| Seattle Opera - Seattle | 23 September 2018 |
click here for a gallery of photos from recent productions
click here for more photos for
Click below forproduction trailers
Porgy and Bess
Aida
Beatrice et Benedict
Così fan tutte
Il barbiere di Siviglia
You've been granted free access to this page.
Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.
Free access
Performance reviews
| Key | 
Photo gallery
|
Production details
|
Video link
|
Porgy and BessSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
The staging was not only ugly to look at but ill-serving of the work itself |
 27 Aug 18 / Opera Today |
Catfish Row northwest |
| 18 Aug 18 / Oregon Artswatch |
A brilliant cast breaks through stereotypes in Seattle Opera’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ |
| 16 Aug 18 / The Seattle Times |
more reviews [+]
Seattle Opera's Porgy and Bess is a vocal and dramatic stunner |
| 14 Aug 18 / Bachtrack |
AidaSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Bravo sul podio John Fiore |
| 28 May 18 / Operaclick (Ita) |
Aida in Seattle: don’t mention the war! |
| 22 May 18 / Opera Today |
A visually stunning Aida at Seattle Opera |
| 11 May 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
A lavishly Zambellished ‘Aida’ skimps on Egypt |
| 9 May 18 / The Sun Break |
Seattle Opera presents a spectacular “Aida” |
| 8 May 18 / The Seattle Times |
Beatrice et BenedictSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Seattle Opera’s brilliant “Beatrice and Benedict” |
| 3 Mar 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Seattle Opera reinvents Berlioz’ opera |
| 3 Mar 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Seattle Opera's 'Beatrice and Benedict,' entertaining, if not perfect |
| 1 Mar 18 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
more reviews [+]
Seattle Opera, with help of a few friends, presents opera-play hybrid ‘Beatrice and Benedict’ |
| 27 Feb 18 / The Seattle Times |
Seattle Opera gives Berlioz’ ‘Beatrice and Benedict’ the ‘director’s cut’ treatment |
| 27 Feb 18 / The Sun Break |
Così fan tutteSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
La stagione operistica di Seattle prosegue con un provocatorio allestimento di Cosi fan tutte |
| 6 Feb 18 / Operaclick (Ita) |
Seattle Opera’s latest take on Mozart trades cheap laughs for real depth |
| 25 Jan 18 / Seattle Weekly |
Seattle Opera sets a new low with its repulsive "Cosi fan tutte" |
| 25 Jan 18 / Vanguard Seattle |
more reviews [+]
Identity crisis - Seattle Opera's production reveals that Mozart's comic opera is about more than sex |
| 23 Jan 18 / Oregon Artswatch |
Jonathan Miller’s “Così” strikes gold again |
| 22 Jan 18 / Opera Today |
A crowd-pleasing alternate cast |
| 20 Jan 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Costa-Jackson sisters lead convincing cast |
| 20 Jan 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Seattle Opera's 'Così fan tutte' hits the right notes |
| 17 Jan 18 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
Seattle Opera puts a zesty 21st century spin on ‘Cosi fan tutte’ |
| 16 Jan 18 / The Seattle Times |
Il barbiere di SivigliaSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Modern opera buffa |
| 2 Nov 17 / The Huffington Post |
A particularly comical, colorful, and cartoonish “The Barber of Seville” |
| 20 Oct 17 / The Daily |
Seattle Opera’s “Barber” is a hoot |
| 18 Oct 17 / Seattle Post-Intelligencer |
more reviews [+]
Seattle Opera's Barber of Seville stars the secret love child of Prince and Jim Morrison |
| 17 Oct 17 / The Stranger |
Seattle Opera offers an action-packed ‘Barber of Seville’ |
| 17 Oct 17 / The Seattle Times |
Madama ButterflySeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
La Haroutounian, alla sua prima apparizione a Seattle, ha riscosso un buon successo |
| 22 Aug 17 / Operaclick (Ita) |
Puccini's problematic Madame Butterfly |
| 12 Aug 17 / The Stranger |
