VIEWPOINTS – A recap of recent contemporary operas: Huang Ruo’s AN AMERICAN SOLDIER at PAC NYC and reassessing Kevin Puts’s THE HOURS at The Met

Over the past week or so, I had the opportunity to take in two notable contemporary opera productions, the New York premiere of Huang Ruo’s An American Soldier at the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In Sutton Lee Seymour’s savvily conceived BROADWAY BARBIE, the seasoned drag queen continues to mine the musical theater songbook

This past weekend at The Green Room 42, I had the opportunity to catch the final night — at least here in New York — of Sutton Lee Seymour’s latest … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tony-winner BETTY BUCKLEY returns to Joe’s Pub with an eclectic, exquisitely-arranged set

This week, the legendary Betty Buckley returns to New York with an ambitious slate of six back-to-back shows at Joe’s Pub (I attended the second show on the first night), … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Women taking the baton: Marin Alsop conducts John Adams’ EL NIÑO and Jane Glover leads the NY PHILHARMONIC

This past week over at Lincoln Center, I was able to catch a pair of accomplished women conductors take the baton at two flagship performing arts institutions. See below for … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Classical music highlights: A new work by Thomas Adès and Steve Reich’s iconic masterpiece returns

This past week was a memorable couple of days for contemporary classical music. Over at Carnegie Hall, music fans were treated to an anticipated new work by a major composer. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In robust voice, Tony-winner ALICE RIPLEY puts her unique visceral spin on the Broadway songbook

Last night, I had the pleasure of catching Alice Ripley — a musical theater actress who deservedly won a Tony Award for her searing turn as Diane in Next to Normal — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The musically accomplished oratorio NUMBER OUR DAYS implores audiences to live life in the present moment

This past weekend, the Perelman Performing Arts Center — more succinctly known simply as PAC NYC — continued to prove its versatility both in terms of programming and as a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Terence Blanchard’s powerful contemporary opera FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES returns to The Met

This week, the Metropolitan Opera’s acclaimed production of Fire Shut Up in My Bones — a powerful contemporary opera by award-winning jazz musician Terence Blanchard (music) and Kasi Lemmons (libretto) — returned … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In her impressive NY PHIL debut, Karina Canellakis conducts with incisiveness and ample feeling

This week at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, conductor Karina Canellakis made a notable debut leading the New York Philharmonic. Currently the chief conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In its glorious Music Hall, maestro Ryan Bancroft leads CINCINNATI SYMPHONY with sensitivity and cohesion

This past Easter weekend, I ventured out west to attend a performance by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on its home turf. Led by American conductor Ryan Bancroft in his debut … Continue Reading →