Orange County Register

 One Comment

• Bill Keiser says:

  February 19, 2008 at 4:33 pm

  Thanks for an insightful and carefully considered review. Artsy you call it, and artsy it was, LBO artsy in Full Flower.
  Somehow a heartrending, intimate personal crafting of music from the heart for voice, piano and clarinet became a painfully over-wrought, over-orchestrated and over-amplified nightmare. And that doesn’t even touch on the physical discomfort of the venue — apparently another LBO tradition.

  Well, in all fairness, I have to admit that the chlorine gas fumes cleared up my clogged sinuses, and I got a great night’s sleep after the performance. Perhaps the gods were telling me something.

  In a larger sense, what a great week in our area for us opera lovers. A delightful rediscovery of two suppressed “oldies but goodies” at LAOp (along with a not-so-hot production of Otello), LBO’s effort at opera sur la plage, and Maria Stuarda coming up in a few days in nearby San Diego. And in a few more weeks, The Medium in Irvine, etc., etc., etc. After years of dreaming, SoCal has finally become an opera-friendly place. That’s enough to make one forget chlorine fumes and horrendous amplification and be greatful for living where we do.

  Thanks again for another example of thorough and tactful reportage.