James Conlon, Los Angeles Opera’s esteemed Music Director, makes his first appearance of the season this coming Saturday with a revival of Verdi’s Falstaff. Italian baritone Roberto Frontali plays the portly Sir John, joined by many others in this new/revamped production. The final dress rehearsal is tonight, and as has become the norm, I’ll be … Continue reading
As I mentioned in my previous post, Los Angeles Opera’s 2013-2014 season opens this coming Saturday with a revival of Bizet’s Carmen. Irish mezzo-soprano Patricia Bardon sings the title role, joined by the excellent male duo of Brandon Jovanovich (Don Jose) and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (Escamillo), with newcomer Pretty Yende as Micaëla. The final dress rehearsal … Continue reading
Los Angeles Opera’s final production of the year, Puccini’s Tosca, opens this Saturday. Sondra Radvanovsky sings the title role, joined by Marco Berti as Cavaradossi and Lado Ataneli as uber-villain, Scarpia. Plácido Domingo, LA Opera’s own resident impressario-cum-tenor-cum-baritone-cum-conductor, wields the baton for all performances but one. The final dress rehearsal will be tonight, and once again, I’ll … Continue reading
Once again, the nice folks at Los Angeles Opera have invited me and the rest of the distinguished usual suspects to share our insightful observations, witty opinions, and occasional double entendres at the final dress rehearsal of one of their productions — 140 characters at a time. Tonight’s fun: The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner. … Continue reading
Opening night for Los Angeles Opera’s latest production of Don Giovanni isn’t until this coming Saturday, Sept 22nd, but I’ll be back at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion tonight, live tweeting the final dress rehearsal. Unlike last Saturday’s gala opening of I Due Foscari (The Two Foscari), this time I’ll be in the front of the … Continue reading
Here are some pictures from me and others from last night’s season opening performance of Verdi’s I Due Foscari (The Two Foscari) at Los Angeles Opera starring Plácido Domingo. Continue reading
Tonight marks the opening of Los Angeles Opera’s 2012/2013 season with a new production of Verdi’s rarely performed I Due Foscari (The Two Foscari). Plácido Domingo takes on the role of Francesco Foscari, his latest foray into the baritone repertoire and 140th role overall (give or take) in his illustrious career. I’ll be there tonight, … Continue reading
All is Yar 