“Don Giovanni” at the Metropolitan Opera
by Steven Pisano In Michael Grandage's production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni now playing at the Metropolitan Opera, the snarling balls of flame that rocket up from the stage as the […]
“Independence Eve”: An Opera in Progress About Race Relations in America
by Steven Pisano Independence Eve is a three-scene chamber opera by Sidney Marquez Boquiren currently under development by American Opera Projects that explores different viewpoints on black-white relations in America. On Tuesday, February 5, the
Scandinavia 2015: Danish National Symphony Orchestra at the Koncerthuset
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - In addition to being the 150th anniversary of Sibelius' birth, 2015 is also the 150th anniversary of the birth of Denmark's best-known composer, Carl Nielsen. So, imagine my
Scandinavia 2015: Royal Danish Opera Academy Concert at the Royal Danish Theater
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - On the night I arrived in Copenhagen, the main event in town was the world premiere of the new opera sun goes up, sun goes down, commissioned from Danish composer Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen
Scandinavia 2015: A Finnish Song Recital and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic at the Konserthuset
STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Stockholm's Konserthuset, a striking neo-classical structure with art deco motifs, was built in 1926 facing the city's old hay market (Hötorget.) To most of the world, the Konserthuset is
“Oscar” at Opera Philadelphia
by Steven Pisano Oscar Wilde once said early in his life: “Somehow or other I’ll be famous, and if not famous, I’ll be notorious.” Well, Wilde was both. His fame as
Scandinavia 2015: Julia & Romeo and a Lunchtime Concert at the Royal Swedish Opera
STOCKHOLM, Sweden – After a few more days in Norway, a short flight brought me to the Swedish capital, which, even in the snow – or perhaps because of it
Scandinavia 2015: Peer Gynt at the Norwegian National Opera
OSLO, Norway - Thanks to a confluence of fortunate circumstances – primarily some aggressively low airfares – I had the chance to visit Scandinavia for the first time last month. Scandinavia? In
Chris Potter & Underground Orchestra at The Jazz Standard
by Nick Stubblefield There are a lot of musicians that dedicate their careers to making experimental music. There are a lot of others that just want to create something that's