Opera Philadelphia and Boston Lyric Opera present Joseph Bologne’s The Anonymous Lover

The genius of the Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Opera Philadelphia, selling out the season after offering $11 tickets to all, delighted a packed house with a faultless production of the only surviving opera by an 18th-century genius, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Gail Obenreder

Feb 03, 2025 · Reviews · 5 minute read

OperaDelaware and Opera Baltimore present Puccini’s La bohème

Puccini’s genius lives on

La bohème is one of the opera canon’s all-time favorites. In a co-production with Opera Baltimore, OperaDelaware offered a lively, beautifully staged production that showcased Puccini’s musical genius. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Gail Obenreder

Oct 29, 2024 · Reviews · 5 minute read

Philly Fringe 2024: Opera Philadelphia and FringeArts present Missy Mazzoli and Royce Varek’s The Listeners

An immersive and impressive American premiere

The Listeners, a down-to-earth, refreshing new opera from composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Varek, gets its American premiere in a co-presentation with FringeArts as part of the 2024 Curated Fringe. Lowry Yankwich reviews.

Lowry Yankwich

Sep 26, 2024 · Reviews · 3 minute read

The Wilma’s Hilma does not do justice to Hilma af Klint’s art, life, or legacy

Women artists still deserve better

A new opera about the visionary but little-known painter Hilma af Klint perpetuates longstanding dismissals of women artists and may be a keen disappointment to fans of her work. Melissa Strong considers.

Melissa Strong

Jun 18, 2024 · Essays · 5 minute read

The BSR Podcast, season 8, episode 8: Hilma at the Wilma

Hilma librettist Kate Scelsa reveals the backstory of this striking new opera

BSR Podcast host Darnelle Radford sits down with Hilma librettist Kate Scelsa to find out how this new contemporary opera made its way to the Wilma.

Darnelle Radford

Jun 12, 2024 · Podcast · 1 minute read

The Wilma Theater and New Georges present Kate Scelsa and Robert M. Johanson’s Hilma

A new opera about the artist Hilma af Klint fails to illuminate her

Hilma, a contemporary opera receiving its world premiere at the Wilma Theater, fails to capture the artistry or mystical charisma of its subject, the painter Hilma af Klint. Cameron Kelsall reviews.

Cameron Kelsall

Jun 10, 2024 · Reviews · 5 minute read

OperaDelaware presents Puccini’s Turandot

A new ending for a grand opera

Puccini’s legendary Turandot (unfinished when he died) is typically a rare treat for opera lovers, but OperaDelaware joins many companies marking the centennial of the composer’s death. This impressive production features a new ending by Derrick Wang. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Gail Obenreder

May 21, 2024 · Reviews · 6 minute read

Opera Philadelphia presents Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

A radiant metamorphosis

Opera is grappling with the iconic creations of Giacomo Puccini: can we reverse harmful depictions of marginalized people while
honoring the work’s integrity? Opera Philadelphia finds a way with its new
Madame Butterfly. Linda Holt reviews.

Linda Holt

Apr 30, 2024 · Reviews · 5 minute read

Festival O23: Opera Philadelphia presents Rene Orth and Hannah Moscovitch’s 10 Days in a Madhouse

“I’m mad they say”

Festival O23’s world-premiere production of composer Rene Orth and librettist Hannah Moscovitch’s 10 Days in a Madhouse is fresh, urgent, and relevant. Alaina Johns reviews.

Alaina Johns

Sep 25, 2023 · Reviews · 5 minute read

Festival O23: Opera Philadelphia presents Karim Sulayman’s Unholy Wars

Reframing the “Middle East”

Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O23 features the Philly premiere of Grammy-winning Lebanese American tenor Karim Sulayman’s Unholy Wars, with artistic triumph in every detail. Gail Obenreder reviews.

Gail Obenreder

Sep 25, 2023 · Reviews · 4 minute read