Category: opera

LA Opera’s “The Tales of Hoffmann” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Jane Rosenberg As a reader of fairytales, with a particular devotion E.T.A. Hoffmann’s stories, Offenbach’s opera has always exerted a strong pull on my imagination. I approach every production with anticipation – much like a child eagerly awaiting a performance of The Nutcracker, another magical Hoffmann creation. Opening night of LA Opera’s The Tales… Read More LA Opera’s “The Tales of Hoffmann” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

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Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson’s “Lost in the Stars” at Royce Hall

By Jane Rosenberg When a politically powerful work of art performed by world-class artists takes the stage before an audience hungering for substance and truth, the results are electric. Without doubt, UCLA’s Royce Hall was an important place to be on Sunday evening. Those in attendance were treated to an emotional rollercoaster of profound implications.… Read More Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson’s “Lost in the Stars” at Royce Hall

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LA Opera Presents Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Jane Rosenberg For sheer entertainment value, LA Opera’s new co-production of The Abduction from the Seraglio, has it all: marvelous singing, sublime music from the pit, laugh out loud humor, and equal measures of sexiness, beauty, and opulence. What it lacks is sensitivity to the more ennobling aspects of Mozart’s vision. Director, James Robinson,… Read More LA Opera Presents Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

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LA Opera Presents Leonard Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Jane Rosenberg With the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth approaching in 2018, LA Opera began the celebration with a semi-staged concert performance of Wonderful Town. For the occasion, the orchestra was seated on the stage, flanked by LA Opera Chorus members, with the soloists lining up front and center. What began as a… Read More LA Opera Presents Leonard Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

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Opera: Philip Glass’s “Akhnaten” at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Jane Rosenberg With enough Juggling stunts to rival Cirque du Soleil, Philip Glass’s opera, Akhnaten, tumbled into town from London in a new staging co-produced by English National Opera and LA Opera. It was a night to remember, both for its failings and for its strengths. When Glass’s meditation on the life of Akhnaten… Read More Opera: Philip Glass’s “Akhnaten” at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

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LA Opera Presents Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Jane Rosenberg Verdi’s Macbeth, interpreted by a consummate conductor and orchestra with magnificent singing from the chorus and principals, made for a powerful night of opera and a brilliant opener to LA Opera’s 2016-17 season. With a narrative rife with the evil machinations of that tortured pair of king-slayers, Lord and Lady Macbeth, Verdi… Read More LA Opera Presents Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

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Los Angeles Opera’s La Bohème at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Jane Rosenberg With its poignant narrative of struggling Bohemians in 19th century Paris and a score of lyric beauty rife with atmosphere and soaring melodies, La Bohème can melt even the hardest hearts and entertain the most demanding audiences. Certainly the LA Opera thinks so and has mounted the Herbert Ross production for the… Read More Los Angeles Opera’s La Bohème at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

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LA Opera’s Madame Butterfly at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Jane Rosenberg In LA Opera’s riveting Madame Butterfly, which penetratingly explored the effects of imperialism in early twentieth century Japan, we have a Butterfly that transcended the domestic and became epic in scope. Ana Maria Martinez as Cio-Cio-San from Madame Butterfly. Photo by Ken Howard for LA Opera Everything in this new production, created… Read More LA Opera’s Madame Butterfly at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

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