Reviews

Reviews

2010 International Season

 

Nabucco

Giuseppe Verdi

February 20, 23, 26, 28(m) 2010

 
Arthur Shen verrast in San Diego's Nabucco (in Dutch)
Opera Magazine

Verdi's 'Nabucco' from San Diego Opera, enjoyed by MARIA NOCKIN (PDF)
Music & Vision Daily

NABUCCO: Verdi’s Nebuchadnezzar II 
SD Jewish World

OPERA REVIEW: Static staging, costumes hinder musically glorious 'Nabucco' 
North County Times

Fink, Valayre and Aceto in San Diego Opera's Exceptional Nabucco 
Opera Warhorses

San Diego Opera's 'Nabucco' is dazzling 
San Diego News Network

San Diego Opera Revives Verdi's "Nabucco" 
SanDiego.com

San Diego Opera presents Verdi's 'Nabucco' 
Opera West

Opera review: Verdi was lucky; San Diego audience less so 
The San Diego Union-Tribune

An Electrifying and Colorful Nabucco 
ConcertoNet.com

'Nabucco' makes welcome return to San Diego Opera 
San Diego News Network

Verdi's Nabucco at the San Diego Opera 
SmorgZone

Having a Baal 
Out West Arts

Commentary: San Diego Opera's 'Nabucco' is dazzling 
San Diego Gay & Lesbian News

 

La bohème

Giacomo Puccini

Jan 30, Feb 2, 5, 7(m) 2010

 
Piotr Beczala, Ellie Dehn, Priti Gandhi Stunning in San Diego "La Boheme" 
Opera Warhorses

San Diego Opera provides traditional 'La bohème' 
La Jolla Village News

A Bouquet of Bohèmes 
Music & Vision Daily by Maria Nockin

Lively performances add zest to 'La bohème' 
North County Times

'La bohème' Opens San Diego Opera Season 
SanDiego.com

San Diego Opera's First Performance of 2010 Season: Puccini's 'La bohème' 
Associated Content

San Diego Opera offers irresistible 'La Bohème' 
San Diego News Network

A Shining Night in San Diego 
ConcertoNet.com

Musical stars sparkle in memorable 'La Bohème' 
San Diego Union-Tribune

Opera review: 'La Boheme' at San Diego Opera 
Los Angeles Times

San Diego Opera presents Beczala and Dehn in 'La Bohème' 
Opera West

 

2009 International Season

 

Madama Butterfly

Giacomo Puccini

May 9, 12, 15, 17(m), 20 2009

 
Racette, Ventre Impress in Zambello-Inspired 'Butterfly' at San Diego Opera - May 20, 2009 
Opera Warhorses

SDO’s dazzling ‘Butterfly’ takes flight 
SDNews.com

'Butterfly' a high-wattage match of singer, staging 
North County Times

Madama Butterfly Leaves You Breathless 
ConcertoNet.com

San Diego Opera Revives a Beautiful "Butterfly" 
Opera West

Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" at San Diego Opera 
SanDiego.com

'Butterfly' a bit slow to take wing 
San Diego Union-Tribune

Madama Butterfly at the San Diego Opera (9 May 2009): A Cultural Clash of Operatic Proportion 
Associated Content

'Butterfly' worth cheering at San Diego Opera 
San Diego News Network

 

Peter Grimes

Benjamin Britten

Apr 18, 21, 24, 26(m) 2009

 
Anthony Dean Griffey Wows San Diego In a Riveting “Peter Grimes” - April 24, 2009 
Opera Warhorses

Tragic opera touching and profound 
SDNews.com

Sublime Grimes 
SDTheatreScene.com

Title character of Peter Grimes worthy of our empathy 
San Diego Jewish World

Sea-worthy 
San Diego News Network

Crazy About the Boy 
Out West Arts

'Peter Grimes' wows with voices, sweeping drama 
North County Times

A Gripping "Peter Grimes" at San Diego Opera 
Opera West

San Diego Opera's "Peter Grimes" 
SanDiego.com

'Peter Grimes' comes home to San Diego Opera  
Los Angeles Times

It all comes together in ideal 'Peter Grimes' 
San Diego Union-Tribune

 

Rigoletto

Giuseppe Verdi

Mar 28, 31, Apr 3, 5(m), 8 2009

 
Verdi's Rigoletto, a showcase for superb baritone Lado Ataneli (PDF)
OperaClick

Rigoletto—another of Verdi's many masterpieces—well presented by San Diego Opera at the Civic Theatre 
San Diego Jewish World

