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Ottoman military band, c. 16th century: Would you rather fight these guys or join them?

When music trumped military force

When you have music, who needs guns?

Music has long been used by armies in battle to intimidate the enemy and bolster morale. We tend to forget that diplomats also used music to heal the scars after the fighting stopped. That’s what happened between European Christians and Muslim Turks.

Clarence Faulcon

Jul 07, 2014 Articles 4 minute read

City Rhythm Orchestra at Cooper River Park

Keeping the Big Band flame burning

City Rhythm Orchestra brought its swinging 12-piece edition to an outdoor concert on an evening with near-perfect weather.

Robert J. Robbins

Jul 05, 2014 Articles 2 minute read

Sarah Young (Agnès Sorel) and Gillian Watson (Joan of Arc), the Tuesday 6/24 principals of "The Maid of Orleans," take a selfie in front of St. Joan of Arc Statue on the Parkway in Philadelphia.

Tchaikovsky's "Maid of Orleans" at the Academy of Vocal Arts

Workshopping Saint Joan

Ghenady Meirson’s Russian Opera Workshop offers local audiences a chance to hear promising young voices singing major works in an informal setting, with no admission charge.

Tom Purdom

Jul 01, 2014 Articles 3 minute read

Lehár’s ‘Frederica,’ by Concert Operetta Theater (second review)

Goethe pays the price

Franz Lehár was best known for schmaltzy romances with happy endings. His operetta about Goethe’s unrequited love is another story altogether.

Steve Cohen

Jun 23, 2014 Articles 3 minute read

Three things I learned from Maynard Ferguson

Remembering the sweet brilliance that was the Maynard Ferguson of the late ’50s.

Kile Smith

Jun 20, 2014 Articles 4 minute read

Kenny Wayne Shepherd and singer Noah Hunt. (Photo by alansheaven, via Creative Commons/Flickr.)

Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Robert Randolph at the Keswick

So you want to be a rock-and-roll god

There's more to being a guitar god than just playing the guitar well.

Judy Weightman

Jun 17, 2014 Articles 6 minute read

Franz Lehár. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Lehár's 'Frederica' by Concert Operetta Theater

Marriage and the creative life

Concert Operetta Theater presents a Franz Lehár opus that provokes unexpectedly weighty thoughts.

Tom Purdom

Jun 17, 2014 Articles 3 minute read

A gospel backbone: Frederica von Stade and chorus in 'A Coffin in Egypt' (photo by Lynn Lane via Opera Philadelphia)

Opera Philadelphia's 'Coffin in Egypt': third review

Contemplating death

The story is by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Horton Foote, and the music is by one of the most accessible and tuneful composers of our time, Ricky Ian Gordon. The return of Frederica von Stade in the starring role is just the icing on the cake.

Steve Cohen

Jun 10, 2014 Articles 4 minute read

An operatically unhappy marriage: Frederica von Stade and David Matranga in 'A Coffin in Egypt' (photo by Lynn Lane via Opera Philadelphia)

Opera Philadelphia's 'Coffin in Egypt': second review

Immortal whining?

A Coffin in Egypt immortalizes one woman’s sense of betrayal. It makes me wonder what it would be like if we turned some of today’s reality stars into operatic heroines.

Naomi Orwin

Jun 10, 2014 Articles 4 minute read

Marsh and bassoon: Like a flowing river.

Tempesta di Mare’s season finale

Air, earth, fire, and water

Tempesta di Mare has achieved a worldwide reputation with its recordings and tours, but it isn’t as well-known in Philadelphia as it should be. Appearances like last weekend’s in the Kimmel Center expose Philadelphia musical organizations to a larger local audience.

Tom Purdom

Jun 10, 2014 Articles 4 minute read