THE HANGOVER REPORT – A stellar cast ignites the Met’s cinematic new staging of Verdi’s LA FORZA DEL DESTINO

One of the Metropolitan Opera’s most anticipated offerings during the winter/spring months is its new production of Verdi’s eventful and unabashedly dramatic La Forza del Destino, which is currently concluding … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In her Carnegie Hall debut, frisky cabaret star MEOW MEOW conjures the Weimar Republic

Also this past weekend for one night only, I attended Meow Meow’s anticipated Carnegie Hall debut at the subterranean Zankel Hall. I’ve been following this frisky, subversive cabaret star’s career … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Led by Franz Welser-Möst, the venerated VIENNA PHILHARMONIC plays a triumphant rendition of Mahler’s Ninth

This past weekend, the mighty Vienna Philharmonic capped off three performances at Carnegie Hall with a performance of Mahler’s mammoth Ninth Symphony (the composer’s final completed symphony). Led by maestro … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali brings instinctive energy to NY PHILHARMONIC performances

This past weekend, Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali concluded a two-week residency leading the New York Philharmonic at David Geffen Hall. Although the second of his two programs that I attended … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Matt Ray’s gargantuan score shines in BARK OF MILLIONS, the latest of Taylor Mac’s sprawling creations

Last night at the BAM Harvey Theater, I had the great pleasure of basking in the queer paradise that is Bark of Millions, the latest in Taylor Mac’s line of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Maestro Andris Nelsons leads the BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in an accomplished program including Tania León, Ravel, and Stravinsky

Last night, the Boston Symphony Orchestra returned to New York to play the first of two concerts at Carnegie Hall. Led by maestro Andris Nelsons — who recently announced the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Under Maestro Nézet-Séguin, THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA shines in a crowd-pleasing program

Last night, the Philadelphia Orchestra returned to Carnegie Hall — arguably the storied ensemble’s home away from home — with an accessible, well-curated program comprised of works by composers with … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – NYGASP brings back its smartly re-framed production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE MIKADO

This past weekend at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, I attended a performance of The Mikado courtesy of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players — or “NYGASP”, for … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Music director Jaap van Zweden returns to the NY PHIL, purposefully leading a classics-laden program

This week at Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic’s out-bound music director Jaap van Zweden returned to to the podium to conduct the orchestra at David Geffen Hall for the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – STORM LARGE returns to New York in a relatively introspective mood with “Inside Voice” at 54 Below

This week, Storm Large returned to New York for a set of cabaret performances at 54 Below. Known for her larger-than-life personality, the Pink Martini singer has captivated fans (including … Continue Reading →