Bach Festival's "St. John Passion' and anti-Semitism

Bach, King Frederick and the Jews

Why did Bach immortalize the anti-Jewish Gospel of St. John? The question is worth considering during times of racial and religious intolerance, such as the present.

Steve Cohen

Apr 17, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Massenet's "Manon' at the Met

Those thighs, that bosom, that voice

When Anna Netrebko as the shameless Manon seduces Des Grieux the priest, the chemistry is hotter than Carmen's seduction of Don José. She was in terrific voice too, even though the action made it hard to focus on the singing.

Steve Cohen

Apr 17, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

View from the percussion section

Where are we? Or: My brilliant career as a percussionist

So you think it's easy to play percussion in an orchestra? That's what I thought, until I tried it.

Kile Smith

Apr 10, 2012 · Articles · 6 minute read

Verdi's "Requiem' by Vox Ama Deus

Vox confronts the 19th Century

Valentin Radu once again expanded the range of Vox Ama Deus, taking on the passion and flamboyance of a 19th-Century masterpiece that's generally performed by large modern orchestras.

Tom Purdom

Apr 10, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Piffaro's 'West Becomes East'

Subverting the Conquistadores

The Spanish Conquistadores brought Renaissance and Baroque music to South America's native cultures. But as Piffaro's latest program demonstrated, the natives put their own stamp on everything from Psalms to Christmas.

Tom Purdom

Apr 03, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Lyric Fest's salute to 1912

La Belle Epoque's last gasp

Lyric Fest's celebration of the music of 1912 provided a reminder of the cultural richness of La Belle Epoque, just before it died in the slaughter of the First World War.

Tom Purdom

Mar 27, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Henze's "Elegy For Young Lovers'

Never trust a megalomaniacal poet

In a well-sung and well-played production, Hans Werner Henze's 1961 composition, Elegy For Young Lovers, lived up to its advance hype. The drama, alas, did not.

Steve Cohen

Mar 24, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

Between Bach and "O-o-h Child'

Kicking down the (musical) door, then and now

What does the drummer in “O-o-h Child” by the Five Stairsteps have in common with the cellist in a Bach Cantata? Well, try listening to either work without them.

Kile Smith

Mar 20, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Mussorgsky's "Khovanshchina ' at the Met

Perpetually suffering Russia

The Metropolitan Opera's revival of Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina, rarely performed outside Russia, is a primer in the history of that country's unexampled suffering, and, for all its flaws, a testament to our common humanity.

Robert Zaller

Mar 20, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Max Raabe's Weimar cabaret at the Merriam

Old world, new sound

Max Raabe's burnished baritone voice, pomaded hair, white satin bow tie, tails and patent leather shoes all speak of a gentler time in Germany, before the unspeakable crimes committed in World War II.

Merilyn Jackson

Mar 17, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read