Tag Archives: San Francisco Opera
Andrea Chenier in San Francisco
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 15th September 2016Umberto Giordano’s Andrea Chenier is one of opera’s guiltiest pleasures. Critics fall all over their computers deploring its second rate status, but audiences love it when it’s properly cast and led. To bring off the work you must have a big voiced Verdi tenor, soprano, and baritone. My first experience with Giordano’s potboiler was with…
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Falstaff in San Francisco
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 9th October 2013October 2, 2013 marked the first performance of the San Francisco Opera’s new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s final opera Falstaff. Bryn Terfel in the title role was the show’s big attraction. Over the past 50 years I’ve seen more performances of Falstaff than I can remember. Terfel’s impersonation was by far the best. He’s been…
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Mefistofele – Photos by Robert Cahen
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 8th October 2013Boito’s Mefistofele which just finished its run at the San Francisco Opera is one of the oddest works in the standard operatic repertory even though its on its fringe. Its creator Arrigo Boito (1842-1918) was one of art’s great examples of the capacities and limitations of a man of talent, erudition, and skill who lacks…
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Pavarotti in L’Elisir D’Amore – San Francisco 1969
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 1st June 2013Below are four photographs of the young (and beardless) Luciano Pavarotti as Nemorino in the 1969 production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore at the San Francisco Opera . The photos were kindly supplied by the eminent opera photographer Robert Cahen. The Dulcamara pictured with Pavarotti is the late bass Sesto Brusantini (1919-2003). Reri Grist (b 1932)…
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The Photographs of Robert Cahen – Cesare Siepi
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 2nd May 2013The following photos are of the late bass Cesare Siepi (1923-2010) as Don Giovanni They were taken by Mr Cahen during the 1968 run of Don Giovanni in San Francisco. The complete cast list is below. –
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Bellini at the SFO – Photos by Robert Cahen
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 5th October 2012Here are some photographs of the current production of Bellini’s I Capuleti E I Montecchi at the San Francisco Opera. They were kindly provided by the distinguished opera photographer Robert Cahen.
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The Photographs of Robert Cahen – Part 2
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 14th December 2011The photos below were all taken by Robert Cahen for the San Francisco Opera. They were given to me by Mr Cahen and are used with his permission.
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