Chris Ruel

1 week ago | operawire.com | Chris Ruel

In March 2020, as the lights dim on his Metropolitan Opera/Lincoln Center Theater commissioned opera, “Intimate Apparel,” and rise on what will be a lengthy global pandemic, Ricky Ian Gordon reaches for his phone. His first call is to James Robinson, his friend, and the artistic director of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) at the time (he is taking over the leadership of Seattle Opera).

Dec 28, 2024 | operawire.com | Chris Ruel

Muscat, the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman, has been a crossroads of culture for centuries. Ships from as far away as China once arrived here, bearing precious spices. Oman itself was and remains the leading producer of frankincense, the scent of which hangs in the air. The Sultanate sits at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, with the Gulf of Oman to the east and the Arabian Sea to its south.

Aug 22, 2024 | operawire.com | Chris Ruel

It was January 2020, on the Brooklyn waterfront. A bone-chilling wind funneled through old buildings, slamming the streets. Inside, “Ellen West” would have its premiere. But my mind wasn’t on opera; that very day, I learned my brother had cancer. As I arrived, a cluster of people stood on the steps. Ricky Ian Gordon was in the aisle, easy to spot by his hat. I introduced myself, and “Chris!!!” burst from his lips before he hugged me. I hadn’t expected that; we’d never met before.

Jul 31, 2024 | operawire.com | Chris Ruel

Photo: Andy HendersonBard SummerScape Festival 2024 took a daring leap, presenting Giacomo Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophète” in a fully staged production. This opera is a rarity, and after sitting through it, I can see why. It’s probably best left on the fringes of the repertoire but shouldn’t be missed if you want to see what was one of Meyerbeer’s most successful operas.

Apr 11, 2024 | operawire.com | Chris Ruel

Perhaps it was the eclipse, an event typically devoid of human influence, yet on the evening of April 8, 2024, it seemed to cast an otherworldly aura over Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons’ production of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones.” The production premiered at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 2019 before moving to the Met to sold-out audiences in 2021. This year’s production, now three years later, is a testament to the power of new works.