-
Organization
Boston Lyric Opera
Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) is New England’s largest opera company. Founded in 1976, BLO is recognized for its artistically excellent productions of a diverse repertoire that entertain and inspire audiences and feature emerging operatic talent. BLO produces three mainstage productions at the Citi Performing Arts Center (SM) Shubert Theatre in Boston and a production of a fully staged, one-hour English version of a popular Opera for Young Audiences throughout New England. BLO’s programs are funded - in part - by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Learn more at blo.org
-
Contact Info
Boston Lyric Opera
45 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110Phone: 617.542.4912
Fax: 617.542.4913
-
Locations
-
Video & Image Gallery
Video | Images
-
Upcoming Events
02/11/10 Boston Lyric Opera Opera Series: Rossini and The Barber of Seville
Old South Church, Boston02/14/10 Boston Lyric Opera Signature Series: "Creating an Opera: Passions Run High"
Museum of Fine Arts Boston02/18/10 Boston Lyric Opera Opera 101: Mozart and an introduction to Idomeneo
Old South Church, Boston02/25/10 Boston Lyric Opera Opera 101: Idomeneo
Old South Church, Boston03/04/10 Boston Lyric Opera Opera 101: Strauss and an introduction to Ariadne auf Naxos
Old South Church, Boston03/11/10 Boston Lyric Opera's Opera 101: Ariadne auf Naxos
Old South Church, Boston03/12/10-
03/23/10Boston Lyric Opera: Ariadne Auf Naxos
Citi Shubert Theatre03/28/10 Boston Lyric Opera Signature Series: "The Return from Troy"
Museum of Fine Arts Boston04/23/10-
05/04/10Boston Lyric Opera: Idomeneo, re di Creta
Citi Shubert Theatre -
Reviews
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the Screw
"Something really different!"
Comment posted by: Bill Nigreen from Boston, Jan 24, 2010
In Turn of the Screw, Henry James created an unsolvable psychological puzzle. Benjamin Britten put James' ghost story brilliantly to music. Last week, I witnessed a rehearsal of Boston Lyric Opera's... Expand
In Turn of the Screw, Henry James created an unsolvable psychological puzzle. Benjamin Britten put James' ghost story brilliantly to music. Last week, I witnessed a rehearsal of Boston Lyric Opera's production, where director Sam Helfrich has staged a fascinating interpretation with glorious singing. Don't miss it! Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"Captivated me and my students"
Comment posted by: Tom Westmoreland, Band Director, Lynnfield High School from Boston, MA, Nov 21, 2009
I took 20 high school students to see the dress rehearsal of Carmen on Wednesday, November 4. My students were completely enthralled by the production. They raved for days afterwards, not only to me... Expand
I took 20 high school students to see the dress rehearsal of Carmen on Wednesday, November 4. My students were completely enthralled by the production. They raved for days afterwards, not only to me and their fellow band mates, but other teachers. On top of this, most of these students were boys...and if you can get fifteen 16 year old boys to like opera, you must be doing something amazing. The set is meaningful without being overwhelming, which leaves the story to be told by the music and the actors. Overall I thought Lockhart's interpretation of the score was superb, and the singers were top notch. Dana Beth Miller is completely engaging as Carmen. It was a wonderful production, and as I said before...if you can get teenagers to sit for 2.5 hours and be engaged in a piece of art that is 150 years old, you are allowing the story to shine but also bringing a freshness to a new audience. Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"A show with ideas."
Review posted by: Operanne from Chicago, Nov 18, 2009
As an occasional visitor from Chicago it's great to see BLO mounting a first-rate production. In nearly 5 decades of opera-going throughout Europe and North America, I've seen my share of Carmens.... Expand
As an occasional visitor from Chicago it's great to see BLO mounting a first-rate production. In nearly 5 decades of opera-going throughout Europe and North America, I've seen my share of Carmens. This one's up there with the best of them. One may not agree with all the scenic or staging ideas, but at least this production HAS ideas, and they're worked through consistently and with a clear dramatic purpose. The casting, right down to the smaller roles, is good, and the singers seemed to have settled into their roles by the time I saw the show, despite the comments of some of your other reviewers. I particularly liked the way the final scene was handled - dispensing with the usual pageantry and glitz enabled the music and drama to register to telling effect. Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"Operatic storytelling at its best"
Review posted by: sabrina from Cambridge, MA, Nov 18, 2009
This was gripping drama with every visual detail selected to support the music and the storytelling. The acting was very effective and the singing as a whole was excellent, as was the orchestral... Expand
This was gripping drama with every visual detail selected to support the music and the storytelling. The acting was very effective and the singing as a whole was excellent, as was the orchestral playing. The space limitations of the stage and backstage area of the Shubert Theater limit scenery to a minimum, and the setting allowed the story to be played out while suggesting some of the themes of this production (the role of religion in the country which gave the world the Spanish Inquisition, for instance). This was a polished, professional production in every way. Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"terrific"
Review posted by: operaphile from Somerville, MA, Nov 18, 2009
Only saw Carmen on its last night, but we loved it. Performances and acting were terrific and we thought the staging, including the stripped down set, worked to reveal complicated relationships... Expand
Only saw Carmen on its last night, but we loved it. Performances and acting were terrific and we thought the staging, including the stripped down set, worked to reveal complicated relationships among flawed but passionate people. Very different from other Carmens: not cliched at all. Very powerful. Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"minimal set/maximum sizzle"
Review posted by: luccamusic from lexington, ma, Nov 18, 2009
Having seen a full-blown NYC Opera Carmen a few years ago, I was curious about how BLO would translate Carmen to a smaller stage production. The medieval "Last Judgment" looming over the set was... Expand
Having seen a full-blown NYC Opera Carmen a few years ago, I was curious about how BLO would translate Carmen to a smaller stage production. The medieval "Last Judgment" looming over the set was effective and more interesting than a conventional portrayal of Seville. Dana Beth Miller was a wonderful Carmen, and Hanan Alattar a wonderful foil to her, in voice and persona. Daniel Mobbs sounded excellent, though it took a few minutes to be convinced of him as a toreador— but his singing brought the role to life. The BLO orchestra, under Lockhart, did Bizet's beautiful score justice. Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"TOO HOT TO LIVE!"
