Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' Many have called Don Giovanni the finest opera ever composed. Mozart's classic is a brilliant combination of stark human tragedy and touching comedy, set to music of limitless genius. It's heard in a new production from Houston Grand Opera.
Many have called Don Giovanni the finest opera ever composed. Mozart's classic is a brilliant combination of stark human tragedy and touching comedy, set to music of limitless genius. It's heard in a new production from Houston Grand Opera.
Edward Elgar's Post-War Concerto of Conviction After WWI, the British were lamenting a lost era and eager for something new. Edward Elgar gave them a meditative, compelling cello concerto. Steven Isserlis plays Elgar's autumnal music in concert with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
After WWI, the British were lamenting a lost era and eager for something new. Edward Elgar gave them a meditative, compelling cello concerto. Steven Isserlis plays Elgar's autumnal music in concert with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Hopper Paintings Get Musical Portrayal in 'Hoppera' Painter Edward Hopper's images of urban America have become iconic, and have made him one of this country's most popular artists. The University of Maryland has commissioned an opera based on five of Hopper's paintings. "Later the Same Evening," or the "Hoppera," as the work is informally called, premieres Nov. 15.
Painter Edward Hopper's images of urban America have become iconic, and have made him one of this country's most popular artists. The University of Maryland has commissioned an opera based on five of Hopper's paintings. "Later the Same Evening," or the "Hoppera," as the work is informally called, premieres Nov. 15.
Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' The title character in Simon Boccanegra is among the most complex and poignant that Verdi ever created, and the opera is among his most beautiful. In this production from Houston, Boccanegra is played by the renowned baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
The title character in Simon Boccanegra is among the most complex and poignant that Verdi ever created, and the opera is among his most beautiful. In this production from Houston, Boccanegra is played by the renowned baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
Musical Mayhem: Top 5 Creepy Halloween Classics From the ancient "Day of the Dead" melody to depictions of ghouls and witches, composers have long tapped into the dark side to serve up some deliciously devilish music. Halloween is the perfect time to observe a few creepy classics.
From the ancient "Day of the Dead" melody to depictions of ghouls and witches, composers have long tapped into the dark side to serve up some deliciously devilish music. Halloween is the perfect time to observe a few creepy classics.
Putting the Squeeze on a Musical Nightmare This week's From the Top comes from New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall in Boston, where 18-year-old Samuel Thomas unpacks his accordion to play 'Chopin's Nightmare.' Eleven-year-old violinist Mindy Chen plays a romance by Sarasate, and a talented teen quintet takes on Dvorak. Also, a young cellist chooses Elgar, and a 14-year-old pianist plays Prokofiev.
This week's From the Top comes from New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall in Boston, where 18-year-old Samuel Thomas unpacks his accordion to play 'Chopin's Nightmare.' Eleven-year-old violinist Mindy Chen plays a romance by Sarasate, and a talented teen quintet takes on Dvorak. Also, a young cellist chooses Elgar, and a 14-year-old pianist plays Prokofiev.
Handel's 'Julius Caesar' Countertenor David Daniels takes the brilliant title role in Julius Caesar, Handel's slightly offbeat take on Roman history, from Houston Grand Opera.
Countertenor David Daniels takes the brilliant title role in Julius Caesar, Handel's slightly offbeat take on Roman history, from Houston Grand Opera.
From the Top Asks 'Where Are They Now?' On this week's From the Top, host Christopher O'Riley revisits performances by some of the outstanding teen musicians from past shows, and checks in to learn where life has taken them since appearing on the program.
On this week's From the Top, host Christopher O'Riley revisits performances by some of the outstanding teen musicians from past shows, and checks in to learn where life has taken them since appearing on the program.
Beauty Amid the Discord: Music in the 20th Century From the musical buzz in pre-WWI Vienna to the experimental New York scene of the 1960s and on through today, Alex Ross reveals the story of 20th-century music in his new book The Rest Is Noise.
From the musical buzz in pre-WWI Vienna to the experimental New York scene of the 1960s and on through today, Alex Ross reveals the story of 20th-century music in his new book The Rest Is Noise.
Wagner's 'Die Walkuere' Legendary tenor Placido Domingo sings the heroic role of Siegmund in Die Walkuere, the second installment in the Washington National Opera's new production of Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelungen.
Legendary tenor Placido Domingo sings the heroic role of Siegmund in Die Walkuere, the second installment in the Washington National Opera's new production of Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelungen.
Mark Kanny is the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's classical music critic and can be reached at 412-320-7877 or via e-mail. Ways to get us The Pittsburgh Symphony and Leonard Slatkin have extended his contract as principal guest conductor through the 2013-14 season.
CLASSICAL music fans in Somerset will be delighter to hear that the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil will be starting its classical season with a visit from one of Europe's most eminent orchestras - " the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.
Pianist Gabriele Carcano, whose show in Hanoi in 2008 was a huge success, will be among three Italians performing with Vietnamese artists at three classical concerts at the Hanoi Opera House in September and October.
In this Thursday Aug. 26, 2010 photo, Minka Cornelsen of Dearborn, Mich holds a sign in support of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra after musicians performed a brief lunchtime concert at Campus Martius Park in Detroit to raise awareness of tense contract negotiations.
This was the last concert of the 2010 tour of the National Youth Orchestra. Compared to the symphonic activity we witness on a regular basis, to hear and see the National Youth Orchestra perform is always a refreshing change.
