The MetLiveArts Series Concert 2019-20 Review: Ute Lemper: Weimar Holiday

(Credit: Paula Lobo) The MetLiveArts program featured “Ute Lemper: Weimar Holiday” at The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium as part of a special Holiday series. Lemper performed story-telling music by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weil, Friedrich Hollaender, Mischa Spoliansky, Marcellus Schiffer, Shmerke Kaczerginski and Alexander Tamir. The evening highlighted an enlightening and progressive time in Germany’s music history which cultivated the awareness {…}

Jan 12, 2020

Metropolitan Opera 2019-20 Review: La Traviata

(Credit: Marty Sohl/ Metropolitan Opera) On Jan. 10, 2020 Verdi’s “La Traviata” returned to the stage in Michael Mayer’s production. It was the first revival of the production which scored a divisive reaction from the critics and the audience last season when it premiered. For this revival the Met brought superstar Aleksandra Kurzak, who was taking on the role of {…}

Jan 12, 2020

Andrea Bocelli Tour 2019–20 Review: Kaunas

(Credits: Dmitry Lyapustin) On Friday evening at 7:55 p.m. the Žalgiris Arena was full. People rushed to take their places after the hell they had to survive in the parking lot — the biggest indoor arena of the Baltic States somehow was not prepared for so many people coming to the show. “The world’s most beloved tenor” comes to Lithuania every two {…}

Jan 7, 2020

Houston Grand Opera 2019-20 Review: El Milagro del Recuerdo

In December Houston Grand Opera gave the world premiere of Javier Martínez and Leonard Foglia’s new opera “El Milagro del Recuerdo (The Miracle of Remembering).” The opera was billed as a “mariachi opera” and only the third of its kind ever produced by a professional opera company. While “El Milagro” certainly features mariachi music and singing, the work was much {…}

Jan 5, 2020

Royal Opera House Muscat 2019-20 Review: Die Zauberflöte

(This review will focus on the Jan. 4 performance, though with mentions of the Jan. 3 performance as well.) There is a moment near the end of Davide Livermore’s “Die Zauberflöte” at Muscat’s Royal Opera House of Musical Arts in which Tamino and Pamino must face the trials by fire and water with the magic flute in tow. But Livermore {…}

Jan 1, 2020

Metropolitan Opera 2019-20 Review: New Year’s Eve Gala

(Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera) The 2019-20 Metropolitan Opera New Year’s Eve gala started at 5:30 p.m and was scheduled to end around four hours later, leaving plenty of time for pre-midnight festivities. However, throughout the performance, you often wondered if the audience, despite witnessing three short Puccini acts from “La Bohème,” “Tosca,” and “Turandot,” might actually welcome the {…}

Dec 30, 2019

Talents of the World 2019 Review: Christmas Ball

On December 22, 2019, Talents of the World returned to Carnegie Hall for their second annual Christmas Ball. Featuring a program of opera, musical theatre, traditional songs, and holiday favorites, Sunday’s concert saw the company and guest artists delight the audience through irresistible renditions of beloved works. Drinking Songs & More Opening the concert was company president and baritone David {…}

Dec 30, 2019

Teatro Real Review 2019-20: Il Pirata

(Credit: Javier del Real) The Teatro Real de Madrid presented Bellini’s rarely performed “Il Pirata” with three casts in an aesthetically powerful production by Emilio Sagi in what is likely to be one of the highlights of the 2019-20 season. While the headliners of the first cast were Sonya Yoncheva and Javier Camarena, it was the second cast of Yolanda {…}

Dec 26, 2019

Park Avenue Concert Series 2019 Review: Frederick Schlick, Mariana Barbosa, Natalia Strzelecka, & Amelia Burshe

On December 21, 2019, the Eurasia Festival presented the second concert of its Park Avenue Concert Series. Held at the organization’s new location of the Eurasia Cultural Center, this series gives performance opportunities to students of the “Azatt Sessions,” a series of classes taught by director Mark Verzatt and Eurasia Festival President and pianist, Aza Sydykov. A Tenor Opens Opening {…}

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