Opera
Two Girls Without a Clue
OPERA-LITE at Spoleto 2010. While I wasn’t assigned to deliver formal reviews of this year’s pair of what passed for conventionally-staged operas, I was able to attend both Wolfgang Rihm’s contemporary effort, Proserpina, and Neely Bruce’s modern reconstruction of the English ballad-opera, Flora. But since both of them are fairly short, single-act affairs (no... Read »
Collegiate Opera at Spoleto
UNDER THE SUPERVISION of faculty members David Templeton (director and producer), Deanna McBroom (musical director), and Irina Pevzner (pianist), Gianni Schicchi comes alive through an accomplished cast of College of Charleston students. Tenor Jonathan White, singing the role of Rinuccio, has a warm, full-bodied, and smooth voice that excels in a technically demanding role.... Read »
Actors and Marionettes
THE GATE THEATRE always offers something terrific and this year’s production of Present Laughter is no exception. Noel Coward’s play revolves around the character of Gary Essendine who is the star of his own life as well as the many stages he has dominated. Actor Stephen Brennan plays Essendine with aplomb, both in is... Read »
Spoleto Opera and Art
THE FIRST DAYS of Spoleto have, for me, been preoccupied with my eldest daughter’s graduation from the school she has attended for the last eight years. This departure before a new beginning has overshadowed my usual feeling of the festival’s whirlwind kickoff. Nevertheless, I have gotten to a few events. As an opera amateur,... Read »
