Opera News articles from January 2001

Opera News archives from January 2001

DOKTOR IN THE HOUSE.
January 1, 2001... Thomas Hampson, who this month graces the cover of OPERA NEWS, seems a perfect match for the works of Ferruccio Busoni. Read the profile of this cosmopolitan American by Martin Bernheimer, and you discover a talented singer of great...

CORRECTION.(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2001... In my (October) review of the Allegro recording of Die Frau ohne Schatten, as performed in Salzburg in 1974, I committed two cardinal critical errors. First, I relied on my memory (increasingly rusty), then on my ears (dangerously reinforced by...

OPERA WATCH.
January 1, 2001... 1. An evening with RENEE FLEMING opened the new season of the 20/21 Club at Columbia University's Miller Theater on October 11. The soprano discussed her new CD, Renee Fleming, with Miller Theater executive director George Steel and series...

ON THE BEAT.
January 1, 2001... The devil takes the high notes in the Met's Doktor Faust; Domingo puts his stamp on Los Angeles Opera; in San Francisco, music for women behind bars You can bet that just about every time the Met stages an opera with a Devil character,...

Hurricane Gina.(opera singer Genevieve Cigna)
January 1, 2001... The formidable Gina Cigna Italy's preeminent 1930s Gioconda, Norma and Turandot, is approaching her one-hundred-first birthday this winter at home in Milan, scene of her greatest triumphs. Operaphiles of sense and sensibility acknowledge a...

LETTER FROM BERLIN.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Berlin's performing-arts institutions, among the finest in the world, turned into a discordant choir of protest, rumor, insult and attack this past autumn, as Germany's capital tried to fit cultural ways to fiscal means. Proposals and...

La Leyenda Negra.(Spanish landscape in Verdi's Il Trovatore)
January 1, 2001... JOHN YOHALEM on Verdi's fascination with Spanish landscapes Today Spain calls up images of bullfights, castanets and a certain self-indulgence in matters of the heart. The audience for whom Verdi created Il Trovatore in 1853 associated...

FACE TO FACE: Fedora Barbieri and Dolora Zajick.(Interview)
January 1, 2001... In 1950, the Metropolitan Opera's Azucena of choice was Fedora Barbieri. This season's new Met production of II Trovatore features the gypsy of Dolora Zajick. The two great dramatic mezzos met in Barbieri's apartment in Florence for a...

DOKTOR FAUST'S LAB PARTNERS.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... JOHN W. FREEMAN introduces the team behind the Met's first-ever production of Busoni's opera The idea that knowledge leads man into sin and error is as old as Adam and Eve. When Ferruccio Busoni finished the text for his last opera, Doktor...

THE THINKING MAN'S THINKING MAN.(opera singer Thomas Hampson)
January 1, 2001... Thomas Hampson, who returns to the Met this month in Busoni's Doktor Faust, is an obsessive perfectionist with a restless intellect. He'll understand if you want to ask somebody else out for a beer. The wags used to call the Metropolitan...

The Faustian World of Ferruccio Busoni.
January 1, 2001... Ferruccio Busoni had it all. The dashingly handsome Italian was one of the great pianists of his age; he enjoyed international renown as a conductor, teacher and editor; his visionary essays on music were published widely and debated fiercely;...

VIVA VIVICA!(opera singer Vivica Genaux)
January 1, 2001... Who needs Carmen? Dynamic mezzo Vivica Genaux has made her mark in Hasse, Handel and obscure Donizetti. This month, she takes on Romeo in Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi, at Minnesota Opera. Although still not a household name,...

METROPOLITAN OPERA BROADCASTS.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... "I didn't bring Fidelio up to date," says director Jurgen Flimm. "The piece is up-to-date. The problem is these Pizarros, they are still living, they are still working everywhere in the world. We have to complain, take a stand, that these guys...

FIDELIO.(Review)
January 1, 2001... FIDELIO THE CAST (in order of vocal appearance) Jaquino tenor, MATTHEW POLENZANI Marzelline soprano, HEI-KYUNG HONG Rocco bass, RENE PAPE Leonore soprano, KARITA MATTILA Don Pizarro ...

