The internationally recognized performance art venue Roulette in Brooklyn is featuring the revival of Robert Ashley’s “eL/Aficionado” and illuminates the vital relevancy of this opera today. Mimi Johnson, as producer, and Tom Hamilton, as music director, revive Ashley’s vision with a new perspective by casting mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Butcher as the Agent. This opera was originally written in 1987 and last {…}
On October 16, 2021, Teatro Grattacielo presented a concert of highlights from Alberto Franchetti’s opera “Cristoforo Colombo.” Originally commissioned by the city of Genoa, Columbus’ birthplace, it premiered in 1892 to mark the 400th anniversary of his voyage to America. Well-received by Italian audiences, this opera is one that is seldom performed in American theaters. Saturday’s concert marked the first {…}
(Photo: ©Tristram Kenton) English National Opera haven’t had a live audience in their home at the London Coliseum since March 2020. But they’ve hardly been idle: their costume department made hospital scrubs, they devised a singing program for those suffering with “long COVID,” and performed “Tosca” and “La bohème” in striking outdoor settings. Their 2021-22 season opened last week with {…}
On Oct. 16, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra presented a diverse program entitled Song and Symphony at the newly constructed Rady Shell. The program included three composers from different backgrounds and countries that were united by the passionate musical language of each piece. The result was an exciting exploration of music led by the infectious conducting of Rafael Payare. Lili {…}
(Photo: Stradella Y-Project) Situated about a two minute walk from Rome’s Piazza Navona is the Palazzo Altemps, a building originally designed by Melozzo da Forlì for Girolamo Riario, Lord of Imola in the fifteenth century. Over the years it was enlarged and developed into what is now a magnificent Renaissance residence. The Riario family’s tenure of the building was a {…}
Fifteen years ago, I had just enrolled in my second year at university studying economics. I was working at the small gallery of contemporary art and enjoyed daily communication with living artists, interpretations, ideation, and everything my 18-year-old brain could give to the visual arts. And for five long years, I was absolutely sure that I was doing a great {…}
(Photo: Cory Weaver/ LA Opera) After an 18-month Covid-induced hiatus, Los Angeles Opera launched its 2021-22 season with Verdi’s “Il trovatore,” in a production by Francisco Negrín, new to Los Angeles, but co-produced with Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Teatro Real (Madrid) and Royal Danish Opera (Copenhagen). While audiences were welcomed back into the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the company offered patrons the {…}
The South African Soprano Pretty Yende opened the 70th ABAO Bilbao Opera season with a solo recital accompanied by Italian pianist Michele d’Elia. She presented a balanced program that included chamber arias from Bellini, Donizetti, and the Rossini as well as Liszt’s “Tre sonetti di Petrarca,” which was a beautiful and unexpected addition to the evening. There were also a {…}
Credit: Jennifer Taylor Way Back Before Times, in Sept. 2019, violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter stopped mid-concerto to confront an audience member filming during her performance. Her beef with the velvet-chair concert documentarian centered on rudeness, lack of respect, and the fleeting nature of live music. But since there isn’t a second chance to experience the magic once the notes have {…}