Orchestra's "Discovery' concert

How to reach a younger audience? The Orchestra is currently trying a policy that puts unfamiliar music in front of people who actually want to give it a try. At this concert, the crowd was definitely coffeehouse age.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Rihm, Verwandlung 2; Reinecke, Flute Concerto in D Major (Jeffrey Khaner, flute); Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring. Christoph Eschenbach, conductor. September 27, 2007 at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center. (215) 893-1900 or

Tom Purdom

Oct 13, 2007 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Countess Maritza' by Concert Operetta Theater

A star is born

An unknown tenor and a forgotten operetta combined for a performance that knocked me out. Keep your eyes open for Cody Austin in the future.

Countess Maritza, Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán. 
Original book and lyrics by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald; 
English version by Nigel Douglas. James Batt, music director and piano. Concert Operetta Theater production October 6 -7, 2007 at Helen Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St. (215) 389-0

Steve Cohen

Oct 13, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Dolce Suono: Trios by four composers

Dolce Suono spotlights the creativity of four Philadelphia composers and the potential of an unfamiliar form: the trio for flute, cello and piano. Are we living in a second Baroque period without realizing it?

Dolce Suono: Rorem Trio for Flute, Violoncello, and Piano; Cacioppo Snake Dance Trio (Soyohim Kachina); Abramovic Beasts; Crumb Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whales). Mimi Stillman, flute; Yumi Kendall, cello; Charles Abramovic, pia

Tom Purdom

Oct 13, 2007 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Countess Maritza' by Concert Operetta Theater

An unknown tenor and a forgotten operetta combined for a performance that knocked me out. Keep your eyes open for Cody Austin in the future.

Countess Maritza, Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán. 
Original book and lyrics by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald; 
English version by Nigel Douglas. James Batt, music director and piano. Concert Operetta Theater production October 6 -7, 2007 at Helen Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St. (215) 389-0

Steve Cohen

Oct 13, 2007 · Articles · 5 minute read

OCP's "Rigoletto' (1st review)

Verdi’s 1850 masterpiece has always progressed as a complete piece, not a bilious framework of its arias. But Robert B. Driver’s kinetic direction keeps it completely involving, every element framing a finely tuned vocal production.

Rigoletto. Music by Giuseppe Verdi; directed by Robert Driver. Opera Company of Philadelphia through Oct. 17, 2007 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Sts. (215) 732-8400 or www.operaphill

Lewis Whittington

Oct 09, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Chamber Orchestra plays Berg

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia’s second concert of the season was brilliantly conceived and executed, with Alban Berg’s exacting and rarely performed masterwork, the Concerto for Piano and Violin with Thirteen Wind Instruments, as the centerpiece. The result, for the happy few on hand, was what is likely to be one of the most memorable evenings of the season.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Berg, Harbison, Stravinsky, Persichetti. September 28-30, 2007

Robert Zaller

Oct 02, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

TV cameras at Verizon

Two large screens hovering over the stage, providing close-up views of the performers, were unveiled at this fall’s Orchestra opening. That means no more watching the back of Eschenbach’s head! Just a few problems….

Dan Rottenberg

Oct 02, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Purdom's picks for 2007-08

A reviewer with oscillating tastes lists his higher hopes for the new season.

Tom Purdom

Sep 25, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Orchestra's "Rite of Spring'

Christoph Eschenbach’s authoritative and ferocious reading of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring more than made up for my sitting inside on a perfect autumn day.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Tchaikovsky First Symphony, Stravinsky Rite of Spring. Christoph Eschenbach, conductor. Sept. 23, 2007 at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center. www.philorch.org or (215) 893.1900.

Dan Coren

Sep 25, 2007 · Articles · 2 minute read

Lyric Fest's "Shakespeare: A Biography in Music

Lyric Fest presents a crowded profile of an internationally successful songwriter and librettist.

Lyric Fest: “William Shakespeare, a Biography in Music.” Lyrics by William Shakespeare, music by various. Markus Beam, Kiera Duffy, Suzanne DuPlantis, Bryan Hymel, Jody Kidwell, Randi Marrazzo, Jaquita Mitchell, Mark Moliterno, vocalists; Laura Ward, piano. Jim Bergwall, actor. September 23, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church, 21st and Walnut. (215

Tom Purdom

Sep 25, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read