A transcendent “Butterfly” at Seattle Opera |
| 9 Aug 17 / Seattle Post-Intelligencer |
more reviews [+]
A controversial culture clash |
| 9 Aug 17 / The Daily |
A production rich with unforgettable moments |
| 9 Aug 17 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
Seattle Opera’s ‘Madame Butterfly’ packs an emotional punch |
| 8 Aug 17 / The Seattle Times |
Trying to rethink Madama Butterfly at Seattle Opera |
| 8 Aug 17 / Bachtrack |
Seattle creates magic in opening night Madame Butterfly |
| 7 Aug 17 / Broadway World |
Die ZauberflöteSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Magic Flute zips, but also overruns spirit Of Mozart |
| 21 Jun 17 / Classical Voice North America |
Debutto con successo per Christina Poulitsi |
| 22 May 17 / Operaclick (Ita) |
A whimsical adventure where love and friendship conquer hate and ‘fake news’ |
| 15 May 17 / The Daily |
more reviews [+]
Seattle Opera successfully infuses Mozart's The Magic Flute with Trump-world commentary |
| 13 May 17 / The Stranger |
A magical “Magic Flute” |
| 12 May 17 / Seattle Post-Intelligencer |
A Spellbinding 'Magic Flute' at Seattle Opera |
| 11 May 17 / City Arts Online |
Seattle Opera's Magic Flute as enchanting as ever |
| 9 May 17 / Bachtrack |
Seattle Opera’s ‘Magic Flute’ is a delight for the eyes and the ears |
| 9 May 17 / The Seattle Times |
Il combattimento di Tancredi e ClorindaSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | 
| |
La Seattle Opera saca la artillería barroca para hablar de intolerancia |
| 12 Apr 17 / Opera World (Spanish) |
In Seattle Opera's must-see, immersive show, The Combat, Muslims and Christians make love and war |
| 5 Apr 17 / The Stranger |
Seattle Opera’s ‘The Combat’ brings tragic love story right to the audience |
| 3 Apr 17 / The Seattle Times |
Kat'a KabanovaSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Káťa Kabanová in its Seattle début |
| 20 Mar 17 / Opera Today |
Seattle Opera psychodrama – Melody Moore’s magnificent Katya Kabanova |
| 18 Mar 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Corinne Winters’ searing performance as Seattle Opera’s Katya Kabanova |
| 18 Mar 17 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
Tragic thrills |
| 6 Mar 17 / Oregon Artswatch |
Seattle Opera’s stark American tragedy |
| 4 Mar 17 / Seattle Weekly |
Opera's 'Katya Kabanova' packs potent visceral punch |
| 1 Mar 17 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
Los cantantes salvan la Katia Kabanova de la Ópera de Seattle |
| 1 Mar 17 / Opera World (Spanish) |
This Katya Kabanova is slow going and not the most effective way to engage new audiences |
| 28 Feb 17 / Seattle Post-Intelligencer |
A searing ‘Katya Kabanova’ on the Seattle Opera stage |
| 27 Feb 17 / The Seattle Times |
La TraviataSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Per la prima volta sul podio di Seattle, Stefano Ranzani ha diretto con grande sensibilità |
| 7 Feb 17 / Operaclick (Ita) |
This Traviata doesn’t meet the ambitions declared for the company by its director and board |
| 27 Jan 17 / Opera Today |
Another minimalist set design from Seattle Opera |
| 25 Jan 17 / The Daily |
more reviews [+]
A fast-paced ‘Traviata’ for today at Seattle Opera |
| 20 Jan 17 / The Sun Break |
Seattle Opera leaves Verdi unsettled |
| 19 Jan 17 / Seattle Weekly |
A travesty of “Traviata” at Seattle Opera |
| 18 Jan 17 / Seattle Post-Intelligencer |
La Traviata adulterada de Peter Konwitschny llega a Seattle. Y triunfa |
| 18 Jan 17 / Opera World (Spanish) |
Two Violettas in 24 hours: Seattle Opera fields double-casts in Konwitschny's Traviata |
| 17 Jan 17 / Bachtrack |
Seattle Opera's La Traviata challenges "decency" in an indecent society |
| 17 Jan 17 / The Stranger |
At Seattle Opera, a much different look at ‘La traviata’ |
| 17 Jan 17 / The Seattle Times |
Hansel und GretelSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Hansel y Gretel en Seattle, una inesperada novedad |
