The SunBreak » seattle opera

The Tales of Hoffmann, An Operatic Delight

Michelle Scharlock — Fri, 16 May 2014 14:15:43 +0000

There’s something just zany and delightful about Seattle Opera’s recent The Tales of Hoffmann. As a Speight send-off at the end of the season, it pulls out all the theatrical magic stops with fire, fog, puppetry, and even a shout-out to the Czech tradition of black light theater. It smacks of Berlinesque staging with a … Continue reading →

What We’re Hearing This Month: Classical Music Picks For May

Dana Wen — Sat, 10 May 2014 14:55:42 +0000

Though May is already in full swing, there are still plenty of options for classical music fans looking for live music. This month's offerings run the gamut from opera and chamber music to modern dance and ballet.

Daughter of the Regiment: A Lighthearted Opera That’s a Total Romp

Philippa Kiraly — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:07:22 +0000

Girl meets boy. Instant attraction. Problems include disapproval from family, unforeseen complications, unhappiness of lovers. It’s a classic theater format that hasn’t changed in centuries, and the frothy romp that is Donizetti’s opera The Daughter of the Regiment is no exception. Daughter is evidence that enjoyment of absurd humor hasn’t changed in 173 years. Seattle … Continue reading →

A Comedienne on the Opera Stage: Joyce Castle

Philippa Kiraly — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:00:34 +0000

Mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle’s long career has, so far, spanned 43 years, and the opera star is not slowing down any time soon. She is here this month to sing the Marquise in Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment, (The Daughter of the Regiment) presented by Seattle Opera October 19-November 2. It’s a lighthearted romp with the … Continue reading →

In the Nordic-West, Seattle Opera’s “Ring” Fills a Great Hall

Michael van Baker — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:14:27 +0000

The word for “settler” among the Vikings was “Landnám’s man”; the first arrival in an area “took” the land and named it. There was a lexicon of settlement, made up of family names and the names for geographic features, descriptions of the kinds of settlements, and relationships between them. “Torp,” for instance, referred to an … Continue reading →

Two Women on the Verge in “Suor Angelica” & “Voix Humaine”

RVO — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:40:21 +0000

Portrayed by the amazing Nuccia Focile, Elle is part courage, part anger, and partly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Focile navigates the story with uncommon acting chops and a luscious, supple voice that conveys both the depth of Elle’s despair and the character’s strong will.