Category Archives: Opera

Above: Marina Poplavskaya as Marguerite and Jonas Kaufmann as the title character in Gounod's "Faust." Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Gounod’s ‘Faust’ transforms Opera into Gripping Theatre at The Met

The Metropolitan Opera retained Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff to completely restage Gounod’s classic opera Faust. He resets the quintessential tale of a man’s bargain with the devil to the first half of the 20th Century. The traditional setting for

Above: Marina Poplavskaya as Marguerite and Jonas Kaufmann as the title character in Gounod's "Faust." Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Gounod’s ‘Faust’ transforms Opera into Gripping Theatre at The Met

The Metropolitan Opera retained Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff to completely restage Gounod’s classic opera Faust. He resets the quintessential tale of a man’s bargain with the devil to the first half of the 20th Century. The traditional setting for

Above is a scene in Handel's "Rodelinda" with Iestyn Davies as Unulfo, Joseph Kaiser as Grimoaldo, Shenyang as Garibaldo, Andreas Scholl as Bertarido, and Renée Fleming as the title character.  Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera.Taken at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City at the rehearsal on November 9, 2011

Renée Fleming delivers stunning portrayal as Handel’s Rodelinda at The Met

Renée Fleming returns to The Met: Live in HD in one of her greatest roles, the title character in Handel’s Rodelinda. In this Baroque showpiece, Fleming plays a queen who must fight treacherous enemies to keep her son safe and

Above is a scene in Handel's "Rodelinda" with Iestyn Davies as Unulfo, Joseph Kaiser as Grimoaldo, Shenyang as Garibaldo, Andreas Scholl as Bertarido, and Renée Fleming as the title character.  Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera.Taken at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City at the rehearsal on November 9, 2011

Renée Fleming delivers stunning portrayal as Handel’s Rodelinda at The Met

Renée Fleming returns to The Met: Live in HD in one of her greatest roles, the title character in Handel’s Rodelinda. In this Baroque showpiece, Fleming plays a queen who must fight treacherous enemies to keep her son safe and

A scene from Act II of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” with Alice Coote as Hansel and Christine Schäfer as Gretel. Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

Bringing Back The Magic Flute and Hansel and Gretel as The Met Celebrates the Holidays

The Met: Live in HD, is about to celebrate the holidays and we are all invited. The Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning series of live transmissions to theaters in the Berkshires and around the world, will present special encore screenings of Humperdinck’s

A scene from Act II of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” with Alice Coote as Hansel and Christine Schäfer as Gretel. Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

Bringing Back The Magic Flute and Hansel and Gretel as The Met Celebrates the Holidays

The Met: Live in HD, is about to celebrate the holidays and we are all invited. The Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning series of live transmissions to theaters in the Berkshires and around the world, will present special encore screenings of Humperdinck’s

Maya Beiser in a photo by Miroyuki Ito

Maya Beiser’s Cello Opera “Elsewhere” Includes Dance, Video at Mass MoCA Dec.10

“It was a typical warm and luminous Mediterranean winter day,” Maya Beiser recalls. “We were driving through the winding road alongside the Dead Sea, deep in the Judea dessert. Occasionally, the knowledgeable Bedouin guide traveling with us would point out

Maya Beiser in a photo by Miroyuki Ito

Maya Beiser’s Cello Opera “Elsewhere” Includes Dance, Video at Mass MoCA Dec.10

“It was a typical warm and luminous Mediterranean winter day,” Maya Beiser recalls. “We were driving through the winding road alongside the Dead Sea, deep in the Judea dessert. Occasionally, the knowledgeable Bedouin guide traveling with us would point out

Satyagraha and its connections with the current populist movements in America.

Occupy Wall Street, The One Percent, and the The Met’s “Satyagraha”

When they call it “grand” opera, it is not hype, it is fact. Producing a full scale opera is about the most expensive undertaking in the performing arts. And it brings the 1% who are often behind the funding for

Satyagraha and its connections with the current populist movements in America.