IL TROVATORE.
January 1, 2001... BROADCAST OF JANUARY 13, 2001 SPONSORED BY TEXACO OVER THE TEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 1:30 P.M. IL TROVATORE THE CAST (in order of vocal appearance) Ferrando bass, DIMITRI KAVRAKOS Inez ...

DOKTOR FAUST.(Review)
January 1, 2001... BROADCAST OF JANUARY 20, 2001 SPONSORED BY TEXACO OVER THE TEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 1:00 P.M. DOKTOR FAUST THE CAST (in order of vocal appearance) Wagner/Rector Magnificus ...

AIDA.(Review)
January 1, 2001... BROADCAST OF JANUARY 27, 2001 SPONSORED BY TEXACO OVER THE TEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 1:00 P.M. AIDA THE CAST (in order of vocal appearance) Ramfis bass, GENNADY BEZZUBENKOV Radames tenor, LUCIANO...

J. STRAUSS II: Simplicius.(Review)
January 1, 2001... J. STRAUSS II Simplicius [] Magnuson, Jankova, Martini, Nikiteanu; Zysset, Haunstein, Volle, Beczala, Widmer; Chorus, Orchestra of the Zurich Opera, Welser-Most. Texts. EMI Classics 5 57009 2 How to write a heavy Viennese operetta?...

MASSENET: Manon.(Review)
January 1, 2001... MASSENET: Manon [] Gheorghiu, Panzarella, Koch, Schimmack; Alagna, Ragon, Patriarco, van Dam, Rivenq; Orchestre Symphonique et Choeurs de la Monnaie, Pappano. Texts and translations. EMI 7243 5 57005 2 Unlike Massenet's near-ubiquitous...

WAGNER: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg.(Review)
January 1, 2001... WAGNER: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg [] Magee, Svenden; Seiffert, Wottrich, Holl, Schmidt, Holle; Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and Chorus, Barenboim. Texts. Teldec 3984-29333-2 (4) In some Wagner -- particularly the more visionary,...

PUCCINI: La Boheme.(Review)
January 1, 2001... PUCCINI: La Boheme [] Frittoli, Mei; Bocelli, Gavanelli, de Carolis, Luperi, Gatti; Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Mehta. Text and translations. Decca 289 464 060-2 The reason for the release of yet another La Boheme is to showcase Andrea...

LEON CAVALLO: Pagliacci.(Review)
January 1, 2001... LEONCAVALLO: Pagliacci [] Frittoli; Cura, Castronovo, C. Alvarez, Keenlyside; Netherlands Radio Choir, Het National Kinderhook and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Chailly. Text and translation. Decca 289 467 086-2 Yet another Pagliacci...

DONIZETTI: La Favorite.(Review)
January 1, 2001... DONIZETTI: La Favorite [] Kasarova, Furmansky; Vargas, Michaels-Moore, Colombara, Piccoli, Fehenberger; Munchner Rundfunkorchester, Viotti. Text and translations. RCA 74321-66229-2 La Favorite, Donizetti's biggest success at the Opera de...

HANDEL: Theodora.(Review)
January 1, 2001... HANDEL: Theodora [] Gritton, Bickley; Blaze, Agnew, David, Smith; Gabrieli Consort & Players; McCreesh. Text and translations. Archiv 469 061-2 (3) Handel considered the Act II chorus in his penultimate oratorio, Theodora -- "He saw the...

SMETANA: Dalibor.(Review)
January 1, 2001... SMETANA: Dalibor [] Urbanova, Schellenberger; Popov, Prolat, Alexejev, Basyrov; Chorus and Orchestra of the Lyric Theater of Cagliari, David. Dynamic CDS 295/1-2 (Qualiton, dist.) If only more of our opera stars felt comfortable...

