| Glimmerglass Festival - Cooperstown | 1 December 2023 |
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La bohème
The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson
Die Zauberflöte
Blue
The Ghosts of Versailles
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Performance reviews
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CandideGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Musically stunning, witty, wacky Candide at Glimmerglass |
 28 Aug 23 / Classics Today |
Broadway on the Lake |
| 3 Aug 23 / ConcertoNet (French) |
Brian Vu and Meredith Arwady shine in Glimmerglass Candide |
| 13 Jul 23 / Bachtrack |
RinaldoGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Amour, guerre et rédemption |
| 3 Aug 23 / ConcertoNet (French) |
Child's play: inventive, moving Rinaldo at Glimmerglass |
| 3 Aug 23 / Bachtrack |
Roméo et JulietteGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Ardent Roméo |
| 3 Aug 23 / ConcertoNet (French) |
Timely and timeless: Simon Godwin directs Gounod's Roméo et Juliette at Glimmerglass |
| 2 Aug 23 / Bachtrack |
La bohèmeGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Opéra fétiche |
| 3 Aug 23 / ConcertoNet (French) |
CarmenGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Visually striking, dramatically inconsistent |
| 21 Jul 22 / Bachtrack |
The Passion of Mary Cardwell DawsonGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Glimmerglass al fresco: opera as brew of sunny voices, dicey weather |
| 21 Aug 21 / Classical Voice North America |
At Glimmerglass, Denyce Graves summons the passion of an American opera visionary |
| 15 Aug 21 / Seen and Heard |
Il TrovatoreGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Glimmerglass al fresco: opera as brew of sunny voices, dicey weather |
| 21 Aug 21 / Classical Voice North America |
Latonia Moore, Gregory Kunde headline a creative undertaking of Verdi’s mid-period masterwork |
| 18 Aug 21 / OperaWire |
Azucena takes center stage in the Glimmerglass Festival's streamlined Trovatore |
| 10 Aug 21 / Bachtrack |
La PéricholeGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Glimmerglass al fresco: opera as brew of sunny voices, dicey weather |
| 21 Aug 21 / Classical Voice North America |
Isabel Leonard soars in Glimmerglass Festival's Songbird |
| 10 Aug 21 / Bachtrack |
‘Songbird’ vivacious, spellbinding at Glimmerglass on the Grass |
| 3 Aug 21 / Daily Gazette |
Die ZauberflöteGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Glimmerglass Opera is back with 'The Magic Flute' |
| 18 Jul 21 / Times Union |
Show BoatGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Glimmerglass’ Showboat sails to glory |
| 22 Aug 19 / Opera Today |
Show Boat keeps rollin’ along |
| 19 Jul 19 / ConcertoNet (English) |
La TraviataGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Glowing Verdi at Glimmerglass |
| 21 Aug 19 / Opera Today |
Quality singing in a setting with novel accents |
| 7 Aug 19 / Bachtrack |
Zambello’s Intriguing “Traviata” |
| 20 Jul 19 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
La Traviata makes the rounds to Glimmerglass |
| 19 Jul 19 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Adrian Timpau shines bright in fantastic production that features Amanda Woodbury and Kang Wang |
| 13 Jul 19 / OperaWire |
A stunning production visually |
| 10 Jul 19 / DC Theatre Scene |
The Queen of SpadesGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Francesca Zambello's staging was a miracle of invention |
| 20 Aug 19 / Opera Today |
BlueGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Blue diversifies Glimmerglass fare |
| 20 Aug 19 / Opera Today |
Glimmerglass lifts verismo mirror to American tragedy |
| 10 Aug 19 / Classical Voice North America |
Police violence reaches opera in ‘Blue’ |
| 3 Aug 19 / New York Times |
more reviews [+]
Am I Blue at Glimmerglass? You bet. |
| 3 Aug 19 / Broadway World |
A world premiere opera, ‘Blue,’ confronts the police shooting of a teenage boy |
| 25 Jul 19 / The Undefeated |
A story of America’s ongoing struggle with race |
| 20 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
Lushly melodic, dramatically persuasive |
| 20 Jul 19 / Opera Warhorses |
The struggle to stay alive is at the heart of “Blue” |
| 16 Jul 19 / Times Union |
Moody “blue” |
| 16 Jul 19 / parterre box |
The Ghosts of VersaillesGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Vibrant Versailles dazzles in upstate New York |
| 20 Aug 19 / Opera Today |
Glimmerglass mounts a splendid show |
| 8 Aug 19 / The Ithaca Journal |
Some guilty Ghosts |
| 3 Aug 19 / Broadway World |
more reviews [+]
Ghosts haunts Glimmerglass |
| 2 Aug 19 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Glimmerglass Festival has made a bold choice in re-mounting The Ghosts of Versailles |
| 27 Jul 19 / DC Theatre Scene |
An elegant new production of “Ghosts of Versailles”, |
| 20 Jul 19 / Opera Warhorses |
A splendid production of The Ghosts of Versailles premieres at Glimmerglass |
| 19 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
