However, neither singer was flattered by Carl Friedrich Oberle's tight, ill-cut gowns, and Eboli's final outfit a black, ankle-length tutu number looked absurd enough to undercut her tragedy.

WSJ: Mary Stuart | Don Carlos | Houston Grand Opera | Soprano Showdown in Houston | Opera Reviews by Heidi Waleson

Mr. Oberle's costumes seemed designed to confuse us about the era: Some of the chorus costumes and the military uniforms suggested the 1930s was this supposed to be Franco's Spain?

WSJ: Mary Stuart | Don Carlos | Houston Grand Opera | Soprano Showdown in Houston | Opera Reviews by Heidi Waleson