| 26 Oct 16 / Opera World (Spanish) |
At Seattle Opera’s Hansel and Gretel, let the buyer beware |
| 22 Oct 16 / Seattle Weekly |
An open letter to the nasty lady at ‘Hansel and Gretel’ |
| 20 Oct 16 / The News Tribune |
more reviews [+]
Sasha Cooke as Hansel and Ashley Emerson as Gretel are an adorable duo |
| 20 Oct 16 / The Daily |
Laurent Pelly's cautionary fairy-tale |
| 20 Oct 16 / Bachtrack |
A fun and feisty trip through the woods |
| 18 Oct 16 / The Seattle Times |
Le Comte OrySeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Le Comte Ory y Lawrence Brownlee abren la temporada en la Ópera de Seattle |
| 24 Aug 16 / Opera World (Spanish) |
Le Comte Ory di Gioacchino Rossini andato in scena a Seattle ha inaugurato la nuova stagione |
| 16 Aug 16 / Operaclick (Ita) |
Giacomo Rossini’s gender fluid Count Ory explores lust and sex at the Seattle Opera |
| 11 Aug 16 / The Stranger |
more reviews [+]
Musicianship alone can’t pull off a staging with so many inherent obstacles to success |
| 10 Aug 16 / Opera Today |
Seattle Opera’s spicy comedy is second to nun |
| 10 Aug 16 / Seattle Weekly |
Seattle Opera’s ‘Count Ory’ bubbles with vibrant visuals, sensational singing |
| 9 Aug 16 / The Seattle Times |
Der Fliegende HolländerSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Greer Grimsley, as The Dutchman, created some electrifying moments |
| 27 May 16 / National Business Review |
Buona la prova dell’orchestra, incisiva nel suono e ricca nella tavolozza timbrica |
| 16 May 16 / Operaclick (Ita) |
Seattle Opera's 'Dutchman' doesn't disappoint |
| 11 May 16 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
more reviews [+]
Seattle Opera’s ‘Flying Dutchman’ unleashes gloriously perfect storm |
| 10 May 16 / The Seattle Times |
“It was a dark and stormy night”: Seattle Opera's intensely riveting Flying Dutchman explodes the cliches |
| 10 May 16 / Bachtrack |
Maria StuardaSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Donizetti fever rages on from coast to coast |
| 12 Mar 16 / Bachtrack |
Seattle Opera wins with a pair of queens |
| 9 Mar 16 / Seattle Weekly |
Successo pieno e pubblico sedotto dalla bravura del cast |
| 7 Mar 16 / Operaclick (Ita) |
more reviews [+]
Brava! Sopranos face off as feisty queens in a fiery ‘Mary Stuart’ |
| 2 Mar 16 / The Seattle Times |
associated articles [+]
Seattle Opera receives $30,000
Seattle Opera has received a $30,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in support of the February, 2016 production of Donizetti's Mary Stuart.
Seattle Opera has received a $30,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in support of the February, 2016 production of Donizetti's Mary Stuart.
Le nozze di FigaroSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Roaring laughter and applause rang throughout Seattle Opera’s performance |
| 26 Jan 16 / The Daily |
Vibrant production of Mozart’s opera about changing times signals the company’s changing of the guard |
| 23 Jan 16 / Oregon Artswatch |
Buono il cast femminile |
| 22 Jan 16 / Operaclick (Ita) |
more reviews [+]
Figaro was right at home in the Pacific Northwest |
| 21 Jan 16 / Opera News |
Seattle Opera embraces comedy, physicality of ‘Figaro’ |
| 21 Jan 16 / City Living Seattle |
Seattle Opera embraces comedy, physicality of ‘Figaro’ |
| 20 Jan 16 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
Arresting aristos make for a fine Figaro in Seattle |
| 19 Jan 16 / Bachtrack |
Madcap Mozart at its best |
| 18 Jan 16 / The Seattle Times |
associated articles [+]
Chat with soprano Nuccia Focile
Sicilian soprano Nuccia Focile shares her perspective on interpreting the role of the maid Susanna in Mozart's opera Marriage of Figaro during an interview conducted while she was in Seattle.
Sicilian soprano Nuccia Focile shares her perspective on interpreting the role of the maid Susanna in Mozart's opera Marriage of Figaro during an interview conducted while she was in Seattle.
