Opera is, to me, about a sonic and visual spectacle. A good opera, for me, looks really good and sounds really good. If the orchestra doesn’t sound like music, then it had better look amazing. If the singers aren’t up to scratch, then I hope the orchestra can pick up the slack. If the sets, costumes, or staging are drab, then there had better be some powerful music. “Tristan & Isolde” at #sfopera (closing tonight) has some great singing (but not across the board) and the orchestra does what it can but the score is the score. “Best (T & I) I’ve seen…” is like saying, “Best dog turd I’ve found on this sidewalk.” Even if it’s true, who cares?

Just got out from “Il Trovatore” at #sfopera.
1. Really great performance. Beautiful voices.
2. Inspired me with the idea of a game: “Bel Canto: the card game.” I’m going to start with…Love Triangle, Separated at Birth, and Tragic Mistake. Next turn, I’ll play Soprano Sent to Convent. Oh no! My opponent interrupted with Ambuscade! Um, I guess I can counter with Rescue/Sacrifice, but that leaves me to finish with…Suicide Pact and a tacked on Tragic Irony.

Went to #sfopera to see "La Traviata" last night. Probably the best performance of this standard that I've seen. Also, there were cute youths all dressed up for the evening in our box. I always love to see people making an effort.

Normally I’ll be 95% crossword content, but tomorrow I’m taking myself on a date to the #sfopera to see La Traviata, one of my favorites. Or at least one of my favorite Italian operas - I think this will be fourth time seeing it live. Excited for the new production!

file:///var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/D9848E92-5068-4EED-A9DD-25CC556E82D7/Documents/Export/AF1QipPsPc3I-lL96YjP3UQVJLsF2FmuD-SQLyVDqoRa/highQuality/Movie.mp4 Happy 100th anniversary #SFOpera #Orfeo #OrpheusAndEurydice #sftheatres

Settling down to watch SF Opera’s production of Gluck’s “Orpheus and Eurydice.” I’m watching online. Airplaying the sound and vision to my TV from my laptop. This production has received excellent reviews. Really looking forward to it. Jakub Józef Orliński, a counter-tenor, is supposed to be excellent.

Starts at 2pm PT - 80 minutes, One Act, No Intermission

Life is good.

Buy a digital ticket for $27.50 here: https://donate2.app/sfopera/orpheus

#sfopera
Wonderful La Traviata

Joshua Kosman on Gluck's "Orpheus and Eurydice" at SF Opera

The SF Opera's centennial season has already witnessed an important world premiere, a powerhouse revival of “Dialogues of the Carmelites” and a beautiful new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata.”

But the extraordinary new production of Gluck's "Orpheus and Eurydice" that opened last night, featuring the remarkable countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, might just surpass it all.

#music #opera #sfopera #gluck

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/review-at-s-f-opera-an-extraordinary-orpheus-grapples-with-death-and-loss