In BAM’s Fisher Space the moving new opera As One had its world premiere. Composed by Laura Kaminsky with Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed as co-librettists, As One tells the story of transgender Hannah from her childhood up through adulthood when she transitions to living as a woman. I entered the Fisher Space with… [Read More]
The Wrathful Perils of the Nautical Closet: Billy Budd (Glyndebourne at BAM)
Elizabeth – The only two people I know who had ever seen Billy Budd warned me before going that the opera isn’t that great. Actually they thought it was terrible: both of them had walked out of the opera many years ago. My other Britten experiences were a bit difficult as his music is not typical… [Read More]
New York City Opera, Kickstarter and the WTF Moment (Part 2)
On Friday morning I received another email from New York City Opera. “Dear Shawn, As you may have read by now New York City Opera is on the verge of canceling its season and filing for bankruptcy. You can read more in The New York Times and AP.” Both “The New York Times” and… [Read More]
A Drag Party on the Deck of the Titanic: The US Premiere of Anna Nicole (NYCO at BAM)
Last night was the US premiere of Anna Nicole performed by New York City Opera at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Here are our thoughts. Elizabeth – Richard Jones’ production of Anna Nicole made an overall triumphant American debut at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last night courtesy of the sagging New York City… [Read More]
New York City Opera, Kickstarter and the WTF Moment
New York City Opera announced Monday that it will cancel the remainder of its season after Anna Nicole if it does not raise $7 million by September 30th (one million of which will be through an online Kickstarter campaign) AND will cancel their entire 2014-15 season if they do not raise an additional $13 million by… [Read More]
New York City Opera, Kickstarter and the WTF Moment
New York City Opera announced Monday that it will cancel the remainder of its season after Anna Nicole if it does not raise $7 million by September 30th (one million of which will be through an online Kickstarter campaign) AND will cancel their entire 2014-15 season if they do not raise an additional $13 million by… [Read More]
Discordant Fellatio: Powder Her Face (NYCO at BAM)
We saw the final performance of New York City Opera’s production of Powder Her Face at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Powder Her Face follows the life of Margaret Campbell, the so-called Dirty Duchess of Argyll, her many affairs, divorce trial in 1963, and eventual lonely death. Rich subject matter for an opera. We had seen… [Read More]