PORTUGAL: Le Donne Cambiate.(Review)
January 1, 2001... PORTUGAL: Le Donne Cambiate [] Russo, Ferraz; Vaz de Carvalho, Rodrigues, Lobo Da Silva, de Villalonga; City of London Sinfonia, Cassuto. Text and translation. Marco Polo 8.225154 Marcos Portugal (1762-1830) is a name unfamiliar to all but...

"VERDI".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Andrea Bocelli [] "VERDI" Arias from Il Trovatore, Rigoletto, Un Ballo in Maschera, Aida, La Traviata, I Lombardi, Ernani, Don Carlo, Luisa Miller and La Forza del Destino. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Mehta. Text and translations. Philips...

"WE'LL KEEP A WELCOME: THE WELSH ALBUM".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Bryn Terfel [] "WE'LL KEEP A WELCOME: THE WELSH ALBUM" Welsh songs, hymns and folk music. The Black Mountain Chorus, Risca Male Choir, The Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Gareth Jones. Texts and translations. DG 289 463 593-2 Not all...

"RENEE FLEMING".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Renee Fleming [] "RENEE FLEMING" Arias by Puccini, Leoncavallo, Cilea, Catalani, Massenet, Bizet, Gounod, Verdi and Bellini. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mackerras. Texts and translations. Decca 289 467 049 2 Not all stars (or star...

"VERDI ARIAS".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Jose Cura [] "VERDI ARIAS" Philharmonia Orchestra, Cura. Texts and translations. Erato 8573-80232-2 Not all stars (or star vehicles) are created equal. Bryn Terfel's newest recital disc, which celebrates his Welsh homeland, is a triumphant...

"MEXICO LINDO".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Ramon Vargas [] "MEXICO LINDO" Songs by Jimenez, Grever, Lara et al. La Camerata de las Americas, Barrios; Mariachi de la Casa de la Musica Mexicana, Garcia Blanco; Trio los Morales. Texts and translations BMG 74321-75478-2 This collection...

"PIERCING EYES".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Victoria Livengood [] "PIERCING EYES" Fourteen English canzonettas by Haydn. W. Lewis, piano. Texts. Troy Albany 406 The English canzonettas of Haydn, like so much of his vast musical output, deserve greater prominence. Haydn's pleasing and...

"ERLKONIG: THE ART OF THE LIED".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Jessye Norman, Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau [] "ERLKONIG: THE ART OF THE LIED" Songs by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms. With Moore, Demus, Giesen, Gage, Eschenbach, Barenboim, piano. Texts and translations. Exhaustive...

"THE COLLECTED RECORDINGS".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Dame Eva Turner [] "THE COLLECTED RECORDINGS" Arias and scenes by Verdi, Ponchielli, Puccini, Mascagni, Wagner; songs by D'Hardelot, Bantock, Grieg, Del Riego, Bull, Vaughan Williams. Various artists, orchestras, conductors. Notes, no texts or...

"THE ART OF THEODOR UPPMAN".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Theodor Uppman "THE ART OF THEODOR UPPMAN" Arias and songs by Verdi, Massenet, Bizet, Strauss, Foster, Mill, Vaughan Williams, Hahn and others; Bell Telephone Hour Orchestra, Vorhees. VAI Audio VAIA 1181 This CD, drawn from Bell Telephone...

"JUSSI BJOERLING RARITIES".(Review)
January 1, 2001... Jussi Bjoerling "JUSSI BJOERLING RARITIES" Arias, songs and scenes by Puccini, Meyerbeer, Verdi, Gounod, Massenet, Bizet, R. Strauss, Rossini, Leoncavallo, Alfven and others. With A. Bjoerling, Moore, Steber; D. Dickson. Various orchestras,...

Best of the Year.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... COMPLETE OPERAS: Top ten of the titles we heard in 2000 were Beethoven's Fidelio, paced by Michael Halasz, a terrific at any price (Naxos); Busoni's Doktor Faust, conducted with verve by Kent Nagano(Erato); Nagano's fearless traversal of the...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: SAN FRANCISCO.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally's Dead Man Walking (seen October 13) represents a significant success for San Francisco Opera, which, over the past six years, has spent considerable time, care and resources on high-profile world premieres....