“The Ghosts of Versailles” happily jumps between worlds and styles |
| 16 Jul 19 / Times Union |
Glimmerglass resurrects The Ghosts of Versailles on the eve of Bastille Day |
| 16 Jul 19 / Bachtrack |
The Cunning Little VixenGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Glimmerglass Festival’s charming “Cunning Little Vixen” |
| 4 Aug 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Glimmerglass Vixen is a cunning take on a moral tale |
| 28 Jul 18 / Broadway World |
Lightning strikes twice – The Glimmerglass Festival’s Cunning Little Vixen is a winner |
| 27 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Eric Owens’ Forester the highlight of Glimmerglass' Cunning Little Vixen |
| 25 Jul 18 / Bachtrack |
The Cunning Little Vixen, opera for children at Glimmerglass Festival |
| 17 Jul 18 / DC Theatre Scene |
“Cunning Little Vixen” an enchanted visit to the woods at Glimmerglass |
| 9 Jul 18 / Times Union |
Silent NightGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Honoring those Who fought in the war to end all wars – The Glimmerglass Festival’s compelling Silent Night |
| 28 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
Even more moving the second time around |
| 25 Jul 18 / Broadway World |
In “Silent Night” war is ugly, music is beautiful |
| 17 Jul 18 / Times Union |
Il barbiere di SivigliaGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Zambello’s Zany “Barber of Seville” |
| 28 Jul 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Glimmerglass Festival’s Barber of Seville achieves lift off and soars |
| 25 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
Musical magic out of the blue at Glimmerglass’ “Barber” |
| 17 Jul 18 / Times Union |
West Side StoryGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Glimmerglass Festival’s dazzling “West Side Story”: youthful artistry, theatrical authenticity |
| 28 Jul 18 / Opera Warhorses |
Francesca Zambello directs West Side Story with a deft hand |
| 26 Jul 18 / Broadway World |
Jerome Robbins’ work is the real (and big!) deal |
| 17 Jul 18 / DC Theatre Scene |
L'assedio di CalaisGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | |
An exciting discovery |
| 6 Sep 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Rarely performed The Siege of Calais highlights New York’s Glimmerglass Festival |
| 3 Sep 17 / The Toronto Star |
Donizetti rarity given American première at Glimmerglass |
| 22 Aug 17 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Justice and music |
| 21 Aug 17 / The Huffington Post |
Francesca Zambello, Leah Crocetto & Aleks Romano make a great case for Donizetti’s forgotten work |
| 25 Jul 17 / OperaWire |
War beautifully sung in “The Siege of Calais” |
| 24 Jul 17 / Times Union |
A musically appealing, theatrically arresting “Siege of Calais” links Donizetti and Zambello |
| 22 Jul 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Glimmerglass Festival gives U.S. premiere of Donizetti’s ‘Siege of Calais’ |
| 19 Jul 17 / Blasting News |
Scalia/GinsburgGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Glimmerglass being judgmental |
| 24 Aug 17 / Opera Today |
XerxesGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Baroque romantic entanglements |
| 24 Aug 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Arias rise to the occasion at Glimmerglass |
| 9 Aug 17 / Syracuse New Times |
Tree for the show |
| 25 Jul 17 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
An elegantly performed Glimmerglass Festival “Xerxes” |
| 22 Jul 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Anchoring the uniformly strong cast is countertenor John Holiday, Jr. in the title role |
| 17 Jul 17 / Times Union |
OklahomaGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Director Molly Smith knew just how to best succeed at staging the evergreen classic Oklahoma! |
| 23 Aug 17 / Opera Today |
Glimmerglass Festival’s rip-roaring “Oklahoma” |
| 22 Jul 17 / Opera Warhorses |
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’ kicks up its heels |
| 16 Jul 17 / Blasting News |
Porgy and BessGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Glimmerglass’ Porgy a perfect grand opera version |
| 21 Aug 17 / Classics Today |
Arias rise to the occasion at Glimmerglass |
| 9 Aug 17 / Syracuse New Times |
Francesca Zambello’s Porgy and Bess successfully revived at Glimmerglass |
| 8 Aug 17 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
A strong and handsome evening of music and theater |
| 21 Jul 17 / WAMC |
Handsome and gripping “Porgy and Bess” at Glimmerglass |
| 17 Jul 17 / Times Union |
Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ wows, big-time |
| 16 Jul 17 / Blasting News |
'Porgy and Bess' show worth seeing |
| 9 Jul 17 / Times Union |
Sweeney ToddGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 9 | |
At Glimmerglass Festival, what was old can sound new again |
| 28 Aug 16 / The Toronto Star |
Greer Grimsley is ideal as Sweeney Todd |
| 20 Aug 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Blameless witches and a wicked barber |
