| Opera Philadelphia - Philadelphia | 19 April 2024 |
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Written on Skin
Elizabeth Cree
Le nozze di Figaro
Tancredi
L'elisir d'amore
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Performance reviews
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10 Days in a MadhouseOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Intelligent and moving, ’10 Days in a Madhouse’ exemplifies the power of opera |
 8 Oct 23 / New York Observer |
10 Jours dans un asile, 90 minutes féministes à l'Opéra de Philadelphie |
| 5 Oct 23 / Olyrix |
‘10 Days In Madhouse’ isn’t just opera of mad scenes; it’s, well, odd |
| 30 Sep 23 / Classical Voice North America |
more reviews [+]
10 Days in a Madhouse premieres at Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O |
| 28 Sep 23 / Seen and Heard |
Opera Philadelphia's 10 Days in a Madhouse confronts the madwoman myth |
| 25 Sep 23 / Bachtrack |
A madhouse is not a home |
| 24 Sep 23 / parterre box |
A reporter feigned madness to expose abuse. Now it’s an unnerving opera. |
| 23 Sep 23 / Washington Post |
Philly Opera’s “10 Days” compellingly explores the notion of “madness” |
| 23 Sep 23 / Classical Review |
Unholy WarsOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Unholy Wars à Philadelphie : (Middle) East Coast |
| 7 Oct 23 / Olyrix |
Innovation and excellence at Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O23 |
| 3 Oct 23 / Seen and Heard |
With a different perspective, Unholy Wars shows what's old is new again at Opera Philadelphia |
| 29 Sep 23 / Broadway World |
more reviews [+]
Opera Philadelphia's Unholy Wars creates a dialogue with Monteverdi |
| 26 Sep 23 / Bachtrack |
Simon BoccanegraOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Simon Boccanegra de la Wallonie à Philadelphie |
| 5 Oct 23 / Olyrix |
Stellar cast shines in Opera Philadelphia’s Simon Boccanegra |
| 26 Sep 23 / Seen and Heard |
Not a perfect Simon Boccanegra—is there such a thing?—but a grand and often great one |
| 26 Sep 23 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
Quinn Kelsey triumphs in Opera Philadelphia's Simon Boccanegra |
| 26 Sep 23 / Bachtrack |
La bohèmeOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Una ‘Bohème’ al revés |
| 12 May 23 / Scherzo |
Puccini opera played backwards isn’t revolutionary but it has its moments |
| 10 May 23 / Broadway World |
Audacieuse et joyeuse Bohème à rebours à Philadelphie |
| 4 May 23 / Olyrix |
more reviews [+]
Backwards runs ‘Bohème’ |
| 3 May 23 / parterre box |
La bohème (in reverse) in Philadelphia |
| 3 May 23 / Bachtrack |
Opera Philadelphia’s ‘La bohème’ is a quick sprint — in reverse |
| 30 Apr 23 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Carmina BuranaOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Opera Philadelphia Chorus and Orchestra are center stage in Carmina Burana |
| 9 Feb 23 / Seen and Heard |
OtelloOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Un ‘Otello’ de Rossini en manos españolas |
| 14 Oct 22 / Scherzo |
The audience responded with an enthusiastic ovation |
| 9 Oct 22 / Opera Today |
Rossinian vocal fireworks overcome dramatic torpor in Opera Philadelphia's Otello |
| 4 Oct 22 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Rossini’s rare ‘Otello’ glitters as vocal gold, but the staging is gray |
| 1 Oct 22 / Classical Voice North America |
Quand la voix dépasse la scène |
| 27 Sep 22 / Olyrix |
A divided duty |
| 27 Sep 22 / parterre box |
Opera Philadelphia excavates a fascinating rarity with Rossini’s tri-tenor “Otello” |
| 25 Sep 22 / Classical Review |
Black LodgeOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 2 | 
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A brief stay in purgatory with William S Burroughs and David Lynch |
| 6 Oct 22 / Bachtrack |
Opera Philadelphia’s deafening “Black Lodge” mix upends world premiere |
| 4 Oct 22 / Classical Review |
The RavenOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
As ‘The Raven’ flies |
| 27 Sep 22 / parterre box |
Opera Philadelphia makes a strong case for Hosokawa’s haunting “The Raven” |
| 23 Sep 22 / Classical Review |
E.A. Poe Illuminated |
| 23 Sep 22 / ConcertoNet (English) |
RigolettoOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
As the curtain fell on Opera Philadelphia’s Rigoletto, there were reasons to celebrate! |
| 13 May 22 / Seen and Heard |
Opera Philadelphia's darkly modern Rigoletto spotlights exciting young singers |
| 4 May 22 / Bachtrack |
Grand passion |
| 3 May 22 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
Opera returns to the Academy of Music with updated Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ in the ‘burbs |
| 1 May 22 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Oedipus RexOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Opera Philadelphia returns to live concerts with a curious double bill |
| 25 Jan 22 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Opera Philadelphia returns to Broad Street in an awkward homecoming |
| 25 Jan 22 / Bachtrack |
I want your Rex |
| 25 Jan 22 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
Double-bill from Opera Philadelphia of Walker’s Lilacs and Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex |
| 24 Jan 22 / Seen and Heard |
ToscaOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Opera Philadelphia takes the leap into live opera with The Drama of Tosca |
