#1 Opera: “The Philharmonia Baroque’s impressive re-creation of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s 1745 opera-ballet Le Temple de la Gloire was a blockbuster hit by any measure. Our review of the spectacle was a rave: “Brimming over with the splendors of this taut but lushly expressive French Baroque score; a formal but moving text by Voltaire; diverse solo, ensemble, and choral singing; poised and sensual dance; delectable costumes; painterly backdrops and projections; and for good measure a quizzical ostrich in the final act, this joint endeavor by Cal Performances and Centre de musique baroque de Versailles gratified on multiple levels.” S.F. Opera’s summer presentation of Rigoletto with best-opera-singer nominee Quinn Kelsey was the second-favorite choice.
