Washington National Opera - Washington | 25 January 2021 |
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Performance reviews
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Samson et DalilaWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
The pagans have more fun in WNO's Samson and Delilah |
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WNO's Samson et Dalila shows how sweet love's poison can sound |
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‘Samson and Delilah’ has old-school opera style and strengths |
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Modern technicals make this rarely seen story “an opera for the senses” |
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Bridges’ blazing WNO debut leads an excellent cast and vibrant production in “Samson et Dalila” |
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Don GiovanniWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
WNO delivers fine singing, #MeToo overtones in “Don Giovanni” |
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WNO’s new ‘Don Giovanni’ is a monster that feels timely without trying |
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A #metoo Don Giovanni at Washington National Opera |
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Why set it in an office building? |
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Three 20-minute operasWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Three new operas showcased in WNO’s AOI Festival 2020. Is the development process working? |
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WNO’s American Opera Initiative serves up an intriguing trio of new works |
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Die ZauberflöteWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Truly conveys the power of music and its magic notes |
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Mozart’s whimsical The Magic Flute from Washington National Opera |
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A tempting proposition for first-timers and opera-buffs alike |
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A seamless ‘Magic Flute’ at Washington National Opera |
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Washington National Opera's merry take on Mozart's Magic Flute |
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WNO serves up inspired singing and whimsy in colorful “Magic Flute” |
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Maurice Sendak’s ‘Magic Flute’ brings storybook flair — and familiarity — to WNO |
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OtelloWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
General, not specific |
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Russell Thomas shines in David Alden's gloomy Otello staging in Washington DC |
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The staging was both visually bland and, at times, logically inconsistent |
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WNO’s “Otello” gets the job done despite staging distractions |
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ToscaWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() |
“To be natural is such a very difficult pose to keep up” |
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WNO’s Tosca delivers its heroine and famous arias with atmosphere and intimacy |
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Grand Opera as Suspense Thriller at the Kennedy Center |
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Washington National Opera's latest Tosca is more graceful and memorable than most |
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A not-too-shabby shocker |
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Washington National Opera's splendid Tosca |
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Latonia Moore makes blazing WNO debut in second-cast “Tosca” |
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WNO wraps season with a visually sumptuous, dramatically tepid “Tosca” |
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Eugene OneginWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
In Washington, DC: Onegin — opera or not? |
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With Faust and Eugene Onegin, the Washington National Opera celebrates country living |
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The Washington National Opera's lovely, affecting "Eugene Onegin" offers a rare Russian treat |
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Eugene Onegin features a Tatiana for our times |
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Anna Nechaeva makes a powerful U.S. debut in WNO’s “Eugene Onegin” |
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FaustWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
With Faust and Eugene Onegin, the Washington National Opera celebrates country living |
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An old-fashioned charmer enhanced by an artistic eye, the WNO's Faust gives the Devil his due |
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Washington National Opera's Faust is a devilishly good time |
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For Washington National Opera, Faust is in the house |
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Stellar playing but less-than-stellar singing in DC |
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Colorful staging lifts mixed vocalism in WNO’s “Faust” |
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Three 20-minute operasWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
Dogs, snakes and piccolos: New operas take WNO stage |
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Taking Up SerpentsWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
World premiere one-hour opera Taking up Serpents at the Kennedy Center |
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Dogs, snakes and piccolos: New operas take WNO stage |
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The Lion, the Unicorn, and MeWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Washington National Opera’s annual holiday treat |
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WNO revives underwhelming “Lion, Unicorn, and Me” for holiday season |
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Silent NightWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
A World War I ceasefire comes to the stage in WNO's Silent Night |
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Silent Night is a shattering indictment of the futility and waste of war |
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Conductor Nicole Paiement balances steely expressiveness with sentimental lyricism |
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Washington National Opera's Silent Night is a timely tribute to veterans |
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War is hell, and other original insights: ‘Silent Night’ at the opera |
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La TraviataWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
Venera Gimadieva leads a moving Traviata in DC |
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Washington National Opera gives La traviata a cinematic feel |
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Zambello’s La traviata shows it sometimes pays to stick around after the interval |
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The Washington National Opera's La Traviata is an exquisite revival |
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An exciting new “Traviata” opens WNO season on high note |
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Washington National Opera appeases traditionalists with a safe ‘Traviata’ |
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Enjoyable and worthy of the organization’s talents |
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CandideWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
Washington National Opera's Candide sees the glass as half-full |
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Give ’em Hellman |
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Undiminished optimism from Voltaire and Bernstein |
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Whether or not Candide is your taste, it is a fine show |
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Glorious with a bit more bite |
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The show is well beloved and accessible |
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Opera’s quest for optimism: WNO takes on ‘Candide’ |
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Il barbiere di SivigliaWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
A frenetically captivating musical dreamscape of schemers, clowns, and romantic lovers |
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Moldavian baritone, Andrey Zhilikhovsky, has made a take-notice WNO debut |
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WNO’s delightfully witty adaptation of Rossini’s time-honored classic left a smile on the face of every listener |
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Washington National Opera's latest staging of "The Barber of Seville" is, in a word, fantastic |
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Washington National Opera opens zany “Barber of Seville” |
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Don CarloWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | ![]() ![]() |
Musically resplendent Don Carlo in Washington |
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Family values |
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World class Verdi singing |
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If you come to "Don Carlo" just to listen to the singing, you won't be disappointed |
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An impressive production of Verdi's questionable classic |
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Great voices and a brilliant, fatalist production make Verdi masterwork more relevant than ever |
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A production of Don Carlo full of the sorrows that signify the human condition |
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A convincing musical success, if a bit visually underwhelming |
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Pared down and dumbed down, ‘Don Carlo’ still dazzles at the Kennedy Center |
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Strong singing and conducting make for a gripping “Don Carlo” at Washington National Opera |
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Russell Thomas
Tenor Russell Thomas is breaking down operatic barriers with confidence.
