THE HANGOVER REPORT – Maestro Jaap van Zweden commences his farewell as Music Director of the NY PHILHARMONIC

This week, Maestro Jaap van Zweden commenced his official farewell as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic (he assumed the coveted position just in 2018). Over the course of … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A recap of recent contemporary operas: Huang Ruo’s AN AMERICAN SOLDIER at PAC NYC and reassessing Kevin Puts’s THE HOURS at The Met

Over the past week or so, I had the opportunity to take in two notable contemporary opera productions, the New York premiere of Huang Ruo’s An American Soldier at the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In Sutton Lee Seymour’s savvily conceived BROADWAY BARBIE, the seasoned drag queen continues to mine the musical theater songbook

This past weekend at The Green Room 42, I had the opportunity to catch the final night — at least here in New York — of Sutton Lee Seymour’s latest … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tony-winner BETTY BUCKLEY returns to Joe’s Pub with an eclectic, exquisitely-arranged set

This week, the legendary Betty Buckley returns to New York with an ambitious slate of six back-to-back shows at Joe’s Pub (I attended the second show on the first night), … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Women taking the baton: Marin Alsop conducts John Adams’ EL NIÑO and Jane Glover leads the NY PHILHARMONIC

This past week over at Lincoln Center, I was able to catch a pair of accomplished women conductors take the baton at two flagship performing arts institutions. See below for … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In robust voice, Tony-winner ALICE RIPLEY puts her unique visceral spin on the Broadway songbook

Last night, I had the pleasure of catching Alice Ripley — a musical theater actress who deservedly won a Tony Award for her searing turn as Diane in Next to Normal — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The musically accomplished oratorio NUMBER OUR DAYS implores audiences to live life in the present moment

This past weekend, the Perelman Performing Arts Center — more succinctly known simply as PAC NYC — continued to prove its versatility both in terms of programming and as a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Terence Blanchard’s powerful contemporary opera FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES returns to The Met

This week, the Metropolitan Opera’s acclaimed production of Fire Shut Up in My Bones — a powerful contemporary opera by award-winning jazz musician Terence Blanchard (music) and Kasi Lemmons (libretto) — returned … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In her impressive NY PHIL debut, Karina Canellakis conducts with incisiveness and ample feeling

This week at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, conductor Karina Canellakis made a notable debut leading the New York Philharmonic. Currently the chief conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In its glorious Music Hall, maestro Ryan Bancroft leads CINCINNATI SYMPHONY with sensitivity and cohesion

This past Easter weekend, I ventured out west to attend a performance by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on its home turf. Led by American conductor Ryan Bancroft in his debut … Continue Reading →