Tragedy and comedy vie for attention in Richard Strauss’ technically demanding, gorgeous score and Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s fascinating play-within-a-play libretto. Given that Berkeley West Edge Opera’s tag line for their season, “the intersection of pop and classical,” seems calculated to raise more than a few eyebrows, it will be interesting to see what Artistic Director Mark Streshinsky and Music Director Jonathan Khuner have in store. With a cast that includes the wonderful Marie Plette as Ariadne and Buffy Baggott as the Composer, and recent San Francisco Conservatory grad Emma McNairy as the high-flying Zerbinetta, the production may have just what it takes to transport us from the isle of Naxos to the garden of delight.
Jason Victor Serinus regularly reviews music and audio for Stereophile, SFCV, Classical Voice North America, AudioStream, American Record Guide, and other publications. The whistling voice of Woodstock in She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown, the longtime Oakland resident now resides in Port Townsend, Washington.