THE HANGOVER REPORT – Simon McBurney’s new human-scaled staging of DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE basks in low-tech spectacle and literally elevates the music

Last week, the Metropolitan Opera unveiled its new production of Die Zauberflöte. Helmed by British theater director Simon McBurney, the production partially replaces Julie Taymor’s long-running staging (I say partially because … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Extraordinary 19-year-old prodigy YUNCHAN LIM makes a smashing debut with the New York Philharmonic

Yesterday, I attended a memorable performance by the New York Philharmonic at David Geffen Hall. As helmed by the exciting young American conductor James Gaffigan, the orchestra has rarely sounded … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Ivo van Hove’s potent new DON GIOVANNI arrives at the Met, splendidly sung and surprisingly straightforward

Last night, I caught up with Ivo van Hove’s anticipated new production of Don Giovanni, which opened last week at the Metropolitan Opera. The Belgian auteur’s production replaces Michael Grandage’s lifeless … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – They’ve still got it: Downtown theater artists RIZO and KAREN FINLEY urgently return to live performance

Over the course of the past week, I had the opportunity to catch the return to live performance of two revered downtown artists, both of whom have come out of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The 81-year-old MasterVoices performs a starry, utterly delightful staged concert of Gilbert & Sullivan’s IOLANTHE

Earlier this week at Carnegie Hall, MasterVoices finished off its astonishing 81st concert season with a starry, utterly delightful staged concert of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe (or, The Peer and … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tony nominee JOHN-ANDREW MORRISON explores his complicated relationship with love through song and banter

Tony nominee John-Andrew Morrison follows up his acclaimed Broadway debut in the award-winning musical A Strange Loop (in which he gave an exquisitely layered performance) by taking a shot at performing … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nights at the opera: A tenor wows in his Met debut in L’ELISIR D’AMORE and the last days of a monumental AIDA

Over the past week or so, I twice paid a visit to the Metropolitan Opera to take in two staples of the repertoire. Read on for my thoughts. L’ELISIR D’AMOREThe … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Catching up with two storied American orchestras: NY PHIL at Geffen Hall and the BSO at Carnegie Hall

Over the last few days, I had the opportunity to catch up with two storied American orchestras – the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Geffen Hall … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nights at the opera: Terence Blanchard’s jazzy, turbulent CHAMPION opens & Lise Davidsen glimmers in DER ROSENKAVALIER

On two consecutive nights this week, I had the opportunity to take in a pair of notable productions at the Metropolitan Opera – one an anticipated premiere and the other … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – At NYU Skirball, Phelim McDermott reveals his immense, deep obsession with Philip Glass in TAO OF GLASS

This past weekend, I attended the New York premiere of Tao of Glass at NYU Skirball by actor and director Phelim McDermott (who, on the day I attended the show, won a … Continue Reading →