Yes, the reviews are in (some of them, anyway) and the critics seem to be uniformly knocked-out by the performances in the Dallas Opera’s 25th Anniversary revival of THE ASPERN PAPERS, which opened last Friday evening. Starring Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Susan Graham as Tina in her long-awaited TDO debut, French soprano Alexandra Deshorties as a famous opera singer who becomes a recluse, baritone Nathan Gunn as a mysterious lodger, and tenor Joseph Kaiser in his company debut as the composer, Aspern. The work also stars Dean Peterson as Barelli, an impresario and Sasha Cooke as his mistress.
How great was it? Ask Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of “Theater Jones” who wrote, “the final result is neither play nor opera, but a hybrid that transcends both art forms.” Get his review right here.
Over at “The Dallas Morning News,” Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell wrote that “the company served it up with a world-class cast…a subtly imaginative staging by Tim Albery and eloquent playing by the Dallas Opera Orchestra.” Read his review here.
Critic Olin Chism of the “Star-Telegram” praised the “fine cast…strong playing by the Dallas Opera Orchestra and some haunting wordless offstage choral singing.” Read his review here.
And last but not least, Wayne Lee Gay of D Magazine’s “Front Row” blog wrote that “the opening of a new production of The Aspern Papers Friday night at Winspear Opera House more both justifies the company’s original venture a quarter of a century ago and makes a strong case for a permanent place in the repertoire for the piece.” Get the whole review right here.
Do you have your tickets yet? The production runs through April 28th.
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR