Die Zauberflöte at San Francisco Opera

Have I told you guys about the SF Opera's production of Die Zauberflöte last summer??? It was.....eh...umm....strange.

1. The singing: Okay. 

• The Tamino (Alek Shrader) was recovering from a cold, so his voice was a bit weak. I appreciate his willingness to sing, though. 
• The Königin Der Nacht (sung by Albina Shagimuratova) was a bit sharp for her first aria (O zittre nicht mein lieber Sohn)

     2.  The costumes/Set: -.- ???

• Okay, so I know I have a huge problem with costumes and sets, but even my mom agreed that the costumes/sets were strange. I had eye problems on the way home. (I kid, I kid.)
• The Three Ladies (above) had strange costumes (well in my opinion everyone did)
• The stage was ALSO striped with black and white. 
• The Königin der Nacht had a giant purple orb on her head. (???)

Okay, okay, I'm done criticizing now...by the way don't blame me for being too much of a critic; I'm just a student expressing his opinions here....

Maria Stuarda at the Met
Hello all! I have been listening to the Met's new performances of Maria Stuarda and l'Elisir d'Amore. Both can be found on youtube (in their entirety)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8nnKhpHJJ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLcpFq09z7E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7cAHD87vtw

I think it's a shame that Maria Stuarda had not been performed at the Met before. It's such a great opera! And l'Elisir d'Amore was sublime! I think I REALLY appreciated both operas because (again, my pet peeve) the costumes were somewhat TRADITIONAL.

Met Opera Rigoletto....."What??? Vegas???" 

Hello all, and welcome to February. I recently saw a video of the Met's new production of Rigoletto....what is this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=9-zXLKd76fk&NR=1  I prefer this.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWwg_VtrTdg The singing in the Met version is amazing... Piotr Beczala was great! But the Met's set and theme? I think I'll take 16th century Mantua over 60's Vegas any day...Honestly, I must say that the Met was extremely creative and liberal about setting. But it was too extreme (for my tastes; I'm a traditionalist when it comes to operas). I hope you get the chance to see it!