opera reviews

With Mozart’s music, Harry Bicket in the pit, and a top-flight cast, Mozart’s comic masterpiece, “Le nozze di Figaro” is in capable hands.

Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” (The Tales of Hoffmann) is back at the Metropolitan Opera in a sparkling production

Handel’s masterpiece “Ottone” benefits from a stellar performance on a three-CD set from Decca.

Erato, a division of Warner Classics, has issued a DVD of the Jan. 16, 2016 Metropolitan Opera production of Georges Bizet’s rarely performed opera, “The Pearl Fishers.”

Franco Alfano’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” is a minor opera, but with Roberto Alagna in the title role, a strong supporting cast and a beautiful production, the evening was a major pleasure.

As the Dutchman, Michael Volle delivers an authoritative performance, charismatic and rich-toned.

“Roméo et Juliette” is now back at the Metropolitan Opera, starring the German soprano Diana Damrau and the Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo.

“Il Trovatore” is one of those operas where great music prevails over a ridiculous plot.

The Metropolitan Opera has a new production, pairing Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” with Bartok’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.”

Richard Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” clocks in at almost six hours, which may be too much of a good thing. Or maybe not.

The Met’s current revival of “Andrea Chénier” lacks luster of earlier productions.

With Mozart’s music, Harry Bicket in the pit, and a top-flight cast, Mozart’s comic masterpiece, “Le nozze di Figaro” is in capable hands.

Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” (The Tales of Hoffmann) is back at the Metropolitan Opera in a sparkling production

Handel’s masterpiece “Ottone” benefits from a stellar performance on a three-CD set from Decca.

Erato, a division of Warner Classics, has issued a DVD of the Jan. 16, 2016 Metropolitan Opera production of Georges Bizet’s rarely performed opera, “The Pearl Fishers.”

Franco Alfano’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” is a minor opera, but with Roberto Alagna in the title role, a strong supporting cast and a beautiful production, the evening was a major pleasure.

As the Dutchman, Michael Volle delivers an authoritative performance, charismatic and rich-toned.

“Roméo et Juliette” is now back at the Metropolitan Opera, starring the German soprano Diana Damrau and the Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo.

“Il Trovatore” is one of those operas where great music prevails over a ridiculous plot.

The Metropolitan Opera has a new production, pairing Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” with Bartok’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.”

Richard Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” clocks in at almost six hours, which may be too much of a good thing. Or maybe not.

The Met’s current revival of “Andrea Chénier” lacks luster of earlier productions.