Winter Opera’s 13th Season has come to a close, and reviews are rolling in from last weekend’s performances of the St. Louis premiere of Fanciulla del West! See what the critics are saying so far:
Post-Dispatch, Eric Meyer:
“Winter Opera St. Louis clinched its 13th season this weekend with a riveting production and local debut of Giacomo Puccini’s Wild West opera, “The Girl of the Golden West (La Fanciulla del West)””
“The three leading roles in particular were suitably cast. Soprano Karen Kanakis as Minnie handled the expressive swings the part demands with skill and grace; in the second act she reveals to Johnson her vulnerabilities with vocal charisma, yet by the end of the scene after she beats Sheriff Rance in the ultra-high stakes card game, her powerful voice renders the emotional growth of her character, easily penetrating the incredible wall of sound generated by conductor Dario Salvi and the orchestra.“
“Tenor Jorge Pita Carreras as Dick Johnson (aka the bandit Ramerrez) brought to his part the crucial vocal flexibility needed for the wide-ranging emotional requirements of his dual nature.”
KDHX, Chuck Lavazzi:
“…the excellent production Winter Opera is presenting..is the St. Louis premiere.”
“Soprano Karen Kanakis…is just perfect as Minnie, with a drop-dead gorgeous voice and acting that is never less than credible.”
“Other outstanding performances include Bass Mark Freiman’s Ashby, the Wells Fargo agent tracking down Ramerraz; baritone Jason Mallory in the cameo role of the minstrel Jake Wallace; and bass Aleksandar Dragojevic as Jim Larkens…”
“The bottom line is that Winter Opera’s “La fanciulla del west” is one of the weekend’s “must see” shows…”
BroadwayWorld, Steve Callahan:
“St. Louis’s wonderful Winter Opera closes it’s thirteenth season with a fine production of a rarely-seen work by Puccini–La fanciulla del West”
“The set is in fragments to reveal behind and over it a vast craggy mountain-scape. This is yet another marvel by scenic designer Scott Loebl.”
“the singers in the central roles at Winter Opera are stunningly good.”
“With stage direction by Jon Truitt, costumes by Felia Davenport and lighting by Natali Arco this is yet another splendid production by Winter Opera.”