Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Carmen’ Delivers Compelling Moments Tempered by Contemporary Issues

Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Carmen’ Delivers Compelling Moments Tempered by Contemporary Issues

By CB Adams Poor Carmen. As the protagonist in George Bizet’s 1875 opera, she’s sometimes reduced to being the poster person for critical analysis of... Details
Opera Theatre’s ‘Galileo Galilei’ Mixes Brilliance With Bafflement

Opera Theatre’s ‘Galileo Galilei’ Mixes Brilliance With Bafflement

By CB Adams I won’t bury the lede: I wanted to like Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ production of “Galileo Galilei” more than I did.... Details
Opera Theatre Renders A Beautifully Heartfelt ‘La Boheme’

Opera Theatre Renders A Beautifully Heartfelt ‘La Boheme’

By CB Adams I shouldn’t admit this, but during the intermission at opening night of Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ production of “La Bohème,” I... Details
Opera Theatre’s ‘Barber of Seville’ Dazzles With Spirited Melodies and Comedic Brilliance

Opera Theatre’s ‘Barber of Seville’ Dazzles With Spirited Melodies and Comedic Brilliance

By CB Adams The poppy, exuberant experience of Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s production of “The Barber of Seville” begins well before the opening notes... Details
New Works Collective Delivers Three Outstanding Short Operas for All

New Works Collective Delivers Three Outstanding Short Operas for All

By CB Adams During one of the two intermissions in Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s third annual, three-pronged New Works Collective, I pondered aesthetics. Can... Details
Winter Opera’s Witty and Whimsical New Take on ‘Naughty Marietta’

Winter Opera’s Witty and Whimsical New Take on ‘Naughty Marietta’

David Taylor Little's New Book Shines in Winter Opera's 17th Season Finale By C.B. Adams What passed for a naughty narrative in 1910 would hardly... Details
Winter Opera’s Captivating ‘Manon Lescaut’ Filled with Passionate Memories

Winter Opera’s Captivating ‘Manon Lescaut’ Filled with Passionate Memories

By C.B. Adams Giacomo Puccini’s first outstanding success was “Manon Lescaut,” the musical setting of Abbé Prévost’s renowned (and banned in France) novel’s tale of... Details
Winter Opera Heats Up the Season with a Solid ‘Don Giovanni’

Winter Opera Heats Up the Season with a Solid ‘Don Giovanni’

By CB Adams Waiting for Winter Opera’s production of “Don Giovanni,” I was reminded of the forward to Milton Cross’ “Complete Stories of the Great... Details
Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Don Pasquale’ Is a Frothy, Summery Treat

Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Don Pasquale’ Is a Frothy, Summery Treat

By CB Adams As if to serve as a counterpoint to Union Avenue Opera’s (UAO) festival-opening but decidedly heavy “Turn Of the Screw,” the company... Details
Union Avenue Delivers a Powerfully Haunting ‘Turn of the Screw’

Union Avenue Delivers a Powerfully Haunting ‘Turn of the Screw’

By CB Adams Benjamin Britten said that “Composing is like driving down a foggy road.” He could just as easily been describing the experience of... Details