Tenor Russell Thomas is breaking down operatic barriers with confidence.
Three 20-minute operasWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Opera has a promising future, judging by this past weekend’s plethora of riches |
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Composers and librettists were the stars at The Kennedy Center's triple world premiere |
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WNO’s new operas offer mixed takes on the American experience |
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Proving UpWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Little house on the scary |
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The American Dream as American nightmare: An opera for our time |
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Missy Mazzoli deconstructs the American Dream in bracing WNO premiere |
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The Little PrinceWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Is WNO’s The Little Prince too sophisticated for children? |
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The principal cast dives into their roles with enthusiasm and flair |
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Superb cast makes WNO’s “Little Prince” a spirited and touching holiday treat |
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AlcinaWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
Angela Meade plays the title roll beautifully |
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Girl power |
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WNO’s Alcina casts its spell at The Kennedy Center |
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Angela Meade sings the title role with the complete professionalism and vocal control |
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Washington National Opera goes for Baroque with a radiant “Alcina” |
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Strong women take the lead in Washington National Opera’s ‘Alcina’ |
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AidaWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() ![]() |
A vocally splendid but confused Aida |
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…inspired moments…beautiful choreography… |
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Aida's confusing staging is offset by powerful sopranos and grand production |
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Graffiti meets Nefertiti |
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Verdi’s soaring yet sensitive music pervades this production |
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Celeste graffiti |
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Aida is a visual and auditory sensation at the Kennedy Center |
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Second cast delivers the Verdian goods in WNO “Aida” |
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Stunning grand opera |
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An ‘Aida’ that aspires to give street cred to grandiosity |
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Fine singing vies with baffling production in WNO’s militaristic “Aida” |
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associated articles [+]
A street artist tries opera
This legendary street artist, Retna, has done walls, shoes and Bieber albums. Now he’s trying opera.
This legendary street artist, Retna, has done walls, shoes and Bieber albums. Now he’s trying opera.
Madama ButterflyWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Une Butterfly haute en couleur |
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Une Butterfly haute en couleur |
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Madama Butterfly an aesthetic treat at Washington National Opera |
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A bright and moving ‘Butterfly’ comes to WNO |
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AriodanteWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
Joyce DiDonato’s star turn in ‘Ariodante’ is as good as everyone hoped it would be |
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ChampionWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
Terence Blanchard's jazz opera Champion comes out swinging and delivers some powerful punches |
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Go see “Champion,” embrace the modernity of the opera… |
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At Washington National Opera: Griffith vs. Paret |
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In pursuit of a more diverse night at the opera |
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Washington National Opera's Champion isn't a total knockout, but it's a worthy endeavor |
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What Cristofer’s Champion leaves out from Emile Griffith’s deadly seven seconds in the ring |
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Opera in Jazz: Terence Blanchard's Champion in Washington DC |
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WNO’s musically lightweight “Champion,” more theater than opera |
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Dead Man WalkingWashington National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
Dead Man Walking in Washington DC an unforgettable emotional experience |
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News & Articles
Kennedy Center cancels spring season |
The Center also announced that the Washington National Opera’s spring productions and much of the late spring and early summer touring theater programs have been canceled. |
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Washington National Opera announces revised 2020-21 season |
The new 2020-21 season will include an innovative mix of virtual performances and small-scale live performances, culminating in May and July with two mainstage productions. |
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Domingo's name removed from Washington Opera program |
Plácido Domingo's name has been removed from the Washington National Opera's young artist program “in light of recent developments,” the opera house announced. |
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Washington National Opera announces American opera initiative |
This year, the initiative will present three world premieres on Jan. 10, 2020, in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. |
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Washington National Opera extends Francesca Zambello’s contract |
The famed director has extended her contract as Artistic Director for three more years following a unanimous vote by the WNO Board of Trustees. |
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