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Ansellem (seated), Hymel: Who painted that background?

Opera Company's "La Bohème'

With a litle help from Van Gogh and Renoir

When computer programs bring Impressionist paintings to life, an old chestnut like La Bohème becomes a whole new experience without sacrificing its setting or story.

Steve Cohen

Oct 02, 2012 Articles 4 minute read

Chamber Orchestra: Brossé, Beethoven and Gatto

The Belgian connection

Dirk Brossé opened the Chamber Orchestra season with one of his own pieces and introduced Americans to a high-powered fellow Belgian violinist.

Tom Purdom

Oct 02, 2012 Articles 3 minute read

Choral Arts' Rachmaninov "Vespers'

Cossacks in the cathedral

Choral Arts Philadelphia presented Rachmaninov's Vespers in an ideal setting, even if the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul rests on a slightly different religious tradition.

Tom Purdom

Oct 02, 2012 Articles 3 minute read

2012-13 music preview: Nine great coming attractions

From Yannick to the Black Watch: Nine music programs I wouldn't miss

Yannick, Ignat, Hilary Hahn, Natalie Zhu, bagpipes”¦ my cup runneth over for Philadelphia's coming music season. Here are nine programs I'm marking on my calendar.

Tom Purdom

Sep 25, 2012 Articles 4 minute read

Orchestra 2001's John Cage centennial

Learning to love John Cage

How can anyone take an eccentric “composer” like John Cage seriously? The answer, as Orchestra 2001 demonstrated, involves looking beyond his admittedly bizarre antics.

Tom Purdom

Sep 18, 2012 Articles 5 minute read

Paul Simon knows what I'm talking about.

Why computers can't replace composers

But can a computer say ‘Oo oo oo'?

Computers already beat chess masters and produce notes for composers. But could they replace Beethoven or Puccini some day? The answer is no, for three reasons.

Kile Smith

Sep 11, 2012 Articles 5 minute read

Poor Richard's "Falstaff' at Fringe Festival

By raising surtitles to a supporting role, Poor Richard's Opera multiplied the fun that Verdi and Shakespeare built into the adventures of Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff. Opera by Giuseppe Verdi, from Shakespeare's play. Siddhartha Misra, stage director; Laurie Rogers, music director/conductor/surtitles; Ting Ting Wong, piano; Jeremy Gill, alternate conductor. Poor Richard's Opera production for Philadelphia Fringe Festival through September 15, 2012 at Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St. livearts-fringe.ticketleap.com/falstaff.

Tom Purdom

Sep 11, 2012 Articles 3 minute read

One generation's heartthrob is another generation's joke.

Perry Como, forgotten man

Where have you gone, Perry Como?

Perry Como was America's Number One pop vocalist for more than a decade, but his fame never impressed him. His hometown has moved on as well, as I discovered on a recent visit.

Steve Cohen

Sep 10, 2012 Articles 3 minute read

Daniel Bernard Roumain got his break as Lady Gaga's backup.

Classical music, dead or alive: A debate

He sees the present, I see the future

After 40 years of representing Classical musicians, my agent is giving up. He offers an impressive list of reasons why serious music is doomed. But where he sees disaster, I see opportunity— especially if Classical musicians are genuinely creative.