Mysteries of conducting, with Sean Newhouse

What do conductors really do? A conversation with Sean Newhouse

What does an orchestra conductor really accomplish when he waves his baton? The Boston Symphony's young assistant Sean Newhouse, rushed into the spotlight this year to replace the ailing maestro James Levine, reflects on aspects of his job that most audiences take for granted.

Victor L. Schermer

Oct 09, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Richard Burgin's "Shadow Traffic'

Persecutors and victims, or: Who is seducing whom?

Richard Burgin's new story collection, Shadow Traffic, confirms his standing as one of America's masters of short fiction. With a voice uniquely his own, he creates a world of urban anomie and dread that Kafka would recognize.

Robert Zaller

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 8 minute read

Tony Bennett's "Duets II' CD

Who is Tony Bennett's best singing partner? And the answer is…..

Yielding to an old gimmick in his 80s, the crooner Tony Bennett has produced two albums of duets sung with contemporary singers. Some of these duets work better than others, but the prime attraction, as always, is Bennett himself.

Armen Pandola

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Opera Company's "Carmen' (1st review)

Don José's really, really difficult choice

Bizet would have liked this production of his overexposed Carmen. Its format is less operatic and more realistic, filling in plot details while it fills out the characters— an approach that heightens audience involvement in the story.

Steve Cohen

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Piffaro's "Spanish Pipers in the New World'

In place of an organ, a few dozen recorders will suffice

Piffaro explored a historical subject— the spread of European music to the Spanish conquests in the New World— without any of the extras the group usually likes to apply to historical themes.

Tom Purdom

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Look! on Lancaster Avenue'

Is Powelton Village the next Greenwich Village?

Forlorn and barely noticed, Powelton Village has been populated for decades by a vibrant, talented and insular group of artists. Now it's trying to create public buzz, which could be the neighborhood's undoing.

Madeline Schaefer

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Hiring local actors: triumph or calamity?

All-Philadelphia casts: Is this good news or bad?

Philadelphia's Arden and Wilma theaters open their seasons this month with large-cast plays populated by local actors. That's a tribute to the growing wealth of local talent available— and also cause for concern that directors are getting too comfy and complacent in their own provincial backyard.

Jim Rutter

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 4 minute read

Matisse and Barnes: A tale of two museums

When Henri met Albert: A tale of two museums

Henri Matisse was one of the three great revolutionary artists (with Picaso and Duchamp) of the early 20th Century; Albert Barnes was a brilliant collector of revolutionary art. They made a great team until Barnes's insufferable personality drove Matisse away, with consequences that still reverberate today.

Richard Carreño

Oct 04, 2011 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Here and Now' at the Art Museum (2nd review)

Hidden treasures in our back yard

Ten diverse Philadelphia artists follow their own dreams and goals— an exciting exercise that raises plenty of questions and begs for a sequel or more.

Anne R. Fabbri

Oct 02, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Steven Soderbergh's "Contagion'

Revenge of the bats

Steven Soderbergh's Contagion, a film about a super-deadly virus on the loose, is a transparent parable of the War on Terror in which only dedicated scientists and stern-jawed military types can save the nation and the world. Really, with heroes like these, can't we just bring back the Terminator?

Robert Zaller

Oct 01, 2011 · Articles · 6 minute read