THE HANGOVER REPORT – Maestro Andris Nelsons leads the BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in an accomplished program including Tania León, Ravel, and Stravinsky

Last night, the Boston Symphony Orchestra returned to New York to play the first of two concerts at Carnegie Hall. Led by maestro Andris Nelsons — who recently announced the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Under Maestro Nézet-Séguin, THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA shines in a crowd-pleasing program

Last night, the Philadelphia Orchestra returned to Carnegie Hall — arguably the storied ensemble’s home away from home — with an accessible, well-curated program comprised of works by composers with … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – NYGASP brings back its smartly re-framed production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE MIKADO

This past weekend at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, I attended a performance of The Mikado courtesy of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players — or “NYGASP”, for … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Music director Jaap van Zweden returns to the NY PHIL, purposefully leading a classics-laden program

This week at Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic’s out-bound music director Jaap van Zweden returned to to the podium to conduct the orchestra at David Geffen Hall for the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – STORM LARGE returns to New York in a relatively introspective mood with “Inside Voice” at 54 Below

This week, Storm Large returned to New York for a set of cabaret performances at 54 Below. Known for her larger-than-life personality, the Pink Martini singer has captivated fans (including … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Contrasting nights at the Met: A new, revisionist staging of CARMEN and a sturdily traditional revival of NABUCCO

On consecutive evenings this week, I had the opportunity to take in back-to-back viewings of contrasting productions at the Metropolitan Opera. As per usual, read on for my thoughts. CARMENThe … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – THE BEST OF 2023: Theater, Music, and Dance

With 2023 officially behind us, I’ve taken some time to look back at the year to take stock and assess the performances that have stood out and risen to the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – A fresh, young secondary cast of THE MAGIC FLUTE injects life into the Met’s holiday presentation of the Mozart favorite

Fantastical spectacle aside, Mozart’s The Magic Flute is a strange opera for family holiday consumption — which is exactly how the Metropolitan Opera has marketed and programmed the popular singspiel. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Swinging though the holidays: A SWINGING BIRDLAND CHRISTMAS and Norm Lewis croons with the the NY POPS

In recent days, I had the great pleasure of enjoying a pair of Christmastime concerts that had me swinging through the holiday weekend. As always, read on for my thoughts. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – A new holiday tradition: John Adams’ powerfully distilled EL NIÑO: NATIVITY RECONSIDERED is accessible yet revisionist

Last night at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, I attended my third Christnastime oratorio, John Adams and Peter Sellars’ El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered (you can read my joint review … Continue Reading →