May 9, 2008
Recent reviews
Church program pulls out all the stops
When Williamsburg Presbyterian Church began thinking about a culminating musical program for its year-long celebration of the new sanctuary, it pulled out all the stops, not only on the organ but also in bringing to town Grammy Award-winning Robert Page, assuredly one of the most esteemed choral conductors in this country and beyond.
Rossini opera a delight to eyes and ears
The Washington National Opera presents the Rossini "L'Italiana in Algeri," conducted by Riccardo Frizza and directed by David Kneuss, with production set and costume design by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, in the Kennedy Center Opera House, May 14.
'Tito' rises from obscure to exceptional
The Washington National Opera presents the Mozart "La Clemenza di Tito," conducted by Heinz Fricke, directed by Michael Hampe, set design by Hampe and German Droghetti, in the Kennedy Center Opera House, May 14.
Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble: "Make music, not war"
The Virginia Arts Festival presents Yo-Yo Ma and the "Silk Road Ensemble," in concert at Chrysler Hall, Feb. 25.
A fine mixture of music and instrument
The Williamsburg Choral Guild, under the direction of Jay BeVille, presents the Gabriel Faure "Requiem, Opus 48," the Maurice Durufle "Requiem Opus 9," and the Durufle "Prelude and Fugue on the Name Alain," with organist Tom Marshall, violinist Susan Via, soprano Georgeann Paddock, mezzo-soprano Lisa Relaford Coston, and baritone Christopher Mooney, in St. Bede Catholic Church, Nov. 14.
Past errors repeated in 'Tosca'
The Washington National Opera presents "Tosca," by Giacomo Puccini, conducted by Leonard Slatkin, directed by Frank Corsaro, in the Kennedy Center Opera House, May 13. Additional performances May 25, 28, 31.
Criticism of 'Samson' is too strong
The Washington National Opera presents Camille Saint-Saens' "Samson and Dalila," conducted by Placido Domingo, directed by Peter McClintock, set and costume design by Michael Scott, lighting design by Joan Sullivan-Genthe, choreography by Vladimir Angelov, in the Kennedy Center Opera House, May 14. Additional performances May 29 and June 1, 4.
A sense of intimacy from Eroica Trio
The Eroica Trio is, without question, one of the top draws on the international chamber music circuit and one of the absolute top female trios to be found anywhere. In fact, the program notes for this Arts Festival performance indicated that the Eroica is the "most sought-after trio in the world."
Soundings: 'Maid of Orleans' powerful, memorable
Evidence of the power of a strong director's hand and an innovative concept was readily found in the Washington National Opera's production of the rarely seen or heard "Maid of Orleans." Probably one of the main reasons for its lack of awareness is due the fact that it's essentially a static work. While dealing with Joan of Arc, it is a piece that pulses emotionally but not necessarily physically.
Soundings: 'Flute' a visual paradise
Mozart's "The Magic Flute" is one of the best known and most accessible of operas in the literature, offering delightful melodies and immense possibilities for staging. Its fantasy-filled storyline, complete with flying genii and man-eating monster, wrapped around the themes of overcoming challenges in pursuit of enlightenment and pure love overcoming, is ripe for myriad approaches or interpretations.
Soundings: Virginia Opera succeeds with 'Tristan and Isolde'
Social critic and writer Christopher Lasch once said, "nothing succeeds like the appearance of success." This certainly applies to the Virginia Opera's Virginia premiere of Wagner's monumental "Tristan and Isolde."
Soundings: No reservations about 'Merry Widow'
For those who plan on attending the Virginia Opera's production of "Merry Widow," leave at the door your preconceived ideas and biases concerning this operetta and how well or otherwise it adheres to Viennese style, because to enter with reservation is to deny yourself the pleasure that abounds in this production from the moment the curtain rises.
Soundings: Holocaust cantata fostered introspection
In an appropriate tribute to Veterans' Day, the Williamsburg Choral Guild offered "In Memoriam," which featured "Holocaust Cantata-Songs from the Camps" and two sections from "Ein Deutsches Requiem," both works that fostered introspection, awareness, and tribute to all who have been and are involved in wartime conflict.
Soundings: B-Team effort on 'Il Trovatore'
The Washington National Opera continues its 49th season with one of the best-known operas in the literature--"Il Trovatore." Filled with memorable arias and melodies of the sort that appear in "opera's most favorite moments" CDs, "Trovatore" offers an abundance of musical pleasures.
Soundings: Opera takes contemporization to heart
Without question, art, in its broadest definition, should challenge us. At its educational best endeavor, it should keep us learning and growing. It's not that traditional forms, styles, and sounds are undesirable. Far from it.
Soundings: All is not lost in 'Billy Budd'
If proof of the power of a fine director's hand exists, it was in the Washington National Opera's production of "Billy Budd."
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