Remember the days when opera was one of the biggest events of the year at the Maine Center for the Arts? Passionate followers of the art form would cram into the hall, cheering the singers of touring companies such as the New York City Opera. Remember not so… Read More
Poor Aida. She never really has a chance. She’s the Ethiopian slave of an Egyptian princess, their two countries are at war, and hers is the away team. She can’t trust anyone – not her boss, not her father, not even the gods. Worst of all, she can’t… Read More
Johann Strauss’ light opera “Die Fledermaus” is the perfect music event for ringing in the new year. The music is bubbly – with a distinctly Viennese flavor – and, in the end, the zany marital comedy, faked identities and revenge jokes are blamed on the holiday’s favorite beverage:… Read More
It’s always a challenge to bring new life to an age-old story. The Hat City Music Theater was certainly up to that task Saturday night, re-enervating the Engelbert Humperdinck opera “Hansel & Gretel” for a quarter-full Hutchins Concert Hall at the Maine Center for the… Read More
The London City Opera production of “The Merry Widow,” which was performed endearingly Thursday at the Maine Center for the Arts, may have reminded some audience members of operas by Richard Strauss. Others may have been thinking of operettas by Gilbert and Sullivan. But the score by Franz… Read More