Winter Opera St Louis
Season 6 Press

Season 6 Press

TOSCA

“Winter Opera’s ‘Tosca’ proves you can look and sound lavish on a budget” by Chuck Lavazzi, KDHX

   “Winter Opera has closed their current season with a musically splendid and visually satisfying production of Puccini’s 1900 political melodrama “Tosca.” Acting and some casting choices did not always strike me as ideal, but the company sang beautifully, the orchestra sounded solid, and the sets and costumes were, given the group’s small budget, quite lavish. It was, in short, quite a feather in the cap of the organization I’m starting to regard as The Little Opera Company That Could.

“The principals in this production all had fine, strong voices that were solid throughout their ranges. Baritone Nelson Martinez was a terrific Scarpia…. Soprano Stella Zambalis got Tosca’s intensity and delivered a first class “Vissi d’arte”… Tenor Alex Richardson was vocally an exceptional Cavaradossi.”

Read the full review here: http://kdhx.org/arts/theater-reviews/winter-operas-tosca-proves-you-and-look-and-sound-lavish-on-a-budget

THE MIKADO

“Modified rapture at Winter Opera’s Mikado” by Chuck Lavazzi

“The cast was consistently strong, and some performances were downright outstanding.”

“(Baritone Lane Johnson)  He’s gotten rave reviews for previous performances of the part elsewhere, and it’s not hard to see why: a solid voice and impeccable comic timing.”

“In fact, the Viragh Center (on the Chaminade campus in Frontenac) might just be one of the best opera spaces in town. The stage is large and deep, sight lines are good, and the seating is comfortable.”

read more at KDHX http://kdhx.org/arts/theater-reviews/modified-rapture-at-winter-operas-mikado

“Winter Opera brings in The Mikado” by Patricia Rice

“Jumping into its sixth season this weekend, Winter Opera aims to reach new heights and wider audiences in its first permanent venue. For the first time, the company founded in St. Louis’ opera-loving Hill neighborhood is offering a season of three, fully staged operas with sets designed from scratch for the company.”

read more at the Beacon https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/27855/winter_opera_mikado_110212

 

THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE

“Winter Opera Takes On Baby Doe” by Sarah Bryan Miller

 http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/q-a-winter-opera-st-louis-takes-on-baby-doe/article_e7cca7a3-cce2-594e-9309-a789a52f46f9.html

“Winter Opera Saint Louis Takes On American Classic” by Sarah Bryan Miller

“Mezzo-soprano Lindsey Anderson was the most impressive in dramatic terms, imbuing Augusta with a rock-ribbed New England righteousness that had neither room nor sympathy for weakness, and singing with a dark tone entirely appropriate for the character.”

“In the title role, soprano Gina Galati displayed a sweet, clear voice with well-placed high notes, and captured the essence of Baby. The character’s devotion is rewarded with four lovely arias, and Galati made the most of them.”

read more at http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/reviews/winter-opera-st-louis-takes-on-american-classic/article_cf0f0860-c4f1-51b9-98ce-8f4186ef17ab.html

“Baby Doe: The Mine May Be Played Out” by Chuck Lavazzi

“Musically, Winter Opera’s “Baby Doe” was mostly very impressive.”

“Baritone Adelmo Guidarelli was a first-rate Horace Tabor; not surprising, given that he’s one of the few opera singers who can lay claim to a MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) award for a cabaret show. You don’t get that without some theatre smarts. Lindsey Anderson, who was such a fine Katisha in Winter Opera’s “Mikado” last year, turned out yet another outstanding performance as Augusta Tabor. Yes, she’s one of the few singers helped rather than hindered by the libretto, but it was still a nicely nuanced portrayal.”

“In the final analysis, I think Winter Opera should be congratulated for bringing what is (at least) a historically significant work to town for the first time… Winter Opera is a welcome presence on the local music scene, and I hope they continue to prosper and take on risky projects as well as the more mainstream stuff.”

read more at http://kdhx.org/arts/theater-reviews/baby-doe-the-mine-may-be-played-out

HECTV Video Review by Gerry Kowarsky

“Impressive Impact”

“A Fine Effort All Around”

see it at HECTV http://www.hectv.org/video/3774/february-21-2013/#!/review-of-the-ballad-of-baby-doe/