Reviews

Soula Parassidis shines in Iphigénie en Tauride

Soula Parassidis shines in Iphigénie en Tauride

Parassidis gave what is perhaps one of the most electrifying performances I have ever seen at the opera house, and considering the amount of opera I have seen that is no small feat.

Arturo Fernandez
Baritone Stéphane Degout triumphs in the Park Avenue Armory's Board Of Officers Room

Baritone Stéphane Degout triumphs in the Park Avenue Armory's Board Of Officers Room

Puccini considered Suor Angelica his favorite work; it was also his most personal, inspired by his sister who was an actual nun. The music is all pleasingly lyrical but it's all a slow set-up for the eventual entrance of La Zia Principessa (as mentioned, portrayed here by the highly talented Ms. Lewis.)

John Hohmann
Gianni Schicchi & Suor Angelica: professional Puccini at Juilliard

Gianni Schicchi & Suor Angelica: professional Puccini at Juilliard

Puccini considered Suor Angelica his favorite work; it was also his most personal, inspired by his sister who was an actual nun. The music is all pleasingly lyrical but it's all a slow set-up for the eventual entrance of La Zia Principessa (as mentioned, portrayed here by the highly talented Ms. Lewis.)

Loren Lester
Heartbeat Opera: Dial Lady M for Murder

Heartbeat Opera: Dial Lady M for Murder

Even if you are producing the original Verdi version of Macbeth, you better have a great 'Lady M.' Here with the story focusing on that character, the singer must be equally unimpeachable. Enter Ms. Algozzini, a diminutive Italian soprano who blasts us backwards with her extraordinary vocal cannon.

Loren Lester
NYOANext!: The sound of (opera) music in the Bronx

NYOANext!: The sound of (opera) music in the Bronx

Seven opera companies from NYOA's fifty company membership, performed arias and duets from familiar operas and from some upcoming productions which are part of the NYOANext! Festival.

Loren Lester
Tosca at Heartbeat Opera: art to the point of distraction

Tosca at Heartbeat Opera: art to the point of distraction

Shadi G can only get to her concept by imposing an element which proves to be downright distracting. She has added to the cast two non-singing members of "the secret police" who are ominously watching the proceedings and who even try, on several occasions, to arrest members of the cast.

Loren Lester
Brilliant: a compassionate Bluebeard and a comforting Castle

Brilliant: a compassionate Bluebeard and a comforting Castle

Finley's Bluebeard is caring, soft-spoken, and deliberately gentle. The scene opens in silence with him preparing to bring Judith home. He's so excited to see her, he kisses her photo and practically skips out the door.

Greg Finney
Of The Sea: a beautiful, overdue story that lingers

Of The Sea: a beautiful, overdue story that lingers

There are some shows that never leave you whether performing in them or experiencing them. Of The Sea is one of those. Not just musically and visually. This piece made an impact.

Greg Finney
Bluebeard’s music shines, with Alma’s highlights

Bluebeard’s music shines, with Alma’s highlights

The last of the four songs is actually quite dark in a way that fits the quizzically gothic ending of Bluebeard's Castle pretty perfectly, so it ended up forming an arc that actually did somehow add to one of opera's most perfect endings.

Arturo Fernandez
A Triumph for Tosca at the Adrienne Arsht Center

A Triumph for Tosca at the Adrienne Arsht Center

Toni Marie Palmertree, who portrayed Floria Tosca, delivered a truly remarkable performance. Her voice was powerful, clear, and expressive, capturing the complex emotions of the character with ease. Palmertree's acting was equally impressive, embodying Tosca's fiery temperament and vulnerabilities masterfully.

Samuel Loetscher

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