Outstanding Performance 
Music & Vision Daily by Maria Nockin

Rigoletto is Grand Opera at its best (PDF)
La Jolla Village News

Pat Launer: Spotlight on Theater 
San Diego News Network

Rigoletto at San Diego Opera 
Opera Today

Soprano brings down the house in 'Rigoletto' 
North County Times

Power Verdi: Ataneli, Vargicova Excel in San Diego Opera "Rigoletto" 
Opera Warhorses

San Diego Opera's Powerful "Rigoletto" 
SanDiego.com

Monterone’s Curse 
ConcertoNet.com

Lauding Ataneli: Rigoletto at the San Diego Opera 
Associated Content

'Rigoletto' has many of the right ingredients 
San Diego Union-Tribune

 

Don Quixote

Jules Massenet

Feb 14, 17, 20, 22 (m) 2009

 
Don Quichotte (Spanish PDF)
Opera Actual

A Special Privilege: Massenet's 'Don Quichotte' in San Diego 
Music & Vision Daily

Massenet's Don Quichotte at San Diego Opera 
Opera Today

Melody? You bet: SDO’s ‘Don Quixote’ subtle, affecting 
sdnews.com

Starry, Starry Knight 
SD Theatre Scene

Tosca De Puccini En San Diego (in Spanish)
Ramón Jacques

San Diego Opera casts Ferruccio Furlanetto in Massenet's 'Don Quixote' 
Los Angeles Times

Furlanetto's 'Quixote' is one for the ages 
North County Times

Furlanetto, Campbell Lead Compelling Revival of Massenet’s “Don Quixote” – San Diego Opera February 14, 2009 
Opera Warhorses

Ferruccio Furlanetto Shines as the Noble Don Quixote 
Opera Click

Don Quichotte at San Diego Opera 
The Opera Tattler

Classic Chivalry is Bestowed Upon Don Quichotte 
ConcertoNet.com

A superb 'Quixote' in any language 
San Diego Union-Tribune/SignOnSanDiego.com

San Diego Opera Presents "Don Quixote" 
SanDiego.com

Massenet's Don Quichotte (Don Quixote) at the San Diego Opera (14 February 2009) 
AssociatedContent.com

 

Tosca

Giacomo Puccini

Jan 24, 27, 30, Feb 1 (m), 4, 2009

 
Buscando atraer al público (in Spanish)
Mundoclasico.com

Amazing Clarity: Greer Grimsley sings Scarpia in 'Tosca' from San Diego 
Music & Vision Daily by Maria Nockin

Grimsley Memorable in San Diego Opera’s Quasi-Traditional “Tosca” - January 27, 2009 
Opera Warhorses

Extraordinary pair make SD Opera’s ‘Tosca’ one to remember 
SDNews.com

Tosca at San Diego Opera 
The Opera Tattler

Giacomo Puccini - San Diego Opera: Tosca 
OperaClick

Trio of world-class singers freshens up 'Tosca' 
North County Times

Fatal Beauty: Tosca at the San Diego Opera (24 January 2009) 
Epinions

San Diego Opera presents Puccini's "Tosca" 
SanDiego.com by David Gregson

A listless 'Tosca' never catches fire 
San Diego Union-Tribune/SignOnSanDiego.com

Tosca Delivers Opening One-Two Punch 
ConcertoNet.com

SOS 
Out West Arts

 

2008 International Season

 

The Pearl Fishers

Georges Bizet

May 3, 6, 9 and 11 (m), 2008

 
AN EXOTIC ATMOSPHERE 
Music & Vision Daily by Maria Nockin

Castronovo, Siurina Lead Magical San Diego Opera “Pearl Fishers” 
Opera Warhorses

Sail on, Ceylon THE SHOW: The Pearl Fishers 
SD Theatre Scene

Mother of 'Pearl' 
Voice of San Diego

A Zandra Rhodes ‘look’ in BIZET’s THE PEARL FISHERS 
SD Theatre Scene

Revisiting ‘Pearl Fishers’ 
La Jolla Village News

REVIEW: SD Opera closes season with beautifully sung, designed 'Pearl Fishers' 
North County Times

THE PEARL FISHERS 
OperaClick

THE PEARL FISHER 
Classical Voice

Rare Pearl in San Diego 
ConcertoNet

Castronovo and Siurina Shine in SDO "The Pearl Fishers" 
Opera West

'Pearl Fishers' ends season on a high note 
The Union-Tribune

Pearl Fishers Opening Night at SDO: The Boys Are Good, But Siurina Is The Show 
Epinions

