Excellence can seem such a simple achievement. Merely assemble practiced, solid parts such as singer/actors, music and libretto (on a timeless theme) and put them on a stage-in-the-round so all their virtues wrap the audience in easy accessibility — not to mention three electronic boards with the dialogue raised high so it’s readable from every angle — and continue, for the duration, to stay out of the way, for goodness sake, until the play is done! Actually, there is some meddling with this simple formula which is so professional that one barely notices, but feels, the enhancements it delivers, while watching Benjamin Britten’s new Boston Lyric Opera production of “The Rape of Lucretia.” Three toughs who also happen to be aristocrats occupy a steep flight of stairs at stage rear of the opening scene. Between battles with a Greek army threatening Rome, they are contemplating what … [Read more...] about BOSTON LYRIC OPERA’S ‘THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA’
Boston Lyric Opera
Boston Lyric Opera presents The Rake’s Progress
By James Foritano Boston, MA - A new production by director Allegra Libonati illuminates the Cutler Majestic’s historic stage and house with a tale at once simple and profound. Simple because, to the delight of this opera lover, the characters to keep in view form a neat triad of hero (Tom Rakewell, sung by Ben Bliss), heroine (Anne Trulove, sung by Anya Matanovic) and villain (Nick Shadow, sung by Kevin Burdette). Tom Rakewell is our wavering hero who charges off to London with a new inheritance, eying the goal of tasting all London’s sophisticated — and mostly low pleasures — while keeping intact the purity of his love to Anne Trulove. Nick is a dope, but a dope with the complication of deeper qualities which shine progressively albeit tragically stronger as his fate closes around him. Villain Nick Shadow is no dope; he’s a hunter of human folly so astute you might think … [Read more...] about Boston Lyric Opera presents The Rake’s Progress
Boston Lyric Opera Annex presents Greek; Opera 101 at Boston Public Library Dec. 8
Boston Lyric Opera Annex presents Greek; Opera 101 at Boston Public Library Dec. 8 By James Foritano Boston, MA - “Greek,” which was performed as part of the Boston Lyric Opera’s “Opera Annex” series from Nov. 16-20 at Washington Street’s Emerson Paramount Theater, while bold and daring, bit off more than it, and we, can chew. At least in this reviewer’s opinion. This is not to damn the production, since experimental theater/opera is supposed to take chances, and the Boston Lyric Opera’s “Opera Annex” series is purposed to “shake up the grand-opera model,” according to approving praise from the Wall Street Journal that was quoted in this opera’s program. Perhaps, though, some classics are better off left alone, or at least approached with more modesty — lest the approach itself be “shaken up.” To start at the very beginning would be to start around 2,500 years ago … [Read more...] about Boston Lyric Opera Annex presents Greek; Opera 101 at Boston Public Library Dec. 8