Concert and opera reviews from Southern California.
Over a span of two days (December 17-18), the LA Phil demonstrated its astonishing virtuosity and versatility by playing a dark tragic opera and a lighthearted ballet back to back.
Read MoreIt was Gustavo Dudamel’s first Wagnerian outing at the Disney Hall and he conducted like a pro, unleashing stunning intensity and incandescent beauty from the L.A. Phil.
Read MoreMusically, this new Tosca cast is perhaps more exciting than the last. Angel Blue, singing her first Tosca in L.A., commands a fresh and bright soprano voice…
Read MoreIn a span of two weeks, we heard the L.A. Phil play under two exciting new conductors – Xian Zhang from China, Gustavo Gimeno from Spain – who also introduced intriguing new works by their prospective countrymen.
Read MoreRhiannon Giddens’ libretto successfully condenses Said’s book into a series of dramatic scenes that culminate in the unforgettable Act II slave auction scene…
Read MoreAfter six years at the helm of Birmingham, Mirga is taking her UK orchestra to the U.S. for an eight-city farewell tour (Los Angeles being their third stop on Wednesday, October 12.)
Read MoreSpanish violinist María Dueñas played like a force of nature and with a winning smile, even after she broke the strings on her Strad…
Read MoreHonorable 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.
Read MoreSamy 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 MoreFirst 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.
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