THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jonas Kaufmann gives a haunted performance in DOPPELGANGER, Claus Guth’s immersive staging of Schubert’s “Schwanengesang”

This weekend at the massive drill hall at the Park Avenue Armory, I was able to attend the opening night performance of Doppelganger, Claus Guth’s staged presentation of Schubert’s “Schwanengesang”, … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Joyce opens its season with the curious dance theater piece HEART OF BRICK, a sensitive if undercooked look at Black Queer love

This past weekend saw the opening of The Joyce Theater’s 2023/2024 season with Heart of Brick. Using singer/songwriter serpentwithfeet’s latest album as the springboard for this curious dance theater concoction … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Fall season teasers at Lincoln Center: Extraordinary soprano LISE DAVIDSEN at the Met and the NY PHILHARMONIC accompanies “West Side Story”

This past week, two of Lincoln Center’s major music constituents – the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic (City Ballet’s season commences next week) – teased audiences of what’s … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – The end of an era: Bidding a very fond farewell to the longstanding MOSTLY MOZART FESTIVAL and beloved maestro Louis Langrée

This summer marks the final season of Lincoln Center’s longstanding Mostly Mozart Festival. Originally established in 1966 as “Midsummer Serenades: A Mozart Festival”, the indoor summer festival was rebranded in … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Uniquely fascinating sonic/visual experiences at The Shed: The exquisitely intimate KAGAMI and the grandiose SONIC SPHERE

Currently at The Shed, you’ll find a pair of uniquely fascinating sonic/visual installations that had my head buzzing. Together, these boundary-pushing experiences showcase the The Shed’s programming at its best, … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Under the baton of maestro Nézet-Séguin, the mighty MET ORCHESTRA performs a glorious rendition of Brahms’ “German Requiem”

Last week for one night only, the mighty Met Orchestra performed the first of its two season-capping concerts at Carnegie Hall. Vividly led by the Metropolitan Opera’s beloved music director … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – François Girard’s grim “new” production of DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER returns to the Met, magnificently performed

The pandemic may have been the best thing that could have happened to François Girard’s production of Der fliegende Holländer by Richard Wagner. The Metropolitan Opera’s staging – co-production with … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – At 95-years-young, the unstoppable MARILYN MAYE still belts, kicks, and puts on one helluva joyous show

This past week, the marvelous Marilyn Maye concluded her most recent stint at 54 Below. Having just recently celebrated her 95th birthday, I treasure every opportunity to catch the late-blooming … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Superstars JOSHUA BELL and DANIIL TRIFONOV team up at Carnegie Hall for a terrific evening of chamber music for violin and piano

Earlier this week, violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Daniil Trifonov teamed up at Carnegie Hall for a terrific evening of chamber music. Those of you who at all follow classical … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Marin Alsop leads the NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC in a beautifully balanced program including Barber, Corea, and Prokofiev

This weekend at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, I attended a performance by the New York Philharmonic. The concert was led by the great Marin Alsop, who conducted a … Continue Reading →