Story perspectives

Chaos and Climate: Ruhl's 'The Seasons' Premieres in Philly

12/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Seasons, by playwright Sarah Ruhl and countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, premiered at Opera Philadelphia after debuting at Boston Lyric Opera.
The production fuses Vivaldi’s music with a climate-crisis narrative featuring five artists at a country retreat.
The story follows their relationships with nature, highlighted by the Cosmic Weatherman's call to action.
Despite intermittent thrills, the performance feels chaotic and unfocused, though satire critiques climate inattention.

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Story summary

The Seasons, by playwright Sarah Ruhl and countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, premiered at Opera Philadelphia after debuting at Boston Lyric Opera.
The production fuses Vivaldi’s music with a climate-crisis narrative featuring five artists at a country retreat.
The story follows their relationships with nature, highlighted by the Cosmic Weatherman's call to action.
Despite intermittent thrills, the performance feels chaotic and unfocused, though satire critiques climate inattention.