conflict and tragedy of our age. But he doesn’t know when to leave a good thing alone.
Euryanthe at Oper Frankfurt: Brilliant Staging Redeems an Awkward Scenario
Euryanthe, Carl Maria von Weber’s final opera, premiered in 1823, is full of glorious music sabotaged by a barely coherent libretto. This grand romantic...
Yannick Displays Russian Sound Of Rotterdam In U.S.
By Rick Schultz
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - In his seventh year leading the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Yannick Nézet-Séguin says Russian music is still in its blood, a gift of his predecessor. After a start in the American west, the U.S. tour heads east.
‘Lucia di Hyannis Port’? Bel Canto Madness Updated
By Rebecca Schmid
MUNICH – The staging, set in 1950s America, drowned in clichés, but Diana Damrau in the title role fused music and drama into a consistent whole. Every outburst and coloratura line were endowed with convincing expression.
Beyond The Galop, Dancing Horses Sashay To Mozart
By Rebecca Schmid
SALZBURG – Conductor Mark Minkowski and horseman-impresario Bartabas staged Davide penitente and other late works as equestrian ballet. The sight was mesmerizing at times, but some movements lacked dramatic orientation.
‘Orfeo’ Takes Turn Toward The Bard At Royal Opera
By George Loomis
LONDON - For Monteverdi's 17th-century masterwork, the London opera company left its Covent Garden home for an old railroad turntable-cum-theater in the round, under the engrossing direction of Shakespearean Michael Boyd.
Bubbly New Year’s Concert Tradition Airs From Vienna
By Paul E. Robinson
Helping to ring in the new for worldwide audiences will be Zubin Mehta, whose bond with the Vienna Philharmonic dates back to his student days. This will be the conductor's fifth appearance at the orchestra's New Year’s Day celebration.
Brussels ‘Giovanni’ Obscures Mozart Amid Wild Erotica
By Susan Brodie
BRUSSELS - Krzysztof Warlikowski’s new X-rated production at La Monnaie explores the more lurid instincts unleashed by the Don's uncontrollable urges, but manages only to confuse and distract from the music.
Born Of Tumult, ‘Butterfly’ Glistens At Teatro Colón
By James L. Paulk
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Chaos surrounds the Teatro Colón these days, the result of the country’s economic crisis. But great artistry often rises from the disorder, as it did with director Hugo De Ana's ambitious Madama Butterfly.
In Vienna, Heady Mix of Messiaen, Boulez, Schubert
By Matthew Gurewitsch
VIENNA — Leading the opening programs of the Vienna Philharmonic’s season at the Musikverein, Ingo Metzmacher and Daniel Barenboim followed the same template, to strikingly dissimilar effect.
In Berlin, ‘Hélène’ Not So Belle And ‘Tosca’ Is Teutonic
By Rebecca Schmid
BERLIN - The Komische Oper and Staatsoper opened the season with new productions that fell flat. Barrie Kosky's La belle Hélène offered strangely little Offenbach, and 'Tosca,' led by Daniel Barenboim, veered toward Wagner.
Pianist Or Artistic Chief, Buchbinder Is Purist At Heart
By Rebecca Schmid
VIENNA – Rudolf Buchbinder, who will play Stateside with the Boston Symphony under Thierry Fisher Oct. 16-21, is not a man of compromises. For several years, he has made only live recordings and usually travels without scores.
Da Vinci’s Design For Gamba-Organ Voiced At Festival
By Rebecca Schmid
WROCŁAW - Leonardo da Vinci sketched a wheel-bowed keyboard instrument that he never built. At Poland's festival Wratislavia Cantans, Sławomir Zubrzycki performed on his realization of the viola organista, completed at last.
Updating Strauss: Daphne In Denim, Up A Wall St. Tree
By Susan Brodie
BRUSSELS - In Guy Joosten’s high-concept production, Daphne's a dreamy heroine, quite literally a tree hugger, protesting against the technology-obsessed world of her parents, dissolute one-percenters in evening dress.
Rossini Festival Revives ‘Aureliano’ In Vocal Splendor
By Rebecca Schmid
PESARO – In the seaside town where Gioachino Rossini was born, opera has persevered with an unrivaled standard of authenticity. All productions this year, including Aureliano in Palmira, were based on recent critical editions.
Schubert Rarity ‘Fierrabras’ Is Star Of Salzburg Fest
By Rebecca Schmid
SALZBURG -- In today's fierce competition, when one can view a world of arts on the computer screen, Salzburg must prove its offerings are not only a cut above but available nowhere else. A new 'Fierrabras' does that.
Keyed For Europe, Toronto Symphony Crowns A Festival
By Colin Eatock
TORONTO – Kicking off a European tour for the city back home, maestro Peter Oundjian and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performed a festival concert for Toronto Summer Music, now in its ninth season. Next stop, Vienna.
MCANA Reports: Strauss Leads The Way At 2014 Dresden Music Festival
DRESDEN - It was to this magical city on the Elbe that five members of the Music Critics Association of North America were drawn for the Dresden Music Festival June 7-10. Their reviews and impressions are gathered here.
Lean Force Lifts Beethoven ‘Missa’ At Dresden Fest
By Paul Hyde
DRESDEN – The late conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler believed the Missa Solemnis to be the composer's greatest work, and a thrilling performance at the Dresden Music Festival under Ivor Bolton supported that claim.
