VIEWPOINTS – 400 hundred years after his death, Shakespeare permeates the New York performing arts season

As April 23, 2016 – the date of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death – approaches, New York finds itself in the midst of a whole lotta Shakespeare. In the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – As an opera, Kurt Weill’s flawed and dated LOST IN THE STARS was ahead of its time

What is opera vis-à-vis musical theater? Which form is more on the cutting edge of serious music theater? Is there even a difference between them? Famed German American composer Kurt … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Orientalism at the Met: Then and Now

This winter, the Met mounted a fascinating operatic pairing: Puccini’s crowd-pleasing Turandot and Bizet’s rarely-performed The Pearl Fishers.  Despite featuring some soaring melodies (Turandot boasts that indestructible aria “Nessun dorma”; … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – An underpowered CAV/PAG disappoints at the Met

Last night, I attended a performance of the Met’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci (fondly referred to together as “Cav/Pag”). I admired David McVicar’s production of this famous operatic double bill … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Ever vital, COIL and AMERICAN REALNESS playfully explore space, perspective, and modes of expression

Each January, Coil and American Realness – two slightly overlapping New York-based festivals that present the cutting edge in theater and dance – never fail to have a visceral impact … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – PROTOTYPE shocks and awes its way to a triumphant 2016 edition

Since the demise of Dicapo Opera Theatre and New York City Opera (33 years and 70 years in operation, respectively!), it seemed that the hulking Met would have to shoulder … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A look back at some of the performing arts festivals that never failed to challenge, enrich (and frustrate) me

For me, one of the most exciting aspects of attending live performance is the prospect of being exposed to new forms of expression, combinations, and perspectives. In the city, no … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Opera is thriving in the unlikeliest of places

The common perception of opera is that it is a static art form, mostly stuck in the past in largely museum-piece productions. However, four productions I caught recently have put … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The rechristened MasterVoices produces a sparkling PIRATES

Last night I was treated to a sparkling concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance (or the Slave of Duty) at City Center, courtesy of the recently … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met unleashes a sublime TANNHÄUSER

Last night, I caught what is surely one of the highlights of the current Met season – this fall’s revival of Otto Schenk’s ultra traditional 1977 staging of Wagner’s Tannhäuser, … Continue Reading →