Classical Music

Opera Review: Antonio Salieri’s “Tarare” — A Startling Opera of Social Commentary

December 5, 2019
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Tarare is simply one of the most important operas of the Classic era, precisely because it challenges so many aspects of Classic-era “normality.” You won’t believe your ears.

Opera Review: BEMF’s “La storia di Orfeo” — A Musical Triumph

December 5, 2019
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I do not know how BEMF will ever top this. Bravo tutti!

Opera Review: Ready for a Very Different “Faust”? You Should Be!

December 3, 2019
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Even taking into consideration my several objections, this Faust is one of the most accomplished and intriguing opera releases of recent years.

Opera Preview: Opera North’s “All Is Calm” — Peaceful Interlude

December 2, 2019
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All is Calm juxtaposes the gravity (some might say the idiocy) of war with the simple human gestures that the opposing sides extended to each other during a remarkable cease fire.

Opera Review: Pauline Viardot’s and Ivan Turgenev’s First-Rate Fairy Opera Rediscovered

December 2, 2019
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Colorful, characterful, and full of worldly wisdom, The Last Sorcerer—by a skilled and imaginative composer, to a text by the great Russian novelist— receives a superb world-premiere recording, with Met mezzo Jamie Barton and bass-baritone Eric Owens.

Concert Review: Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at Symphony Hall

November 26, 2019
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The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s first appearance of the season presented canonical selections without a hint of complacency or apathy.

Concert Review: L.A. Philharmonic — Gustavo Dudamel and Yuja Wang

November 25, 2019
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The charmed trifecta of John Adams, Yuja Wang, and Gustavo Dudamel produced a hit, at least to this Boston audience.

Concert Review: Henry Purcell Society — The Delights of Going Mad

November 20, 2019
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The Henry Purcell Society proves that playing mad can be a lot of fun.

Classical CD Reviews: Two Holiday Albums That Strike Like Thunderbolts

November 20, 2019
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These superbly produced — and sung, played, and conducted — holiday music albums are perfect stocking stuffers.

Classical CD Reviews: Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Ives, Conrad Tao’s “American Rage,” and Gianandrea Noseda conducts Shostakovich

November 19, 2019
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Michael Tilson Thomas delivers a towering Ives Fourth; pianist Conrad Tao’s American Rage is hard-edged and defiant, but also poignant and stirring; Gianandrea Noseda’s Shostakovich Fourth is ferocious.

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