ByGD
The last time Seattle Opera performed Verde’s Il Trovatore was in 2010. I saw it then, but I wasn’t blogging yet, so I don’t have a record of my impressions, and my memories are a little vague. Il Trovatore was the first opera that my opera buddy ever saw – she saw Seattle Opera’s mid-90’s production. We were both excited to see how this new production directed by local artist Dan Wallace Miller compares to our earlier experiences.
ByGD
Elizabeth Llewellyn (Bess) and Kevin Short (Porgy). Philip Newton photo c/o Seattle Opera
Porgy and Bess, the first opera in Seattle Opera’s new season, is either loved as a pillar of the opera canon or reviled as a racist tool of oppression. Earlier this week I talked about the reasons for the differing opinions. Today I want to talk about the one thing everyone can agree on – the quality of Seattle Opera’s production of the divisive Porgy and Bess.