Review: John Adams's EL NINO Finally Arrives at the Met After World Travels
Back in December, I saw the chamber version of John Adams’s EL NINO—dubbed EL NINO: NATIVITY RECONSIDERED—at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Pared down to its essence, it was wonderful, starred two of the singers who made their debuts in the premiere at the Met, soprano Julia Bullock and bass-baritone Davone Tines plus countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who were at their best. It was a somber evening in a dramatic setting—a far cry from the oratorio/opera’s over-the-top welcome to Lincoln Center last night, in Lileana Blain-Cruz’s production that made me wonder what Franco Zeffirelli might have done with it. Think the Parisian throngs in Act II of the Met’s LA BOHEME (which, of course, is one of the Met’s most popular productions with audiences).
The Gerda Lissner Foundation Will Hold Free Concert At Carnegie Hall
A free concert featuring some of today's most illustrious young vocal artists comes to Carnegie Hall this May! The Gerda Lissner Foundation, in association with The Liederkranz Foundation, presents An Evening of Lieder/Song, Opera, Operetta and Zarzuela. This one-night-only engagement will feature the top winners from the 2024 International Vocal Competition and the 2023 Lieder/Song Vocal Competition, plus a special guest appearance: Honoring Metropolitan Opera Star* and Grammy Award Winner Anthony Roth Costanzo.