| 8 May 21 / Seen and Heard |
Opera Philadelphia’s abbreviated ‘Tosca’ at the Mann seems like old times |
| 7 May 21 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Soldier SongsOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Seeking humanity amid operas that wax humanitarian |
| 13 Feb 21 / Classical Voice North America |
David T. Little's chilling opera Soldier Songs is reinvented for Opera Philadelphia film |
| 25 Jan 21 / Broadway World |
The fearless ‘Soldier Songs’ is a standout achievement among COVID-19-era shows |
| 25 Jan 21 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
more reviews [+]
One little soldier |
| 25 Jan 21 / parterre box |
With Soldier Songs, Opera Philadelphia explores the lingering trauma of war |
| 23 Jan 21 / Bachtrack |
SemeleOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
James Darrah’s Semele in Philadelphia: a revelatory blend of depth and brilliance |
| 11 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
A musical treat |
| 29 Sep 19 / The Opera Critic |
Handel’s “Semele” excels with Amanda Forsythe, Daniela Mack and Alek Shrader |
| 28 Sep 19 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
Amanda Forsythe a truly overwhelming Semele in Opera Philadelphia's Festival O |
| 25 Sep 19 / Bachtrack |
A festival adds to opera’s soaring body count |
| 24 Sep 19 / New York Times |
Fiery, full-throated Semele |
| 23 Sep 19 / Opera Today |
Opera Philadelphia’s ‘Semele’ is an embarrassment of richness in its vocal work, could use some decluttering stagewise |
| 21 Sep 19 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Denis & KatyaOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Star-crossed pairings in “Porgy and Bess” and “Denis & Katya" |
| 8 Oct 19 / The New Yorker |
The immortality code: death, transfiguration, and arias at opera Philadelphia’s O19 |
| 7 Oct 19 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Philip Venables’ compelling opera premieres at Festival O19 |
| 3 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
A unique insight into a real-life incident |
| 29 Sep 19 / The Opera Critic |
Total ellipse |
| 24 Sep 19 / parterre box |
Edgy, haunting Denis & Katya |
| 21 Sep 19 / Opera Today |
Philip Venables’s work uses slender resources to tell a troubling real-life story |
| 20 Sep 19 / Financial Times |
O19 opens with game-changing world premiere of ‘Denis & Katya’ |
| 20 Sep 19 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
The world premiere of Denis & Katya at Opera Philadelphia |
| 20 Sep 19 / Broadway World |
Let Me DieOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
The immortality code: death, transfiguration, and arias at opera Philadelphia’s O19 |
| 7 Oct 19 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
A death a minute in Let Me Die at Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O19 |
| 2 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
The Love for Three OrangesOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Delightful, effervescent and so much fun |
| 5 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
Oranges--Opera Philadelphia's O19 shows us what the difference is |
| 30 Sep 19 / Broadway World |
Opera Philadelphia’s richly melodic, laugh-filled “Love for Three Oranges” |
| 28 Sep 19 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
It is hard to imagine a more animated, engaging, and musically accomplished night |
| 25 Sep 19 / Opera Today |
Prokofiev's commedia dell’arte showpiece in Philadelphia |
| 25 Sep 19 / Bachtrack |
A Festival adds to opera’s soaring body count |
| 24 Sep 19 / New York Times |
Tales of the citrus |
| 24 Sep 19 / parterre box |
Riders to the SeaOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 4 | 
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Curtis Opera Theatre presents powerful Vaughan Williams and Orth double bill |
| 13 May 19 / Seen and Heard |
Vaughan Williams and Orth picture death in the family |
| 10 May 19 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Riding on empty |
| 7 May 19 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
Vaughn Williams’s music is wonderfully dirge-like and grim |
| 6 May 19 / Phindie |
Empty the HouseOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 4 | 
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Curtis Opera Theatre presents powerful Vaughan Williams and Orth double bill |
| 13 May 19 / Seen and Heard |
Vaughan Williams and Orth picture death in the family |
| 10 May 19 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Riding on empty |
| 7 May 19 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
A work with tragic overtones |
| 6 May 19 / Phindie |
La bohèmeOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Young lovers take flight and soar in Opera Philadelphia’s La bohème |
| 6 May 19 / Seen and Heard |
Opera Philadelphia decorates La bohème with Impressionist art |
| 30 Apr 19 / Bachtrack |
Pigment of the imagination |
| 29 Apr 19 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
Art imitates life in La bohème at Opera Philadelphia |
| 29 Apr 19 / Broadway World |
In Opera Philadelphia’s new ‘La boheme,’ the Barnes and Art Museum have starring roles |
| 28 Apr 19 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Don GiovanniOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Contrasting approaches to Mozart |
| 1 Apr 19 / The Opera Critic |
