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Not to be refilled. (Photo by Daniel Rubin via citypaper.net)

Farewell, 'City Paper'

BSR’s new writer muses about the demise of Philadelphia City Paper, which ceases publication this week.

Mark Cofta

Oct 06, 2015 Articles 3 minute read

Eileen Myles: A countercultural legend (Photo by Libby Lewis)

Poet Eileen Myles at the Penn Book Center

Eileen Myles’s reading at Penn Book Center gave fans a glimpse into the writing career of one of contemporary poetry’s biggest names. Her informal, conversational manner made the crowded reading feel unexpectedly intimate, making Myles’s words all the more powerful.

Peter Myers

Oct 06, 2015 Articles 5 minute read

Lizzy Caplan and Michael Sheen as Johnson and Masters in “Masters of Sex.” (Photo © 2015 Showtime)

Showtime's 'Masters of Sex'

Sex, lies, and Showtime

The extent of how fast and loose Showtime's Masters of Sex adaptation plays with the truth makes Oliver Stone appear a better bet to satisfy Diogenes than any of those responsible for this fib-a-thon.

Bob Levin

Oct 06, 2015 Articles 5 minute read

Hvorostovsky acknowledging well-deserved ovations. (photo by Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera)

Met Opera's 'Il Trovatore'

A grand operatic experience

The Met Opera season opener was an emotional and artistic triumph. Eight days later came a spectacular live performance simulcast on movie screens.

Steve Cohen

Oct 06, 2015 Articles 4 minute read

Oropesa and friends: The good old days, before antibiotics and therapy. (Photo: Kelly & Massa.)

Opera Philadelphia’s ‘La Traviata’

Violetta sans context

Verdi’s La Traviata is a 19th-century gift that keeps on giving, and therein lies its problem: Directors can’t resist the temptation to tinker with it.

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 06, 2015 Articles 5 minute read

Pianist Daniil Trifonov played orchestra fave Rachmaninoff.

The Philadelphia Orchestra opens the 2015-2016 season

Past, present, and future of a Philadelphia institution

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s past and present were on spectacular display, but the future is in danger. Nice words were exchanged while negotiations are at a perilous point.

Steve Cohen

Oct 04, 2015 Articles 3 minute read

Publicity photo of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra from “The Dean Martin Show.” (Creative Commons via Wikimedia)

Philly Pops celebrates Sinatra centennial

It's Friday with Frank again! and Saturday with Dino!

The Great American Songbook has become a lasting part of our cultural heritage because of the constantly evolving interpretations of these standards. Sinatra and Martin recorded many songs multiple times throughout their long careers, each performance changing as their lives had changed. It is little wonder that new performers keep on finding new ways to sing and new arrangers find unique ways to present these songs.

Armen Pandola

Oct 04, 2015 Articles 6 minute read

The ultimate geeky Everyman: Matt Damon in “The Martian.” (Photo by Aidan Monaghan - © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.)

Ridley Scott's 'The Martian'

Science in a leading role

The Martian is far more than rah-rah flag-waving space-geek boosterism. It is, instead, a paean to humanity's exploratory drive, survival instinct, and most of all, intelligence.