| 17 Aug 16 / Wall Street Journal |
more reviews [+]
Greer Grimsley stars in Christopher Alden’s staging of “Sweeney Todd” |
| 13 Aug 16 / Opera Warhorses |
For the most part, this Sweeney Todd is both original and funny. Well played! |
| 3 Aug 16 / DC Theatre Scene |
Not playing it safe at Glimmerglass |
| 3 Aug 16 / Syracuse New Times |
When musicals become operas |
| 2 Aug 16 / Washington Post |
Not new, but darkly up-to-date |
| 26 Jul 16 / New York Times |
Just one more murder would have been nice. My vote for the final victim would be Christopher Alden |
| 15 Jul 16 / Times Union |
The CrucibleGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Powerful and perplexing |
| 20 Aug 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Blameless witches and a wicked barber |
| 17 Aug 16 / Wall Street Journal |
Mulligan, Barton, Zambello, Paiement make the case for “The Crucible” |
| 13 Aug 16 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
A moving and powerful production |
| 4 Aug 16 / DC Theatre Scene |
Glimmerglass Festival's opera of the Salem witch trials is mesmerizing |
| 2 Aug 16 / New York Upstate |
When musicals become operas |
| 2 Aug 16 / Washington Post |
Stirring music and drama |
| 27 Jul 16 / Times Union |
Not new, but darkly up-to-date |
| 26 Jul 16 / New York Times |
La gazza ladraGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Welcome to birdland |
| 20 Aug 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Gilmore, Angelini, Ngqungwana Take Flight in Rossini’s “Thieving Magpie” |
| 20 Aug 16 / Opera Warhorses |
Blameless witches and a wicked barber |
| 17 Aug 16 / Wall Street Journal |
more reviews [+]
Magic was missing in this production |
| 3 Aug 16 / DC Theatre Scene |
Not playing it safe at Glimmerglass |
| 3 Aug 16 / Syracuse New Times |
'The Thieving Magpie' sparkles at Glimmerglass Opera Festival |
| 20 Jul 16 / New York Upstate |
La bohèmeGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Blameless witches and a wicked barber |
| 17 Aug 16 / Wall Street Journal |
Still youthful at age 120 |
| 15 Aug 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
The Glimmerglass Festival mounts a youthful “La Boheme” |
| 13 Aug 16 / Opera Warhorses |
more reviews [+]
Nobody can deliver Puccini better than Glimmerglass |
| 3 Aug 16 / DC Theatre Scene |
A fresh, emotional experience |
| 21 Jul 16 / New York Upstate |
“Boheme” is grand and traditional at Glimmerglass |
| 10 Jul 16 / Times Union |
CandideGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Exuberance and dazzle |
| 5 Sep 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Glimmerglass season shines with vibrant vocal performances |
| 24 Aug 15 / Washington Post |
Vivaldi, Mozart and Bernstein in Cooperstown |
| 14 Aug 15 / The Toronto Star |
more reviews [+]
Bernstein’s Candide seems to have more performance versions than Tales of Hoffmann |
| 13 Aug 15 / Opera Today |
Celebrating 40 years |
| 4 Aug 15 / Wall Street Journal |
“One must be optimistic” |
| 1 Aug 15 / Times Union |
A great show, performed with understanding and enthusiasm |
| 1 Aug 15 / Ithica Times |
Glimmerglass Festival: no better place for The Magic Flute and Candide |
| 24 Jul 15 / DC Theatre Scene |
Glimmerglass’s ‘Candide’ makes political satire satisfying entertainment |
| 24 Jul 15 / CNY Café Momus |
A sprightly new production of Bernstein’s musical |
| 22 Jul 15 / Financial Times |
Die ZauberflöteGlimmerglass FestivalNo. of reviews: 8 | |
An abundance of charm |
| 5 Sep 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Vivaldi, Mozart and Bernstein in Cooperstown |
| 14 Aug 15 / The Toronto Star |
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News & Articles
| Glimmerglass Festival names new leader |
Robert Ainsley, who has decades of opera experience as singer, director and administrator and is known for his advocacy for new works, has been named the next artistic and general director of the Glimmerglass Festival. |
| 26 May 2022 / Times Union |
| Francesca Zambello to depart role at Glimmerglass Festival |
Francesca Zambello, artistic and general director of the Glimmerglass Festival, plans to depart the company at the conclusion of the 2022 festival season. |
| 16 Oct 2021 / Opera News |
| Glimmerglass Festival to stage its operas outdoors this summer |
The festival, in Cooperstown, N.Y., plans to resume performances this summer in “the most ventilated area we could find: the great outdoors.” |
| 2 Mar 2021 / New York Times |
| Glimmerglass Festival cancels 2020 season |
The Glimmerglass Festival has announced that it has cancelled all live performances this summer as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. |
| 6 May 2020 / Opera News |
| The Glimmerglass Festival announces 2019 season |
As The Glimmerglass Festival prepares to open its 2018 season, the Cooperstown-based opera and musical theater company has announced programming for 2019. |
| 4 Jul 2018 / Broadway World |
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