 

Aida

Giuseppe Verdi

April 12, 15, 18, 20 (m), 23, 2008

 
Ópera en América (in Spanish)
Pro Opera

Team Verdi: San Diego Opera’s Praiseworthy “Aida” 
Opera Warhorses

Poignant 'Aida' 
Voice of San Diego

Doomed Love Verdi's 'Aida' at San Diego Opera 
Music & Vision Daily by Maria Nockin

San Diego Theatre Scene Teen Perspective 
San Diego Theatre Scene

Aida 
Classical Voice

The A’s have it in top-notch production 
La Jolla Village News

Voices are the most spectacular part of this 'Aida' 
North County Times

Aida (PDF)
Opera Click

Thomas, Ventre bring forth a breathtaking 'Aida' 
The Union-Tribune

Celeste Indra! Mariana Divina! 
Epinions

 

Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci

Pietro Mascagni & Ruggero Leoncavallo

March 22, 25, 28, 30 (m) and April 2, 2008

 
Ópera en América (in Spanish)
Pro Opera

San Diego Opera: Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci 
Opera Today

Cura, Futral Shine in New San Diego Opera “Pagliacci” 
Opera Warhorses

Contagian sus pasiones (In Spanish)
Frontera

Ultimate Double Feature 
Voice of San Diego

A Trip to Heaven 
Music & Vision Daily by Maria Nockin

Tradition and Novelty in San Diego Opera's New "Cavalleria" 
Opera Warhorses

Opera doubles listeners’ tenor pleasure 
La Jolla Village News

Ruggero Leoncavallo e Pietro Mascagni - San Diego Opera: Cavalleria Rusticana e Pagliacci 
Opera Click

"Cav and Pag" at San Diego Opera 
SanDiego.com

'Pag' and its star overshadow 'Cav' in operatic double bill 
North County Times

CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA/PAGLIACCI 
Classical Voice

Cav/Pag Opening Night at SDO: Carter Scott and José Cura Superstars 
Epinions

'Cav/Pag': Twice the enjoyment 
The Union-Tribune

 

Mary, Queen of Scots

Gaetano Donizetti

February 16, 19, 22 and 24(m), 2008

 
Musically Thrilling 'Maria Stuarda' at San Diego Opera, 
Music & Vision Daily by Maria Nockin

Mary, Queen of Scots (Maria Stuarda) 
Opera Today

S.D. Opera scores with Maria Stuarda 
San Diego Jewish World by Carol Davis

No fear of the unknown at SD Opera 
La Jolla Village News by Charlene Baldridge

Off With Her Head! 
SD Theatre Scene

Something Fantastic About 'Mary' 
Voice of San Diego

Angela Gilbert Takes Over San Diego Opera "Maria Stuarda" 
SanDiego.com

Queens' night at the opera 
Los Angeles Times

'Mary, Queen of Scots,' an unfair catfight 
The Union-Tribune

Jaho, Aldrich Triumph in San Diego "Maria Stuarda" - February 16, 2008" 
Opera Warhorses

MARIA STUARDA 
Classical Voice

"Mary, Queen of Scots" at San Diego Opera 
SanDiego.com

A Queenly Night At The SD Opera 
Epinions.com

 

Tannhäuser

Richard Wagner

January 26, 29, 1 and 3 (m), 2008

 
Ópera en América (in Spanish)
Pro Opera

Tannhäuser at San Diego Opera 
Opera Today

Medieval LegendsRichard Wagner's 'Tannhäuser' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by MARIA NOCKIN 
Music & Vision

Tantalizing 'Tannhäuser' 
Voice of San DiegoBy Molly Bettiga

TANNHÄUSER (PDF)
Opera Click

SDO goes to Venusberg and back 
La Jolla Village News by Charlene Baldridge

Sumptuous 'Tannheuser' one of San Diego Opera's finest 
North County Times

TANNHÄUSER 
Classical Voice

A robust opening 
The Union-Tribune

Wagner Knows Best: Elegant San Diego Opera "Tannhäuser" Sticks to the Story 
Opera Warhorses

 

2007 International Season

 

The Marriage of Figaro

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

May 5, 8, 11, 13 (m) and 16, 2007

 
A Magnetic Presence 
Music & Vision by Maria Nockin

San Diego Opera: The Marriage of Figaro 
Opera Click by Olga Hirsch

Bernstein wraps up San Diego Opera season in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro 
San Diego Jewish World by Carol Davis

SDO goes out on high note with 'Figaro' 
La Jolla Village News by Charlene Baldridge

SD Opera closes season with exquisite 'Figaro' 
North County Times by Pam Kragen

'Figaro' Delights 
Voice of San Diego by Molly Bettiga

'Marriage of Figaro' a night of surprises 
The Union-Tribune by Valerie Scher

"The Marriage of Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 
SanDiego.com by David Gregson, San Diego Magazine music critic.

