Seeing a Ring Cycle is a big deal. Although it is perfectly possible to enjoy all four parts of Wagner’s masterpiece about the downfall of the Norse gods individually, seeing the complete story within a very short span of time is what he wanted the audience to experience. It pays…
Seeing the Ring Cycle is an important experience in a lifetime of cultural appreciation. I saw it first in 1975, at the time not knowing much of anything about Richard Wagner, its composer, except that opera lovers tended to fall into two categories: those who loved Wagner, and those who…
You might think that watching the Metropolitan Opera’s season of live in HD simulcasts, plus their second showings of same, plus their summer encores (going on now) of the most well-known operas would be enough opera for me. But you would be wrong. For a true opera fan, some opera…
I am floored by the difference between a well-conceived and brilliantly acted production of Carmen and one that isn’t. I thought that Bizet’s music and the tragic Carmen story had transcended La Scala’s miserable production that debuted last month. I didn’t like the production, but I enjoyed parts of it…
