I may be eight months late in proclaiming this. However, I thank Elena Tsallagova’s encouraging Facebook comment when I reviewed Jossie Wieler’s, Anna Viebrock’s, and Sergio Morabito’s production of Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. She sang Eva Pogner. Although I had my initial doubts about how she was going to fare in stark comparison to a lot of my favorite Evas such as Elisabeth Rethberg, Tiana Lemnitz, and Margarete Teschemacher among the many spinto and full lyric sopranos of the past, Mrs. Tsallagova continued to demonstrate her pristine technique and unparalleled musical prowess to own Eva’s music. Therefore, she was one of the stars who shone so brilliantly that night. Comments of this ilk remind me why I love and continue to be passionate about producing online music and media reviews. It is never enough to sit back, relax, and enjoy any opera or musical work I watch. I always revel in engaging with the various presented works, analyzing said works, and constructing arguments based on thorough research, profound understanding, and unwavering passion for the performing arts. This is especially where acting and singing are concerned. Yes, some people find me “unfair” or “mean” when I make my reviews. Nonetheless, I do not care because the only attribute I highly regard is ensuring that any performer has an excellent pedigree to fulfill what their roles demand. I will constantly remain true to my assessments and never let them be silenced. Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Elena Tsallagova for her empowering comment. I will continue to integrate deep analysis, high passion, and clear criticism in my content for all my viewers. This is especially true for all the operas, concerts, albums, musicals, operettas, and ballets I review. I will also persevere even when certain “triggered commenters” whine about me being too mean. Quality technique and precise clarity will always remain the top priorities of every performer I assess. Moreover, I am sufficiently brave to implement my education to keep my mind open and ensure that my arguments align well with what must be conveyed. Thus, I will continue to exercise critical analysis as an online music and media reviewer and will never waver from my arguments and critiques.
Elena Tsallagova
It is out with the Middle-Age fairs and in with the 1990s to 2000s Croc shoes in Jossie Wieler’s, Anna Viebrock’s, and Sergio Morabito’s production Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Please enjoy my review and let me know your opinions as well.
How did Gabriela Scherer tackle the title role of Strauss’s Arabella, as she ended up singing the subsequent performances after the premiere? Find out in my review and please let me know your opinions as well.
A bizarrely confusing Regietheater production of Strauss’s Arabella made its premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin three days ago with a cast of both veterans and fresh-faced singers. Enjoy my review and please let me know your opinions as well.
With an ever-strengthening vocal presence, heaps of discipline, and a phenomenal technique by his side, how did Alfred Kim fare as Calaf, a role he has been specializing for many years? Find out in my review.
Coming into his own in the leading tenor roles is none other than Attilio Glaser, whose career has been opening new doors especially with this iconic poet in love. Enjoy my review and let me know your opinions as well.
Boasting such a vast repertoire from playing vibrant young men to sexy, sumptuous, sinuous seductresses, how did this mezzo-soprano fare in one of her signature roles? Enjoy my review to find out and let me know your opinions as well.
A brilliant full lyric tenor with a growing repertoire rises to the challenge to take on the delightfully despicable Duke of Mantua. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
This production of Rossini’s Il Viaggio a Reims may be an acquired taste, but it was definitely a vocal extravaganza from all of the singing superstars, whose efforts cannot and should not be ignored in the slightest. Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.
This was yet another historical piece of work from Meyerbeer to add to my accomplishments of operas I have been longing to review for the longest time. The question remains, how well does this illustrious cast headed by Gregory Kunde, Clementine Margaine, Elena Tsallagova, Derek Welton, Noel Bouley, Andrew Dickinson, and Seth Carico stack up? Enjoy the review and let me know your opinions as well.