THE HANGOVER REPORT – Ravishing music-making permeates the Met’s triumphant revival of DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN

Any chance to catch the rarely-performed opera Die Frau ohne Schatten is an opportunity well worth taking. The fourth of the stories collaborations between composer Richard Strauss and poet/librettist Hugo … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Holiday cheer for adults only: JOE ICONIS and JACKIE BEAT craft Christmastime entertainments that are more naughty than nice

Over the course of the past week or so, I had the chance to take in a pair of Christmastime entertainments for adults, and are by design definitely more naughty … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – HANDEL’S MESSIAH, two-ways: Assessing New York Philharmonic’s spirited rendition beside Trinity Church’s urgent take on the beloved oratorio

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to compare, side-by-side, arguably two of New York’s premiere presentations of Handel’s Messiah. As always, read on below for my thoughts on these … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Bespoke, immersive music-making: JOURNEY LIVE at BAM and Death of Classical’s THE LITTE MATCH GIRL PASSION

This past week, I pursued two live music experience that immersed audiences in compelling and unique ways beyond your typical concert outing. Here are my thoughts on these adventurously bespoke … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Singer-songwriters completely of their own creation: BEN ABRAHAM at Joe’s Pub and WILL WOOD at The Bitter End

This week, I encountered two singer-songwriters completely of their own creation. As per usual, read on for my thoughts. BEN ABRAHAM CHRISTMAS SPECIALJoe’s Pub On Wednesday night, I had the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kirill Petrenko leads the BERLIN PHILHARMONIC in an indisputably masterful reading of Bruckner’s Fifth

On Monday night, I had the great pleasure of catching the mighty Berlin Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. Led by the Philharmonic’s music director — Russian-Austrian conductor Kirill Petrenko — the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – After recent turn of events, an evening with JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND turned out to be just the right antidote

It’s safe to say that many of us were deeply affected by the turn of events earlier this month. That being said, it turned out that all I needed to … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Susanna Mälkki incisively conducts the NY PHILHARMONIC, producing an existential soundtrack for our times

One usually goes to the concert hall to escape the realities of life. But on a recent visit to David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, I was struck by how … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Osvaldo Golijov’s fiery opera AINADAMAR makes its Met debut in an evocative, dreamy production

The major mounting of any contemporary opera is cause for attention — especially during this challenging period for that most extravagant of art forms — which is the reason why … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – CHRISTINA BIANCO makes a rare New York appearance with her inspired Barbra Streisand tribute show

Last evening for just a single late night performance, Christina Bianco made a rare New York appearance — the beloved funny lady now calls London her home (in fact, she … Continue Reading →