Concert and opera reviews from Northern California.
The hall was decked out with festive wreaths, garlands, giant lit trees and nutcrackers, as well as a hot chocolate cart. Outside, brass players from the Symphony treated passers-by to Christmas carols.
Read MoreThe orchestra was in the most capable hands of Music Director Eun Sun Kim. Her energy and mastery of the music is quite remarkable and the orchestra was in very good form.
Read MoreThe SF Jazz Center was well transformed into a tennis court with Howard Cossell, (played by Mark Hernandez) the well-known sportscaster in a box way up high. He represented ABC’s Wide World of Sports, to tie the two pieces together.
Read MoreThe staging was quite spectacular and varied…There were several memorable symbols that changed dramatically with the expert lighting design of Pablo Santiago.
Read MoreTonight’s conductor, Eun Sun Kim, an up-and-coming young (39) Korean. She will be the first Asian music director of a major U.S. opera company and the first female music director in San Francisco.
Read MoreThere are various children’s activities in conjunction with the opera, including a gingerbread scavenger hunt!
Read MoreArmenian soprano Lianna Haroutounian, making her role debut and a splendid one, too. She has a soaring voice and can reflect the various emotions and situations that Manon must go through.
Read MoreThe singers made a very good ensemble both vocally and visually. The title role was sung by American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel.
Read MoreThe evening sparkled throughout and there seemed a remarkable sense of ensemble performance...it was a night to remember.
Read MoreThe boyish baritone John Chest in the title role. He was very credible as the naive young sailor, singing and acting the part extremely well.
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