A Midsummer Night's DreamOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Opera Philadelphia and Britten’s Dream: magical enough, if not inspired |
| 18 Feb 19 / Seen and Heard |
Opera Philadelphia’s “Midsummer” is dreamy |
| 17 Feb 19 / Out In Jersey |
A magical Midsummer Night's Dream |
| 17 Feb 19 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
From Mechanicals to leaping Puck, a dream Dream |
| 16 Feb 19 / Classical Voice North America |
Operatic ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ claims an orbit of its own |
| 10 Feb 19 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Fairy magic and flying beds |
| 10 Feb 19 / Phindie |
Ne Quittez PasOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
A reimagined La voix humaine |
| 8 Oct 18 / The Opera Critic |
What a complicated evening |
| 2 Oct 18 / Phindie |
Reimagining Poulenc’s La voix humaine |
| 28 Sep 18 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
In Opera Philadelphia’s re-imagined La voix humaine, diva Patricia Racette had a tough “act” to follow |
| 26 Sep 18 / Opera Today |
Glass HandelOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Costanzo blasts off with Glass/Handel |
| 3 Oct 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
An extravagant evening of sensory sensations |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Opera Critic |
Anthony Roth Costanzo moves us — literally |
| 25 Sep 18 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
more reviews [+]
‘Lucia’ unvarnished, Handel unbound: Opera Philadelphia festival strikes again |
| 25 Sep 18 / Washington Post |
Anthony Roth Costanzo provided both accomplished vocal muscle and aesthetic savvy as a producer |
| 25 Sep 18 / Opera News |
Lucia di LammermoorOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Musical excellence is marred by a flawed production |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Opera Critic |
Mad about Lucia |
| 26 Sep 18 / Opera Today |
Brenda Rae is a stunning Lucia for Opera Philadelphia |
| 25 Sep 18 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
‘Lucia’ unvarnished, Handel unbound: Opera Philadelphia festival strikes again |
| 25 Sep 18 / Washington Post |
Opera Philadelphia disappoints with an uninspiring rendition of Lucia di Lammermoor |
| 23 Sep 18 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Sky on SwingsOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Love in the time of Alzheimer’s |
| 26 Sep 18 / Seen and Heard |
Sky on Swings: a heart-wrenching world première at Opera Philadelphia |
| 25 Sep 18 / Bachtrack |
Unsettling, riveting Sky on Swings |
| 24 Sep 18 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
A compelling vision of two women with Alzheimer’s |
| 23 Sep 18 / The Opera Critic |
‘Sky on Swings,’ the Alzheimer’s opera, opens O18 festival with a winner |
| 23 Sep 18 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
Alzheimer's opera 'Sky on Swings' opens in Philadelphia |
| 22 Sep 18 / Associated Press |
CarmenOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Daniela Mack sizzles as Carmen for Opera Philadelphia |
| 8 May 18 / Seen and Heard |
Opera Philadelphia closes season with triumphant 'Carmen' |
| 6 May 18 / The Philadelphia Tribune |
A new Carmen, colorful but tame |
| 3 May 18 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Billboards, red dresses and a green balloon |
| 1 May 18 / Bachtrack |
A visually provocative, well-cast production |
| 29 Apr 18 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
A Quiet PlaceOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Making the case for Bernstein’s A Quiet Place |
| 19 Mar 18 / Seen and Heard |
This chamber version of A Quiet Place still packs an emotional punch |
| 14 Mar 18 / The Opera Critic |
Written on SkinOpera PhiladelphiaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Benjamin’s contemporary opera of uncertain aim and reach |
| 23 Feb 18 / Seen and Heard |
A superb production of George Benjamin’s Written on Skin |
| 21 Feb 18 / Seen and Heard |
Sex, angels and cannibalism |
| 20 Feb 18 / Bachtrack |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Puccini
26 Apr to 5 May 2024
Mazzoli
25 to 29 Sep 2024
Bologne
31 Jan to 2 Feb 2025
Mozart
25 Apr to 4 May 2025
News & Articles
| Opera Philadelphia announces its 2024-25 season |
Opera Philadelphia’s 2024-25 season to feature works by Missy Mazzoli, Joseph Bologne and Mozart. |
| 14 Feb 2024 / OperaWire |
| Changes at Opera Philadelphia |
Opera Philadelphia to reduce staff, cut budget by 20%, and David Devan is stepping down with audiences and philanthropy not having materialized post-pandemic as once expected. |
| 16 Aug 2023 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
| Opera Philadelphia announces program celebrating Ruth Bader Ginsburg |
The program features performances by Joshua Blue (tenor), Norman Garrett (baritone), Michelle Rice (soprano), and Ashley Marie Robillard (soprano). |
| 20 Feb 2021 / Broadway World |
| Opera Philadelphia’s Channel launched |
Lisette Oropesa’s ‘Traviata’ is a highlight of Opera Philadelphia’s new channel. |
| 15 Nov 2020 / New York Observer |
| Opera Philadelphia cancels O20 Festival |
In addition the company will postpone or move online all but one of the live productions it originally planned for the 2020-21 season. |
| 29 Jul 2020 / Philadelphia Inquirer |
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