The Metropolitan Opera's 'Lulu'

A decadent opera by a civilized man

A sordid tale about sex and murder is the biggest hit of the Metropolitan Opera season. Surprisingly, its rewards are more intellectual than titillating.

Steve Cohen

Nov 24, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

Keith Richards: 'Life' and 'Under the Influence'

The importance of being Keef

It's hard to separate Keith Richards, the man, from his depraved persona, but a Netflix documentary may finally do so.

Judy Weightmanand Illustration by Mike Jackson

Nov 17, 2015 · Articles · 6 minute read

The Michelangelo Quartet makes its Philadelphia debut

Beethoven, our contemporary

The Michelangelo Quartet made its long-delayed Philadelphia debut with a program of three of the medium’s masters, Haydn, Beethoven, and Shostakovich.

Robert Zaller

Nov 17, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

AVA's 'Don Giovanni'

A libertine who almost gets away with it

The opening night patrons at AVA saw a superb performance that rivaled the Don Giovannis of major opera houses.

Steve Cohen

Nov 10, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Stillman and Abramovic; Prism Quartet; Bengtson

CDs featuring Philly-area performers

Three recent CDs highlight performances by Philadelphia area musicians.

Nov 09, 2015 · Articles · 4 minute read

'Chopin without Piano' at Fringe Arts

A perverse concept

Some of Barbara Wysocka's theatricality crossed the line into sensationalism, but the overall effect of the performance was highly stimulating, as she revealed a vivid sense of history and also a deep love for the music of Chopin.

Nov 03, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Loreena McKennitt at the Keswick

A musical odyssey

Over a career now spanning three decades, Loreena McKennitt remains a singular artist who resists easy categorization.

Mark Wolverton

Nov 03, 2015 · Articles · 3 minute read

Marin Alsop Conducts the Shostakovich Fifth

'This game may end badly'

The Philadelphia Orchestra stepped through its paces as a chamber ensemble, a jazz band, and a full symphonic ensemble in its program with guest conductor Marin Alsop.

Robert Zaller

Nov 03, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

On the importance of melody

Myth and melody

Music isn’t broken into the three parts of melody, harmony, and rhythm. It’s just melody.

Kile Smith

Oct 27, 2015 · Articles · 5 minute read

In search of Philadelphia operas

Kitty Foyle and yellow fever, set to music?

With all this operatic creativity, money, and synergy in Philadelphia nowadays, how come no one past or present has written an opera that takes place in Philadelphia?

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 27, 2015 · Articles · 6 minute read