This operatic version of an American classic gets better the more it's performed.
Karren LaLonde AlenierDC, The Washington National Opera production of “Moby-Dick” is a crowd pleaser. Jake Heggie’s music is tonal, sometimes glancing off Puccini, but ventures out with touches of Philip Glass minimalism and other occasions of atonality that make it satisfyingly contemporary. Maestro ...
Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Jan. 26, 2014
Karren LaLonde AlenierDC, In the opening program of its 40th anniversary season, the Verge Ensemble, the performance group of the Contemporary Music Forum, presented 90 minutes of distinctive contemporary classical music with commentary. While the program included five short computer-generated pieces by Paul ...
The Lamplighters emphasize the effervescent in a sparkling new translation of this Viennese operetta.
Suzanne WeissCA, I’ll take mine mit schlag. The Bay Area’s venerable Lamplighters have departed from the usual Gilbert and Sullivan fare to serve up Johann Strauss II’s delectable Viennese concoction, “Die Fledermaus,” in a production that often is as fizzy as ...
The Russian pianist delivered a concert of the highest order, without flashy gimmicks or unnecessary gestures.
Frances WilsonLondon, UK In a welcome return to London after several years’ absence, acclaimed Russian pianist Boris Berezovsky opened the 2014 International Piano Series at the Southbank Centre with an impressive and absorbing recital of music by two of the finest ...
The pianist wows both sides of the classical divide with innovative performances of Scarlatti and Cage.
Karren LaLonde AlenierDC, Making his Kennedy Center debut, pianist David Greilsammer is not only a talented musician but also a man with engaging ideas that reach out to audiences across a wide spectrum of musical history. As part of its Hayes Piano Series, ...
Karen WeinsteinLos Angeles, CA Whoa, a credit for animation on an opera review? It must be a misprint. It is not? Really? Yup. The stage set is 99% a flat white wall with a few flush doors you might not notice at first. Against this ...
Suzanne WeissSan Francisco, CA Well honey, he can cut my hair anytime. Rossini’s Figaro, probably the most famous coiffeur in the world, is delightfully showcased in San Francisco Opera’s new production (with Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet) of “The Barber of Seville,” sparkling with ...
Karen WeinsteinLos Angeles, CA "Falstaff" is an operatic bauble, easily dismissed as a bit of comedic fun, yet considered by some, such as conductor James Conlon, to be one of the two crowning achievements of Verdi's long career. But isn't comedy often undervalued? Rarely ...
Suzanne WeissSan Francisco, CA Just in time for Halloween comes a spooky ghost story from the legendary past. The best thing about this one is the beautiful music it’s set to. Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” (“Der fliegende Holländer” if you prefer it in ...
Karen Weinstein Patricia Bardon and Brandon Jovanovich in LA Opera's "Carmen"Photo by Robert Millard Music by Georges BizetLibretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic HalévyDirected by Trevore RossConducted by Placido DomingoWith Patricia Bardon, Brandon Jovanovich, Pretty Yende, Ildebrando D’ArcangeloLA Opera, Dorothy Chandler ...
