Opera Company's "Norma' (2nd review)

Director Kay Walker Castaldo could have generated some excitement by setting Bellini’s Norma in present-day Palestine, Iraq or Tibet. Instead she chose the traditional setting: ancient Gaul. Just as well: At the Opera Company, for the first time this season, the voices and music dominate, and consequently this production soars musically.

Norma. Opera by Vincenzo Bellini. Opera Co. of Philadelphia production conducted by Corrado Rovaris, directed by Kay Walker C

Jim Rutter

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Astral's "Zlabys and Friends'

Astral Artistic Services demonstrates that an organization devoted to helping young performers can showcase young composers, too.

Andrius Zlabys and Friends: Levkovich, Piano Trio; Mahler, Piano Quartet; Prado, Suite de Baile piano quintet. Sharlat, piano quartet. Pavel Ilyashov, Yayra Matyakubova, Anton Jivaev, violins; Wendy Warner, cello; Andrius Zlabys, piano. Presented by Astral Artistic Services, March 30, 2008 at Trinity Center, 22

Tom Purdom

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

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

It’s been a long time since any singer so dominated the stage at the Academy of Music. Even at this early stage in her development of the role of Norma, Christine Goerke compares favorably with the all-time greats.

Norma. Opera by Vincenzo Bellini. Opera Co. of Philadelphia production conducted by Corrado Rovaris, directed by Kay Walker Castaldo. Through April 18, 2008 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Sts. (215) 732-8400 or

Steve Cohen

Apr 05, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

Orchestra's "Popul vuh'

Ginastera’s Popul vuh lends the Mayan creation myth a musical evocation worthy of its imagery.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Ginastera, Popul vuh, the Creation of the Mayan World. Leonard Slatkin, conductor. March 27-29, 2008 at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center. (215) 893-1900 or www.philorch.org.

Tom Purdom

Apr 01, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Bach Festival's Brandenburg Concertos

Bach may have thought of the Brandenburg Concertos as ensemble pieces, but they pack more oomph when they’re played like concertos. In conductor Jonathan Sternberg’s version, the soloist was just another member of the orchestra.

Bach Festival of Philadelphia: Bach Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 6, 1, 3, 2, 4, 5. Mimi Stillman, flute; Hirono Oka, violin; Geoffrey Deemer, oboe; Rachel Serber, trumpet; Charles Abramovic, harpsichord. Musicians from the Chamber Orchestra

Tom Purdom

Mar 29, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

Vox Ama Deus Mass in B Minor

Should a conductor interrupt a secular performance of a religious work with a statement that clearly reflects his own religious views? How do we define the limits of appropriate behavior in a multi-religious society?

Vox Ama Deus: Bach Mass in B Minor. Bonnie Hoke, soprano; Jody Kidwell, alto; Timothy Bentch, tenor; Ed Bara, bass. Valentin Radu, conductor. March 21, 2008 at Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center. (610) 688-2800 or

Tom Purdom

Mar 25, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Angela Meade's Met debut

It is 18 minutes after eight on Friday, March 21, and an audience of 3,500 sits in the Met awaiting one of the most difficult of all soprano arias. About to sing it is Angela Meade, a substitute artist making her Met debut with one day’s notice.

Ernani. Opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Roberto Abbado, conuctor. March 21, 26, 29 at Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, New York. (212) 362-6000 or www.metoperafamily.o

Steve Cohen

Mar 25, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read

AVA's "Kát'a Kabanová'

The AVA’s production of Leos Janacek’s Kát'a Kabanová was a significant achievement, especially when you consider the obstacles.

Kát'a Kabanová. Opera by Leos Janacek; directed by Blanka Zizka. Academy of Vocal Arts
 production Feb. 22-March 1, 2008 at Helen Corning Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St. (215) 735-1685 or www.avaopera.com.

Steve Cohen

Mar 17, 2008 · Articles · 3 minute read

Curtis Opera's 'Ainadamar'

Homage to Garcia Lorca

Ainadamar, "the fountain of tears," is a beautiful piece of music. But you must come equipped with some prior knowledge of the life and times of the poet Federico Garcia Lorca and the Spanish Civil War.

Ainadamar. Opera by Osvaldo Golijov; libretto by David Henry Hwang; directed by Chas Rader-Shieber; Corrado Rovaris, conductor. Curtis Opera Theatre production March 14-16, 2008 at Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center. (215) 893-1999 or

Steve Cohen

Mar 15, 2008 · Articles · 4 minute read

Rhorer conducts Chamber Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia introduces another winner from the Solzhenitsyn Generation: the 35-year-old French conductor Jeremie Rhorer.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Rameau, Suite from Hippolyte et Aricie; Boieldieu, Harp Concerto in C Major; Debussy, Danses sacrées et profane (Elizabeth Hainen, harp); Rameau, Suite from Les Indes galantes. Jeremie Rhorer, conductor. March 9, 2008 at Perelman Theater, Kimmel C

Tom Purdom

Mar 15, 2008 · Articles · 5 minute read