Occupy Wall Street, The One Percent, and the The Met’s “Satyagraha”

When they call it “grand” opera, it is not hype, it is fact. Producing a full scale opera is about the most expensive undertaking in the performing arts. And it brings the 1% who are often behind the funding for

Satyagraha will also go Live in HD to theatres around the world.

The Metropolitan Opera’s Visually Spectacular ‘Satyagraha’ on PBS

Philip Glass’s inspirational opera Satyagraha (Sanskrit for “truth force”) returned to the Metropolitan Opera stage on November 4, 2011 in the first revival of Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch’s innovative 2008 production. On November 19 of that year the stunning

Satyagraha will also go Live in HD to theatres around the world.

The Metropolitan Opera’s Visually Spectacular ‘Satyagraha’ on PBS

Philip Glass’s inspirational opera Satyagraha (Sanskrit for “truth force”) returned to the Metropolitan Opera stage on November 4, 2011 in the first revival of Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch’s innovative 2008 production. On November 19 of that year the stunning

The Sorcerer at VLO

‘The Sorcerer’ Brings the Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan to Life for a New Generation

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Valley Light Opera is their dedication and tenacity. Each year a constantly shifting group of community members come together in Amherst to celebrate a different era, this time choosing Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Sorcerer

The Sorcerer at VLO

‘The Sorcerer’ Brings the Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan to Life for a New Generation

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Valley Light Opera is their dedication and tenacity. Each year a constantly shifting group of community members come together in Amherst to celebrate a different era, this time choosing Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Sorcerer

(Above are Jay Hunter Morris as the title character and Deborah Voigt as Brünnehilde in the Met's new production of Wagner's "Siegfried." Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

Wagner’s “Siegfried” from the Met – Record 5.5 Hour Opera Telecast Encore

The Ring cycle continues to be repeated with transmissions on May 16 with Wagner’s Siegfried, the third of the four Ring Cycle Operas. Read More…

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(Above are Jay Hunter Morris as the title character and Deborah Voigt as Brünnehilde in the Met's new production of Wagner's "Siegfried." Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

Wagner’s “Siegfried” from the Met – Record 5.5 Hour Opera Telecast Encore

The Ring cycle continues to be repeated with transmissions on May 16 with Wagner’s Siegfried, the third of the four Ring Cycle Operas. Read More…

Featured / 3 Comments
Ryan Landry in the Rocky Horror Show

Ryan Landry’s Rocky Horror Show at American Repertory Theatre’s Oberon

Spooky. Funny. Naughty. Delicious. But deeply artistic. That’s the incredible Halloween lineup at Oberon. Diane Paulus at the American Repertory Theatre and her husband Randy Weiner have done it again. He dreamed up Oberon in the first place. Their late

Ryan Landry in the Rocky Horror Show

Ryan Landry’s Rocky Horror Show at American Repertory Theatre’s Oberon

Spooky. Funny. Naughty. Delicious. But deeply artistic. That’s the incredible Halloween lineup at Oberon. Diane Paulus at the American Repertory Theatre and her husband Randy Weiner have done it again. He dreamed up Oberon in the first place. Their late

Don Giovanni as the great seducer

Don Giovanni, The Great Seducer, Returns in New Met Production Live in HD Oct. 29

Not only is Don Giovanni the classic opera that offers such treats as lust, heartbreak, revenge and the fires of damnation, but its new production has met with general approval from the Metropolitan Opera’s hard to please fans. There is

Don Giovanni as the great seducer

Don Giovanni, The Great Seducer, Returns in New Met Production Live in HD Oct. 29

Not only is Don Giovanni the classic opera that offers such treats as lust, heartbreak, revenge and the fires of damnation, but its new production has met with general approval from the Metropolitan Opera’s hard to please fans. There is

