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

Orchestra 2001 plays Crumb

George Crumb plays around with doctored pianos and odd effects, but he uses novel means to achieve classic ends. His techniques may look outré, but he’s doing the same thing that good accompanists do when they create scenes and moods as they play a standard piano accompaniment.

Orchestra 2001, James Freeman, conductor. Crumb’s Otherworldly Resonances (Marcantonio Barone and James Freeman, amplified piano); Tchaikovsky Concert Piece for Flute and Str

Tom Purdom

Sep 18, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Best of the 2007-08 season

If you’re a Philadelphian whose tastes are eclectic and adventurous, and if you have a special liking for the French avant-garde of the 20th Century, this is your year.

Dan Coren

Sep 15, 2007 · Articles · 2 minute read

Pavarotti vs. Carreras

My brilliant brother Jack thought Pavarotti was the best tenor around. It was one of the few points on which I questioned his judgment and held my ground.

Andrew Kevorkian

Sep 15, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Classical music and golf

Golf, like Classical music, is based on a set of immutable rules and stylistic conventions. Haydn and Mozart regarded their procedural rules the same way Tiger Woods, the Beethoven of golf, follows the rules of golf— that is, almost as unconsciously as we regard oxygen.

Dan Coren

Sep 11, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read