 

Wozzeck

Alban Berg

April 14, 17, 20 and 22 (m), 2007

 
Humanizing "Wozzeck": Hawlata, McAnuff, Brill Create a San Diego Opera Masterpiece 
Opera Warhorses

Wozzeck at San Diego Opera 
Opera Today by Chris Mullins

Revenge Tragedy 
SD Theatre Scene

Hoist a glass to McAnuff, opera 
La Jolla Village News by Charlene Baldridge

San Diego Opera: Wozzeck 
Opera Click by Olga Hirsch

McAnuff's 'Wozzeck' is highly charged opera theater 
North County Times by Pam Kragen

Des McAnuff takes an operatic directorial spin that pays off with shouts of "bravo" from the audience. 
Voice of San Diego by Molly Bettiga

'Wozzeck' a blend of vision and talent 
The Union-Tribune by Anne Marie Welsh

San Diego Opera presents Alban Berg's "Wozzeck" 
SanDiego.com by David Gregson, San Diego Magazine music critic.

 

Il trovatore

Giuseppe Verdi

March 24, 27, 30, April 1 (m) and 4, 2007

 
Nicely Done “Il Trovatore” in Verdi-Friendly San Diego - April 4, 2007 
Opera Warhorses

San Diego Opera: Il Trovatore 
Opera Click by Olga Hirsch

San Diego Opera — Il Trovatore 
Opera Today by Chris Mullins

San Diego Opera’s ‘Il trovatore,’ a true Troubadour’s tale 
La Jolla Village News by Joel D. Amos

San Diego Theatre Scene Teen Perspective - Review for Il Trovatore 
SD Theatre Scene by Alice Cash

Pat Launer reviews TORVATORE and is her #1 Not to be Missed Pick 
SD Theatre Scene by Pat Launer

Moody and dark, San Diego Opera's "Il trovatore" intoxicates the senses. 
Voice of San Diego by Molly Bettiga

Big voices lift San Diego Opera's dark 'Il Trovatore' 
North County Times by Pam Kragen

'Il Trovatore' a noble, hard-fought victory 
The Union-Tribune by James Chute

San Diego Opera: Verdi's "Il Trovatore" 
SanDiego.com by David Gregson, San Diego Magazine music critic.

 

Samson and Delilah

Camille Saint-Saëns

February 17, 20, 23 and 25 (m), 2007

 
Seductive Denyce Graves Enthralls San Diego in “Samson et Dalila” - February 23, 2007 
Opera Warhorses

BRINGIN’ THE HOUSE DOWN 
SD Theatre Scene

Opera’s heroic Samson up against the walls 
La Jolla Village News by Charlene Baldridge

SAMSON & DELILAH Stars… Direction * Sets * Costumes & Lighting 
SD Theatre Scene

Spectacular 'Samson' one of San Diego Opera's best-ever productions 
North County Times by Pam Kragen

'Samson' Brings Down the House 
Voice of San Diego by Molly Bettiga

San Diego Opera Presents "Samson and Delilah" 
Opera West by David Gregson, San Diego Magazine music critic.

Multiple senses are saturated by cast, set 
The Union-Tribune by Grace Leslie

 

Boris Godunov

Modest Mussorgsky

January 27, 30, February 2 and 4 (m), 2007

 
San Diego Opera: Boris Godunov 
Operaclick by Olga Hirsch

The Russian Macbeth 
SD Theatre Scene

Furlanetto’s, San Diego Opera’s, Compelling 1869 Version of “Boris Godunov” - January 30, 2007 
Opera Warhorses

Furlanetto in fine fettle as Boris 
La Jolla Village News by Charlene Baldridge

'Boris' is epic opera with moody emotion and a commanding star 
North County Times by Pam Kragen

San Diego Opera’s season opener ‘Boris Godunov’ is good, but it just didn’t grab the audience 
OperaOnline.us by Carie J. Delmar

Boris Reigns on Opening Night 
Voice of San Diego by Molly Bettiga

S.D. Opera's core version of Mussorgsky classic a triumph 
The Union-Tribune by Valerie Scher

San Diego Opera's "Boris Godunov" 
Opera West by David Gregson, San Diego Magazine music critic