Review posted by: Becca from Somerville, MA, Nov 17, 2009
I must admit I'm a newcomer to opera, so I didn't know what to expect. It was fantastic! Unlike the other reviews I loved the way the backdrop moved with the story line- definitely a different and... Expand
I must admit I'm a newcomer to opera, so I didn't know what to expect. It was fantastic! Unlike the other reviews I loved the way the backdrop moved with the story line- definitely a different and creative approach compared to other stage productions I've seen. Too bad tonight is the last performance because I had an absolute blast and would highly recommend it. Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"bad set"
Review posted by: jim from boston, MA, Nov 14, 2009
The set was very disappointing. It was a poster that changed angles with every act. Could they not afford something better? This detracted from the singing.
The set was very disappointing. It was a poster that changed angles with every act. Could they not afford something better? This detracted from the singing.
-
Event Name: Carmen
"silly"
Review posted by: don from Boston, Nov 12, 2009
Stage setting had a giant postcard suspended above the stage that just got in the way and got distracting. Changes to the script and scenes didn't add much. On the other hand, the principals, with... Expand
Stage setting had a giant postcard suspended above the stage that just got in the way and got distracting. Changes to the script and scenes didn't add much. On the other hand, the principals, with the exception of Michaela whose voice was kind or reedy and weak in the lower registers was quite good and the orchestra was terrific under Keith Lockhart. Collapse
-
Event Name: Carmen
"Great Intro to Opera"
Review posted by: NewToOpera from Cambridge, MA, Nov 11, 2009
This was one of the first operas I've seen and I enjoyed it from the beginning all through the end. From Carmen's stunning entrance (first character on stage wearing any color) to the dramatic finish... Expand
This was one of the first operas I've seen and I enjoyed it from the beginning all through the end. From Carmen's stunning entrance (first character on stage wearing any color) to the dramatic finish I was highly stimulated by the sights, sounds and emotions on stage. The use of the spoken word to further the plot greatly enhanced the experience as well. I look forward to seeing other productions by BLO soon. Collapse
-
-
Media Reviews
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the ScrewBLO leaves home with Britten’s “Turn of the Screw”Boston Globe - Feb 04, 2010By Jeremy Eichler
The vocal performances were among the best I have heard in any BLO production of recent years. Expand
The vocal performances were among the best I have heard in any BLO production of recent years. Collapse
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the ScrewMaking Opera Cool Is Easier When You Have A Castlewbur.org - Feb 03, 2010By Andrea Shea
"BOSTON — New England’s largest opera company is trying something new. The Boston Lyric Opera is taking a production out of the theater and into The Castle, a historic landmark in Boston’s Back Bay. “Turn of the Screw” opens there Wednesday… Expand
"BOSTON — New England’s largest opera company is trying something new. The Boston Lyric Opera is taking a production out of the theater and into The Castle, a historic landmark in Boston’s Back Bay. “Turn of the Screw” opens there Wednesday night." Collapse
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the Screw‘Screw’ tightens tension at Castlethe edge BostonHerald.com - Feb 03, 2010By Keith Powers
"The Boston Lyric Opera usually holds forth in the Shubert Theatre, but the company found a more foreboding venue to stage its production of Benjamin Britten’s mysterious and compelling “The Turn of the Screw”: the Park Plaza Castle" Expand
"The Boston Lyric Opera usually holds forth in the Shubert Theatre, but the company found a more foreboding venue to stage its production of Benjamin Britten’s mysterious and compelling “The Turn of the Screw”: the Park Plaza Castle" Collapse
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the ScrewThe Turn of the ScrewEdge - Feb 03, 2010By Ed Tapper
"To create the proper ambience, Boston Lyric Opera is moving its performing forces to The Castle on Columbus Avenue for its new production of Benjamin Britten’s chamber opera, The Turn of the Screw." Expand
"To create the proper ambience, Boston Lyric Opera is moving its performing forces to The Castle on Columbus Avenue for its new production of Benjamin Britten’s chamber opera, The Turn of the Screw." Collapse
