While we expected a sense of deja vu at last Tuesday’s performance of Saint-Saëns’ Samson and Delilah -- we had seen Olga Borodina in this very role, sung in that very set, on that very stage back in 2001 -- we didn't. Why? Because the set manages to be both impressive, and, well, forgettable. Sure, it has some striking features, like a giant mill wheel and statue of the God Dagon (or is the Dog Gadon), which resembles a 20-foot chihuahua. Still, it fits a McOpera period style that is appropriate, luxurious but kitsch and not particularly inventive. We did remember the spectacular final collapse of the temple (oops, we spoiled it, didn’t we?), and good thing we did. A curtain malfunction at our performance kept the spectacular effect from working. more ›

Donald Runnicles opened his tenure at the San Francisco Opera by conducting two ring cycles in 1990, which led to his appointment as musical director in 1992. His expiring contract won’t be renewed in 2009, yet he’ll still conduct the Ring currently in production for 2010-2011: he and Wagner go together. more ›