Fisher Center Performance of The Egyptian Helen reviewed in Opera Magazine
Hailey Clark (Helena) and the company of The Egyptian Helen. Photo by Maria Baranova
Opera Magazine’s Eric Myers wrote an admiring review of The Egyptian Helen, performed at the Sosnoff Theater as part of the 2026 Bard Summerscape Festival. The review noted “memorable” costume design and “impressive” production, and broadly praised the various vocal performances. “Hailey Clark displayed a strong, sinewy, developed instrument; her sound and her sense of emotional commitment made her seem nearly ready to take on Elektra,” Myers wrote.
The Strauss opera, described as difficult for performers and audiences alike, was staged by Christian Räth, conducted by Leon Bostein, and featured the American Symphony Orchestra and the Bard Festival Choir. The review concludes by noting Botstein’s long association with this specific work, having written about and recorded it extensively, making for an “exciting” interpretation that, according to Myers, “overcame many of the work’s difficulties."
Post Date: 09-24-2026
The Strauss opera, described as difficult for performers and audiences alike, was staged by Christian Räth, conducted by Leon Bostein, and featured the American Symphony Orchestra and the Bard Festival Choir. The review concludes by noting Botstein’s long association with this specific work, having written about and recorded it extensively, making for an “exciting” interpretation that, according to Myers, “overcame many of the work’s difficulties."
Post Date: 09-24-2026