(Credit: Clive Barda) Internationally renowned baritone Christian Gerhaher sang Mahler on Tuesday evening at the Herbst Theater, San Francisco alongside noted German pianist Gerold Huber. It was intimacy in a public space, and superb. The range, the expressivity, the pairing of words, music, and thought encapsulated Mahler’s genius beautifully. We go to Mahler’s songs for an intimate exploration of life {…}
I will admit that I came to my appreciation of Mahler’s Symphony No 3 later than the rest of his masterpieces. And attending the recent, dynamic performance mounted by conductor Leon Botstein, leading The Bard College Conservatory Orchestra with the addition of the college’s Chamber Singers, Festival Chorale, and a ‘Preparatory’ Chorus, I understood why that was. Mind you, right {…}
The NY Philharmonic has announced its 2019-20 season! Music Director Jaap van Zweden will lead the orchestra through the 2019-20 season, showcasing the works of contemporary and classic composers. In addition to resonating with its audience at home, the NY Phil will go on tour and connect with audiences in Europe and Asia. Series highlights will include: Project 19, a celebration {…}
I have attended many great performances of Mahler’s Second Symphony, the so-called “Resurrection.” The scale of the piece — requiring ten trumpets, two harps, organ, vocal soloists, chorus, and even a fernorchester (a distant orchestra) — means that any performance of this powerful masterpiece is an event. Two memorable performances I attended occurred at the Tanglewood Festival, one led by Sejii {…}
Since Andris Nelsons became the 21st Gewandhauskapellmeister of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig in February 2018, he has started to plan a European tour to represent this great collaboration with the orchestra. This tour features appearances in London, in Frankfurt, Mannheim, and Dortmund in Germany, in Malmo and Stockholm in Sweden, as well as in Nelsons’ homeland, Latvia — in Riga and in {…}
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, born on August 28, 1749, is one of the great German writers in history. Unsurprisingly, his literary prowess has inspired a wide range of operatic works, many of which are staples of the canon. Here is a survey of operas based on the works of Goethe. Faust Goethe’s masterwork is undeniably the source of many operas. {…}
Gustav Mahler, born on July 7, 1860, is one of the greatest composers of all time. He was also one of the finest conductors the world has ever seen as well. Mahler’s career is monumental to be sure, with the composer spending a decade at the Vienna Court Opera, where he presented 33 news operas to the repertory for the {…}
Baritone Thomas Hampson is one of the most intellectually-inspiring artists in the opera world. Born on June 28, 1955, the baritone is one of the most thoughtful and insightful people in the business. Just listen to an interview (see below). The Indiana native sang as a child and studied at the Eastern Washington State College, majoring in political science and {…}
We go to Mahler for wisdom and depth and to Elina Garanca for beauty and rich interpretation. Both were present Sunday morning at the Wiener Konzerthaus. The Wiener Philharmoniker, conducted by the dynamic Venezuelan conductor, Raphael Payare, book-ended Mahler’s “Funf Lied (Five Ruckert Songs),” plus one song from “Der Knaben Wunderhorn,” with Beethoven’s Leonore Overture and Bartok’s Concerto For Orchestra. {…}
The Music Academy of the West has announced its 71st season which is set for June 11, 2018. The festival will run through August 11, 2018, and will star some of the greatest artists in the world of opera and classical music. As has been the case for these season announcements, the focus will be solely on opera and vocal {…}
He’s 36 years old. He lives in an RV that he uses to travel across the US. He’s coming off a summer in which he scored one of his greatest career victories to date. And he’s also that rare breed of dramatic tenor that takes well to Wagner’s operas. He’s so adept at the musical style that he is the {…}