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: NEW YORK CITY.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Fidelio returned to the Met stage on October 11, newly designed by Robert Israel and staged by Jurgen Flimm (house debut), the director of last summer's new Bayreuth Ring cycle. Updating has become a cliche, but Flimm ran that risk to bring the...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: LONDON.(Review)
January 1, 2001... English National Opera is planning a major refurbishment of its home, to be completed for the London Coliseum's centenary in 2004, when the attractive mock-Roman auditorium and comfortable though shabby foyers will be returned to their former...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: PARIS.(Review)
January 1, 2001... The season at the Opera National began in solid style with a revival of Robert Carsen's 1995 production of Nabucco. The stylized chorus movement, plus the stand-and-sing approach of the production, makes this ideal revival material. The ancient...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: HELSINKI.(Review)
January 1, 2001... It's easy to approach Aulis Sallinen's new opera, King Lear, with inflated expectations. Not only Verdi, but Debussy, Puccini and Britten entertained the idea of an opera on the subject. We're inclined to look for something superhuman where...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: ZURICH.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Approaching his sixties, Robert Wilson has set out to climb the Himalayas of opera, Richard Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen, thus topping even the twelve-hour endurance test of his The CIVIL WarS. Reaching his first station at the Zurich opera...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: MADRID.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Madrid's Teatro Real has unveiled a Baroque miracle that time forgot: Celos Aun del Aire Matan (Jealousy, even from the breeze, is deadly). Written in 1660 by Spain's greatest dramatist, Pedro Calderon de la Barca, and composer Juan Hidalgo,...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: PITTSBURGH.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Anna Bolena marks the dawn of a new era for Pittsburgh Opera. The company turned to Gaetano Donizetti's tragic opera about the second wife of King Henry VIII, the composer's first triumph, to open its sixty-second season and to emphasize its...

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: MILWAUKEE.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Floyd Collins is a startlingly powerful work, based on a true story and masterfully shaped into an engrossing musical by composer-librettist Adam Guettel. Under the superb stage direction of Paul Barnes, Skylight Opera Theatre has made it a...

ORBITUARIES.(Obituary)
January 1, 2001... WALTER BERRY, Vienna, April 8, 1929 -- October 27, 2000 The war was over, and the Vienna State Opera was flourishing. Those, not incidentally, were the glory days of Welitsch and Cebotari, Schwarzkopf, Jurinac and Della Casa, Gueden and...

Corelli, di Stefano, Vickers: Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1962-64.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Corelli, di Stefano, Vickers: Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour [] Arias and duets by Massenet, Puccini, Verdi VAI VHS 69710, 35 mins. VAI continues to bring us treasures from the gem-laden vaults of The Bell Telephone Hour,...

Leontyne Price: The Complete Bell Telephone Hour Performances.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Leontyne Price: The Complete Bell Telephone Hour Performances [] Arias by Verdi, Cilea. VAI VHS 69711 32 mins. The Bell Telephone Hour Orchestra, Vorhees VAI continues to bring us treasures from the gem-laden vaults of The Bell...

The Inextinguishable Symphony: A True Story of Music and Love in Nazi Germany.(Review)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The Inextinguishable Symphony: A True Story of Music and Love in Nazi Germany by Martin Goldsmith John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 346 pp. $24.95 It is hard to know what to expect from Martin Goldsmith's deeply felt memoir about his parents'...

Eiko on Stage.(Review)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Eiko on Stage by Eiko Ishioka Callaway Books, 224 pp. $90 At first glance, Eiko on Stage looks like egotism turned loose in an indulgent publisher's office. Who would spend almost $100 on a coffee-table book of set and costume designs,...

UNEASY LISTENING.(Review)
January 1, 2001... Once again, the genius of American marketing has discovered something I didn't know I needed. Allegro Music, eschewing the usual ploys of probing my insecurities or engaging me in a pleasant fantasy, merely suggests that "the simple, daily...