Mahaiwe Programming 2011-12

Mahaiwe Announces Fall Through Spring Schedule 2011-12

Lyle Lovett Mavis Staples The Blind Boys of Alabama, Pee Wee Ellis and Maceo Parker Spyro Gyra Richard Thompson Paul Winter Consort China’s Jin Xing Dance Theatre Live in HD – London’s National Theatre Live in HD – The Metropolitan

Mahaiwe Programming 2011-12

Mahaiwe Announces Fall Through Spring Schedule 2011-12

Lyle Lovett Mavis Staples The Blind Boys of Alabama, Pee Wee Ellis and Maceo Parker Spyro Gyra Richard Thompson Paul Winter Consort China’s Jin Xing Dance Theatre Live in HD – London’s National Theatre Live in HD – The Metropolitan

John Kelly in FInd My Way Home

Countertenor John Kelly’s “Orpheus and Eurydice” is Grand Opera, Dance and Show Tunes

From our News Desk: On Saturday, October 15 at 8 an extraordinary performance of Find My Way Home will take place at Mass MoCA. If you are not familiar with countertenors, you are in for a surprise when you attend

John Kelly in FInd My Way Home

Countertenor John Kelly’s “Orpheus and Eurydice” is Grand Opera, Dance and Show Tunes

From our News Desk: On Saturday, October 15 at 8 an extraordinary performance of Find My Way Home will take place at Mass MoCA. If you are not familiar with countertenors, you are in for a surprise when you attend

Sam Amidon is coming to Mass MoCA

Mass MoCA’s Fall Calendar 2011 ranges from a Bluegrass Festival to a Cello Opera about Lot’s Wife

Fall 2011 Calendar Live Events (In photo above: Sam Amidon, appearing Nov. 19, 2011.)   Music Festival Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25 FreshGrass: A Festival of Bluegrass + Art (See our complete story on the Bluegrass Festival here.

Sam Amidon is coming to Mass MoCA

Mass MoCA’s Fall Calendar 2011 ranges from a Bluegrass Festival to a Cello Opera about Lot’s Wife

Fall 2011 Calendar Live Events (In photo above: Sam Amidon, appearing Nov. 19, 2011.)   Music Festival Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25 FreshGrass: A Festival of Bluegrass + Art (See our complete story on the Bluegrass Festival here.

James Levine

New Injury Sidelines James Levine: Metropolitan Opera Appearances Cancelled

From our News Desk: After a fall last week that damaged one of his vertebrae, James Levine underwent emergency surgery on Thursday in New York, forcing him to withdraw from his performances at the Metropolitan Opera this fall. Levine was

James Levine

New Injury Sidelines James Levine: Metropolitan Opera Appearances Cancelled

From our News Desk: After a fall last week that damaged one of his vertebrae, James Levine underwent emergency surgery on Thursday in New York, forcing him to withdraw from his performances at the Metropolitan Opera this fall. Levine was

One Man, Two Guvnors

“One Man Two Guvnors” among Live Opera, Concert and Theatre Events being beamed to Mahaiwe this Fall

The Mahaiwe continues to be an invaluable Berkshire treasure for presenting live performances of music, theatre and dance. At the same time it has also developed an equal reputation as the foremost house for Live in High Definition telecasts of

One Man, Two Guvnors

“One Man Two Guvnors” among Live Opera, Concert and Theatre Events being beamed to Mahaiwe this Fall

The Mahaiwe continues to be an invaluable Berkshire treasure for presenting live performances of music, theatre and dance. At the same time it has also developed an equal reputation as the foremost house for Live in High Definition telecasts of

They Might Be Giants

“Join us”, says They Might Be Giants – Alt. Rock Pioneers to take over Mahaiwe Stage September 9

An impressive calendar of events for September and October has been announced for the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. See the listings below. There is one event that particularly caught our fancy. And it is coming right up. On Friday, September

They Might Be Giants

“Join us”, says They Might Be Giants – Alt. Rock Pioneers to take over Mahaiwe Stage September 9

