Claudio Monteverdi's "Ulisse" and Joan Didion's "The Year of Magical Thinking" have a lot to do with each other, as the "Yes, May" festival shows. Director Christopher Rüping makes his operatic debut.
The two-hour, non-stop evening is spread between tragedy and ironic sprinkles. The terrific Kristina Hammarström is responsible for the former. A Penelope of archaic impassivity, who dresses her singing in velvety mezzo colors. Charles Daniels is a mature, soft-toned Ulisse.