Billy Budd at San Francisco Opera
Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
“Bass-baritone Christian Van Horn unleashed a tour-de-force as John Claggart, the scheming, sadistic master-at-arms, also possibly harboring a secret lust for Billy. With a booming voice and dark aura, Van Horn mercilessly intimidated and abused the seamen.
He also was gripping in his Act 2 monologue, in which he suggests a suppressed longing that may have upwelled due to Billy’s presence and, possibly to quash it, declares his determination to frame him for mutiny.”
“As Claggart, Van Horn’s big voice and personality to match gave the production evil so complete you couldn’t help but admire it.”