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the ScrewLost Innocence: Unfolding Horror in Turn of the ScrewThe Boston Musical Intelliger - Feb 01, 2010By Bettina A. Norton
'“I seek a friend —Obedient to follow where I lead, Slick as a juggler’s mate to catch my thought… and in that hour ‘The ceremony of innocence is drowned’…” This ominous text is from the libretto to Benjamin Britten’s opera, Turn of… Expand
'“I seek a friend —Obedient to follow where I lead, Slick as a juggler’s mate to catch my thought… and in that hour ‘The ceremony of innocence is drowned’…” This ominous text is from the libretto to Benjamin Britten’s opera, Turn of the Screw, to be presented by Boston Lyric Opera as an Opera Annex production at the Park Plaza Castle on February 3, 5, and 6.' Collapse
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the ScrewScaring up an alternative venue Park Plaza Castle is the setting for ‘Turn of the Screw’Boston.com - Jan 31, 2010By Harlow Robinson
Boston Lyric Opera turns the Park Plaza Castle into a spooky performance venue. Expand
Boston Lyric Opera turns the Park Plaza Castle into a spooky performance venue. Collapse
-
Event Name: Britten's The Turn of the ScrewBoston Lyric Opera's The Turn of the ScrewArtsEditor - Jan 19, 2010By Jonah Kappraff
"Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) is inaugurating its Opera Annex, a plan to present operas at alternative venues, providing new insights into the works." Expand
"Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) is inaugurating its Opera Annex, a plan to present operas at alternative venues, providing new insights into the works." Collapse
-
Event Name: CarmenCarmenEDGE Contributor - Nov 09, 2009By Ed Tapper
French opera continues to be a curiously elusive genre on our musical stages. Whether it is the difficulty of the sung, French language, a scarcity of singers to do it justice, or a general decline in its popularity, it seems to have taken a subsidiary… Expand
French opera continues to be a curiously elusive genre on our musical stages. Whether it is the difficulty of the sung, French language, a scarcity of singers to do it justice, or a general decline in its popularity, it seems to have taken a subsidiary position to Italian, German, and even Eastern European forms---much to the dismay of Francophiles and true, opera buffs. With its sumptuous production of Massenet’s Thais a few seasons back, Boston Lyric Opera distinguished itself as our sole bastion of French opera. For its season-opener, the company chose the grand-daddy, or should we say, the big mama of them all--- Bizet’s Carmen.
Collapse -
Event Name: CarmenFor BLO, a potent new chamber “Carmen”Boston Globe - Nov 07, 2009By Jeremy Eichler
Boston Lyric Opera’s general director Esther Nelson has promised more homegrown new productions for the company, and she is keeping her word. Last night at the Shubert Theatre, BLO opened its season with a new “Carmen,’’ presented in a stripped-down,… Expand
Boston Lyric Opera’s general director Esther Nelson has promised more homegrown new productions for the company, and she is keeping her word. Last night at the Shubert Theatre, BLO opened its season with a new “Carmen,’’ presented in a stripped-down, theatrically intense staging by Nicholas Muni.
Collapse
-
-
Past Events
-
-
Advertisement
-
Advertisement
-
Video Spotlight on WGBH
-
Twitter Updates
-
Donate to ArtsBoston
Make an impact on Boston’s cultural community.
-
Featured Sections
Submit an Event
Post your events on ArtsBoston
1/2 Price Tickets
Buy 1/2 price tickets from BosTix
Recent Reviews
Hear what site visitors have to say
Top Ten Events
The best events from your reviews
Make ArtsBoston.org
Your Home Page! (IE users only)
-
Our Premier Media Partner
-
Our Media Partner
.jpg)
-
Advertisement
-
State & Local Resources
-
Connecting Through the Arts
Email Subscription
Join ArtsBoston's email list to receive special updates, newsletters, and more!
Watch: ArtsBoston YouTube Channel
Connect: Facebook, LinkedIn
Learn: Twitter
-
Advertisement
-
Made Possible With Support From
-
Media Partners
Premier Media Partner
-
Artsopolis Network
Artsopolis Network Members: Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Colorado Springs, CO | Fargo, ND | Flint, MI | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Grand Forks, ND | Greensboro, NC
Houston, TX | Memphis, TN | Nashville, TN | Norfolk, VA | Orange County, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Phoenix, Tucson & Flagstaff, AZ | Riverside, CA | Sacramento, CA