An impressive calendar of events for September and October has been announced for the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. See the listings below. There is one event that particularly caught our fancy. And it is coming right up. On Friday, September

Dido and Aeneas as Hubbard Hall Opera Theater

Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas to Hubbard Hall Opera (Cambridge, NY) Aug. 19-20

From our News Desk: The Select Conservatory of Hubbard Hall Opera Theater (HHOT) will present Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas Aug. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. on Hubbard Hall’s mainstage at 25 East Main Street in Cambridge. Performances will

Dido and Aeneas as Hubbard Hall Opera Theater

Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas to Hubbard Hall Opera (Cambridge, NY) Aug. 19-20

From our News Desk: The Select Conservatory of Hubbard Hall Opera Theater (HHOT) will present Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas Aug. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. on Hubbard Hall’s mainstage at 25 East Main Street in Cambridge. Performances will

Don Pasquale at Hubbard Hall

Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” Aug 12-18 at nearby Hubbard Hall Opera Theater

Slowly the word has spread through the Berkshires, there is still great opera in the area, in a very old performing venue called Hubbard Hall, and they perform their classics with love, energy and fidelity. Editor’s Note: I was able

Don Pasquale at Hubbard Hall

Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” Aug 12-18 at nearby Hubbard Hall Opera Theater

Slowly the word has spread through the Berkshires, there is still great opera in the area, in a very old performing venue called Hubbard Hall, and they perform their classics with love, energy and fidelity. Editor’s Note: I was able

Berkshire Stages 2011

The 2011 Berkshire Summer Schedules

Summer has arrived, and this culture hound’s nose has been busy sniffing out the best of the coming summer’s attractions. If you see something that intrigues, don’t hesitate since many Berkshire shows sell out. The early subscriber and ticket buyer

Berkshire Stages 2011

The 2011 Berkshire Summer Schedules

Summer has arrived, and this culture hound’s nose has been busy sniffing out the best of the coming summer’s attractions. If you see something that intrigues, don’t hesitate since many Berkshire shows sell out. The early subscriber and ticket buyer

Macbeth at the Little Cinema, Pittsfield

Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema to offer Swan Lake, Giselle Ballets, Verdi’s Opera Macbeth, more

From our News Desk: The Little Cinema at the Berkshire Museum has committed to a summer long schedule of opera and ballet performances. In May they presented their first world class high definition digital telecasts with great success. As a

Macbeth at the Little Cinema, Pittsfield

Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema to offer Swan Lake, Giselle Ballets, Verdi’s Opera Macbeth, more

From our News Desk: The Little Cinema at the Berkshire Museum has committed to a summer long schedule of opera and ballet performances. In May they presented their first world class high definition digital telecasts with great success. As a

Xerxes in Northampton, MA

Handel’s Opera “Xerxes” to get full production June 25 by Arcadia Players in Northampton

As wonderful as the Met high definition telecasts have been, seeing opera on the big screen simply is not the same experience as hearing it live. Offering real singers and players, all three dimensions of the staging, with no electronic

Xerxes in Northampton, MA

Handel’s Opera “Xerxes” to get full production June 25 by Arcadia Players in Northampton

As wonderful as the Met high definition telecasts have been, seeing opera on the big screen simply is not the same experience as hearing it live. Offering real singers and players, all three dimensions of the staging, with no electronic

BOSMedium

Menotti’s “The Medium” to Travel from Cambridge to Saratoga, NY via Hubbard Hall

From our News Desk — Hubbard Hall Opera Theater (HHOT) will present the popular opera The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti in Cambridge, New York on June 11 and in Saratoga, New York on June 12. It seems that the

BOSMedium

Menotti’s “The Medium” to Travel from Cambridge to Saratoga, NY via Hubbard Hall

From our News Desk — Hubbard Hall Opera Theater (HHOT) will present the popular opera The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti in Cambridge, New York on June 11 and in Saratoga, New York on June 12. It seems that the