photo by Michal Daniel

Local reviews have waxed in favor of "Silent Night," the premiere being staged this week at Ordway Center in St. Paul. Both Larry Fuchsberg in the Strib and Rob Hubbard in the Pioneer Press felt Kevin Puts had a future in the opera business -- he's already an accomplished orchestral composer, something that's evident in the score.

Nationally, the Wall Street Journal is the only notice I have found. You can read Heidi Waleson's take, right underneath her review of Nico Muhly's "Dark Sisters."

By the way, tenor William Burden WAS in the cast on Tuesday night, having recovered from a bout of laryngitis that kept him out of Saturday's opening. Local tenor Brad Benoit has become a bit of a folk hero for singing the role just off stage as Burden lip synched on Saturday.

Minnesota Opera reports the run has sold out, although if you want to call and check on standing room, or ticket givebacks, have at it.