L.A. Opera’s 'Lucia', Brilliantly Retold as an American Tragedy
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Honorable mention also goes to L.A. Opera’s new chorus director Jeremy Frank, who enlivens many scenes with choruses that are fully engaging and energetic.
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Beethoven Ninth and Utopian Brotherhood at the Bowl
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Samy Moussa’s Elysium (U.S. premiere) made a fitting companion piece to the mighty Beethoven Ninth, echoing these words from the chorale finale “Elysium… [where] all men shall become brothers”.
Read MoreTuesday Night Fever - Nobu Plays Rach 2
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First and foremost, Nobu is a fine pianist who has something fresh to say in Rachmaninoff’s well-worn Second Concerto, and says it eloquently and elegantly.
Read MoreA Bittersweet Tchaikovsky Spectacular Concert Draws Capacity Crowd
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The Ukrainian national anthem preceded the Star-Spangled Banner, ostensibly to counterbalance the effect of the 1812 Overture celebrating Russian military victory.
Read MoreFlight of Valkyries at the Bowl, in Spacesuits
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Yuval Sharon’s electronic “décor” is probably closer to Wagner’s scenic directions than that of many a contemporary (or traditional) production.
Read MoreDudamel Leads a Definitive ‘West Side Story’ at the Bowl
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In my view, this Dudamel-led reading at the Bowl was the definitive “West Side Story”, surpassing the film soundtrack in authenticity, breadth and depth.
Read MoreJoyful Mozart and Mahler Ends Pacific Symphony Season
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Seated face-to-face across two pianos placed side by side, the two sisters showed an extraordinary and satisfying rapport, in their dialogs and their ability to finish each other’s sentences instinctively.
Read MoreUkrainian Pianist Conquers Emperor Concerto in His OC Return
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The 38-year-old pianist, hailing from Ukraine by way of Italy, is an estimable artist possessing a forceful, sparkling right hand and a supremely lyrical left hand…
Read MoreA Hot Night on the Nile
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The flame burns the brightest with the Radames of tenor Russell Thomas, who combines elegance with fire, in phrasing and in control of dynamics.
Read MoreA Night with Mozart and Salieri, and the Amazing Pacific Chorale
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Marco Barricelli could not erase the memory of F. Murray Abraham; nonetheless, he managed to inject some semblance of humanity into the Hollywood caricature of Salieri’s character.
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