Mark Valencia 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
@markvalencia.bsky.social
Lucky man. Critic for Opera, Bachtrack and Musical America. Francophile, grandfather, passionately pro-EU. Previously with the blue bird until it got sick. Much happier here.
These puns are getting perry perry silly
November 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
These puns are getting perry perry silly
While in Paris I had this sublime lamb shank tajine followed by a dame blanche for dessert, dear Mark, so nothing you can say impresses me after that.
November 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
While in Paris I had this sublime lamb shank tajine followed by a dame blanche for dessert, dear Mark, so nothing you can say impresses me after that.
Thank you Rebecca!
November 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thank you Rebecca!
Latest news; Berheim has cancelled. I get lucky that way. 😖
November 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Latest news; Berheim has cancelled. I get lucky that way. 😖
That sounds fair. But a formidable actress.
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
That sounds fair. But a formidable actress.
Yes. I was always a fan of JA.
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Yes. I was always a fan of JA.
At the risk of being Brito-centric, there's no one I'd rather hear sing Lucia today than Jennifer France. She's a real singing actress who has all the notes and uses them wisely.
November 9, 2025 at 5:59 PM
At the risk of being Brito-centric, there's no one I'd rather hear sing Lucia today than Jennifer France. She's a real singing actress who has all the notes and uses them wisely.
I wish Natalie Dessay had recorded the original Italian version instead of the neutered French version.
November 9, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I wish Natalie Dessay had recorded the original Italian version instead of the neutered French version.
I don't find Sutherland dramatically convincing. I can't get past the technique.
November 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I don't find Sutherland dramatically convincing. I can't get past the technique.
Mind you, matters have improved markedly in recent times. It is possible to have a high coloratura *and" interpret the drama.
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Mind you, matters have improved markedly in recent times. It is possible to have a high coloratura *and" interpret the drama.
The role of Lucia is steeped in drama, more than any other Donizetti role, yet too often it's a refuge for exponents of the trill and the warble.
November 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The role of Lucia is steeped in drama, more than any other Donizetti role, yet too often it's a refuge for exponents of the trill and the warble.
I entirely agree, cher Mathieu.
November 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I entirely agree, cher Mathieu.
Unspoiler: Gavin, you're right. And as a rule I'm far from being a Bernstein fan.
November 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Unspoiler: Gavin, you're right. And as a rule I'm far from being a Bernstein fan.
That ENO production of Kismet murdered a show I was brought up loving. I don't blame any of the singers for that.
November 8, 2025 at 1:41 PM
That ENO production of Kismet murdered a show I was brought up loving. I don't blame any of the singers for that.
Note to Deborah Warner
November 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Note to Deborah Warner