Les pêcheurs de perlesSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Seattle Opera stages a dynamic ‘Pearl Fishers’ |
| 27 Oct 15 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
The melody in The Pearl Fishers is so brilliant |
| 21 Oct 15 / The Stranger |
Seattle Opera’s luminous and vital ‘Pearl Fishers’ |
| 20 Oct 15 / The Seattle Times |
more reviews [+]
A visual & auditory spectacular that captivates from beginning to closing curtain |
| 20 Oct 15 / The Huffington Post |
Rough Pearl: Seattle Opera’s Pearl Fishers nearly hits the mark |
| 19 Oct 15 / Bachtrack |
NabuccoSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A pared-down Verdi at Seattle Opera |
| 20 Aug 15 / Seattle Weekly |
Seattle Opera succeeds in giving this early and rarely performed Verdi piece the stylistic edge it needs |
| 13 Aug 15 / The Daily |
Seattle Opera’s ‘Nabucco’ gives ‘more visceral impact’ |
| 12 Aug 15 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
more reviews [+]
Seattle Nabucco aims for innovation but falls flat |
| 11 Aug 15 / Bachtrack |
An old story, told in a new way |
| 11 Aug 15 / The Seattle Times |
Seattle Opera's full-throated 'Nabucco' powers past its awkward staging |
| 11 Aug 15 / The Sun Break |
Ariadne auf NaxosSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Buffing the buffa in Ariadne |
| 19 May 15 / Bachtrack |
Seattle Opera's Ariadne auf Naxos sparkles |
| 12 May 15 / Northwest Reverb |
Richard Strauss’ meta-opera does and doesn’t work today |
| 6 May 15 / Seattle Weekly |
more reviews [+]
You’d like to be marooned with this cast |
| 4 May 15 / The Seattle Times |
SemeleSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Singing trumps spectacle at Seattle Opera |
| 4 Mar 15 / Seattle Weekly |
‘Semele’ is a sensuous feast for eyes, ears |
| 26 Feb 15 / The Seattle Times |
Tech-heavy ‘Semele’ a sight to experience |
| 25 Feb 15 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
more reviews [+]
Così Semele, Brenda Rae, è una bella, giovane ambiziosa e passionale mortale, innamorata di Jupiter, Alek Shrader |
| 24 Feb 15 / Operaclick (Ita) |
A ravishingly entertaining Semele alights in Seattle |
| 24 Feb 15 / Bachtrack |
ToscaSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Un solido cast e una scenografia ricca e sontuosa |
| 27 Jan 15 / Operaclick (Ita) |
Performances propel ‘Tosca’ to near-perfection |
| 14 Jan 15 / Queen Anne & Magnolia News |
Die, Scarpia, die! |
| 14 Jan 15 / Seattle Weekly |
more reviews [+]
Things we do for love: A barn-burning ‘Tosca’ at Seattle Opera |
| 14 Jan 15 / The Seattle Times |
Don GiovanniSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
The Rake's revels: Don Giovanni parties it up in Seattle |
| 28 Oct 14 / Bachtrack |
Don Giovanni reprisal improves on 2007 production |
| 23 Oct 14 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Seattle Opera’s new Don Giovanni aims for laughs, not to harass |
| 22 Oct 14 / Seattle Weekly |
more reviews [+]
A dashing ‘Don Giovanni’ |
| 21 Oct 14 / The Seattle Times |
A morally reckless 'Don Giovanni' says less about the opera's new director than the meaning of art and politics |
| 21 Oct 14 / Crosscut |
Les Contes d'HoffmannSeattle OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
An operatic delight |
| 17 May 14 / The Sun Break |
Seattle Opera
Seattle
Seattle
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Britten
13 to 27 Oct 2018
Verdi
12 to 26 Jan 2019
Bates
23 Feb to 9 Mar 2019
Bizet
4 to 18 May 2019
News & Articles
| Seattle Opera head Aidan Lang to step down in 2019 |
Seattle Opera General Director Aidan Lang is leaving at the end of the 2018-19 season — his fifth year here — to become general director of the Welsh National Opera. |
| 7 Sep 2018 / The Seattle Times |
| Seattle Opera has big plans for its new headquarters |
Seattle Opera’s glass-clad, $60 million headquarters at Seattle Center, which the company plans to move into this fall, is representative of how it hopes to invite the public behind the scenes of one of the mos |
| 16 Feb 2018 / The Seattle Times |
| Seattle Opera announces its 2018-19 season |
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Porgy and Bess and more lead Seattle Opera's season. |
| 3 Jan 2018 / Broadway World |
| Steve Jobs opera to be co-commissioned |
Seattle Opera and San Francisco Opera sign on as co-commissioners of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. |
| 10 May 2017 / Opera News |
| Seattle Opera’s 2017-18 season announced |
The mainstage season will comprise Madame Butterfly, Cosi fan Tutti, Beatrice and Benedict ,Aida and The Barber of Seville; with plans for a bilingual production for kids and a free outdoor show. |
| 3 Jan 2017 / The Seattle Times |
 |