The Met invades the movie house

After experiencing the New York Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" for the first time, I am torn. It’s not the real thing— not even close. On the other hand, there are no bad seats.

Be'eri Moalem

Apr 12, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Philadelphia Singers: Haydn and Mozart

The Philadelphia Singers celebrated their 35th birthday-- and a more secure future-- with two of their all-time favorites.

Philadelphia Singers: Haydn, Missa in Angustiis (“Nelson Mass”) in D minor: Rachel Levine, soprano; Sandra Carney, mezzo-soprano; Kenneth Garner, tenor; James Stieber, bass. Mozart, Vesperae Solennes di Confessore: Heidi Kurtz, soprano; Alyson Harvey, mezzo-soprano; Steven Bradshaw, tenor; Franklin Phillips, baritone. Ch

Tom Purdom

Apr 12, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Yuja Wang with St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Every now and then a concert comes along that reminds one why music-making is man’s most joyous activity. It would be nice to see our own resident orchestra loosened up and having such fun. As for Yuja Wang, we are going to hear much more of her.

Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields: Mozart, Mendelssohn, Haydn. Yuja Wang, piano; Neville Mariner, conductor. April 9, 2008 at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center. (215) 893-1999 or www.k

Robert Zaller

Apr 11, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Schubert vs. Beethoven

Dan Coren meditates on Schubert’s Eighth and Ninth Symphonies, which Christoph Eschenbach will conduct in mid-May, and on the paradoxical co-existence of Schubert and Beethoven in the Vienna of the 1820s. No other composer's death left such a gaping hole in a world that might have been.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Schubert Eighth (“Unfinished”) Symphony in B minor, Ninth (“Great”) Symphony in C major. Christoph Eschenbach, conductor. May 15-16-17, 2008 at

Dan Coren

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 6 minute read

Opera Company's "Norma' (2nd review)

Director Kay Walker Castaldo could have generated some excitement by setting Bellini’s Norma in present-day Palestine, Iraq or Tibet. Instead she chose the traditional setting: ancient Gaul. Just as well: At the Opera Company, for the first time this season, the voices and music dominate, and consequently this production soars musically.

Norma. Opera by Vincenzo Bellini. Opera Co. of Philadelphia production conducted by Corrado Rovaris, directed by Kay Walker C

Jim Rutter

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Astral's "Zlabys and Friends'

Astral Artistic Services demonstrates that an organization devoted to helping young performers can showcase young composers, too.

Andrius Zlabys and Friends: Levkovich, Piano Trio; Mahler, Piano Quartet; Prado, Suite de Baile piano quintet. Sharlat, piano quartet. Pavel Ilyashov, Yayra Matyakubova, Anton Jivaev, violins; Wendy Warner, cello; Andrius Zlabys, piano. Presented by Astral Artistic Services, March 30, 2008 at Trinity Center, 22

Tom Purdom

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Opera Company's "Norma' (1st review)

It’s been a long time since any singer so dominated the stage at the Academy of Music. Even at this early stage in her development of the role of Norma, Christine Goerke compares favorably with the all-time greats.

Norma. Opera by Vincenzo Bellini. Opera Co. of Philadelphia production conducted by Corrado Rovaris, directed by Kay Walker Castaldo. Through April 18, 2008 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Sts. (215) 732-8400 or

Steve Cohen

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

Orchestra's "Popul vuh'

Ginastera’s Popul vuh lends the Mayan creation myth a musical evocation worthy of its imagery.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Ginastera, Popul vuh, the Creation of the Mayan World. Leonard Slatkin, conductor. March 27-29, 2008 at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center. (215) 893-1900 or www.philorch.org.

Tom Purdom

Apr 01, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Bach Festival's Brandenburg Concertos

Bach may have thought of the Brandenburg Concertos as ensemble pieces, but they pack more oomph when they’re played like concertos. In conductor Jonathan Sternberg’s version, the soloist was just another member of the orchestra.

Bach Festival of Philadelphia: Bach Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 6, 1, 3, 2, 4, 5. Mimi Stillman, flute; Hirono Oka, violin; Geoffrey Deemer, oboe; Rachel Serber, trumpet; Charles Abramovic, harpsichord. Musicians from the Chamber Orchestra

Tom Purdom

Mar 29, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

Vox Ama Deus Mass in B Minor

Should a conductor interrupt a secular performance of a religious work with a statement that clearly reflects his own religious views? How do we define the limits of appropriate behavior in a multi-religious society?

Vox Ama Deus: Bach Mass in B Minor. Bonnie Hoke, soprano; Jody Kidwell, alto; Timothy Bentch, tenor; Ed Bara, bass. Valentin Radu, conductor. March 21, 2008 at Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center. (610) 688-2800 or

Tom Purdom

Mar 25, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read