Columbia University School of the Arts Miller Theatre 2023-24 Review: John Zorn at 70

(Photo credit: Rob Davidson for Miller Theatre) Columbia University’s Miller Theatre featured “John Zorn at 70,” with works by avant-garde and experimental composer and conductor John Zorn on November 16, 2023 to a sold out audience. Zorn, well-known for his “deliberate category resistance,” is one of New York’s most important composers. His support for his artistic community is unconditional and {…}

Seton Hall University Classical Concert Series 2023 Review: Cavalleria Rusticana

The traditional Cav/Pag double-bill has a flaw: “Pagliacci” overshadows “Cavalleria Rusticana.” As a result, “Cavalleria,” like an amuse-bouche, is a warmup for a more exciting opera. This bias in the Cav/Pag pairing seems illogical. Both operas are set in rural Italian/Sicilian villages, feature true-to-life characters, love triangles, and culminate in utter tragedy. Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” stands as the first opera {…}