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Vancouver Opera sails away in The Flying Dutchman

Vancouver Opera sails away in The Flying Dutchman

Dahl's portrayal is filled to the brim with tension and menace. He never truly believes that he will be free from his curse, and his torment is relentless, which helps carry the tension of the entire show. Vocally, Dahl for formidable and dark, bringing a vocal power that lent authority to his character's plight.

Melissa Ratcliff
North Shore's genderbent panto Iolanthe

North Shore's genderbent panto Iolanthe

This production, under the direction of up-and-coming stage director Robin Hahn, is a refreshing departure from the 'prim British Aristocrats meet dainty fairies' that you would expect. Instead, this production has drag fairy queens, gender-bent High Chancellors and Lords, queer romance, and fairy selfies.

Melissa Ratcliff
Bright, frothy fun in BOC L'elisir d'amore

Bright, frothy fun in BOC L'elisir d'amore

Unmemorable tunes, a certain lack of dramatic forethought, and far too prolific for his own good, I can really only enjoy Donizetti in small bursts.

Arturo Fernandez
Quinn Kelsey's Macbeth: a haunted, manipulated husk of a man

Quinn Kelsey's Macbeth: a haunted, manipulated husk of a man

To say the singing was excellent is an understatement. The line was solid through the whole range and completely unfazed by whatever physicality Kelsey took on. He managed the dramatic journey with great finesse as well. Macbeth, although a noble, and later a King - he's somewhat content to be in his position.

Greg Finney
Roland Wood delivers terribly good Scarpia in COC's Tosca

Roland Wood delivers terribly good Scarpia in COC's Tosca

Your skin crawled when he spoke to Tosca. You wanted to cheer when his carcass hit the floor in his office. Yet, besides all of this, it has to be well-sung. Wood's handling of the Baron's music was excellent. His tone evenly matched throughout his range, and a fantastic use of his dynamic colour palette to really dig into the darkness of Scarpia.

Greg Finney
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

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