Opera

Preferences

In general, I prefer more "classic" works and am partial to the great Italian -i composers (Bellini, Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, and Donizetti), Handel, and, to a lesser extent, some French, German (mainly Wagner), and Mozart works. Essentially, if someone who's 85 likes it, I probably do too.

I don't get much out of contemporary music. I just can't get into it but I'm trying to be more open.

The Process

Being based in San Francisco, I mainly review shows in and around the Bay Area, but depending on my travels, I'll go out of my way to attend operas in different cities. 

Productions Seen (includes shows I haven't written about)

2022-2023 Season

1. Dialogue des Carmélites at SF Opera

2. La Traviata at SF Opera

3. Eden - Joyce Didonato at Cal Performances

4. La Traviata at the Met 

5. Lohengrin at the Met

6. Norma at the Met 

7. War Requiem at SF Symphony

8. Madama Butterfly at SF Opera 

9. Die Frau Ohne Schatten at SF Opera

2023-2024 Season

1. Il Trovatore at SF Opera

2. Lohengrin at SF Opera

3. Rodelinda at Cal Performances

4. L'elisir d'amore at SF Opera

5. Pulcinella at SF Symphony

6. Renee Fleming in Recital at Cal Performances

7. La Forza del Destino at the Met

8. Turandot at the Met

9. Madama Butterfly at the Met

10. Roméo et Juliette at the Met

11. Jakub Jozef Orlinski at Cal Performances