THE HANGOVER REPORT – Positive vibes and seasoned musicality distinguish CYRILLE AIMÉE & THE GUITAR HEROES at Birdland

This past week, I put away my cares away and enjoyed a vibrant concert by distinctive French jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimée, who just wrapped up a residency at Birdland Jazz … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Playing Beethoven and Janáček, the workmanlike CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA proves its status as one of the greats

This week, the world-class Cleveland Orchestra has returned to Carnegie Hall for two performances only. Last night’s first concert was substantially modified when up-and-coming Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian withdrew — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – JENN COLELLA returns to 54 Below with an intimate, heartfelt show focused on her musical theater roots

Last night, I had the great pleasure of catching Jenn Colella in cabaret mode at 54 Below. The Tony nominee is no stranger to 54 Below, having twice held court … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Dynamic incoming music director Gustavo Dudamel conducts the NY PHILHARMONIC, indicating riches to come

This weekend at David Geffen Hall, I had the great pleasure of catching superstar conductor Gustavo Dudamel lead the New York Philharmonic. There’s much hype about the incoming music director’s … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Soprano Lise Davidsen and conductor Susanna Mälkki gorgeously lead Bethoven’s FIDELIO

Certainly one of the highlights of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2024/2025 season thus far is the current revival of Beethoven’s Fidelio (for the record, my other highlights of the Met season … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Dead behind the eyes: Assessing Anne Imhof’s massive, immersive, and multidisciplinary DOOM: HOUSE OF HOPE

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to take in Anne Imhof’s highly anticipated Doom: House of Hope at the Park Avenue Armory. To be sure, Imhof’s latest project — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Outrageous international cabaret star MEOW MEOW does a whole lot more than just purr at Joe’s Pub

Last week, international cabaret star Meow Meow took up residency at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, where she did a whole lot more than just purr. The European chanteuse … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Playing with drama and discipline, the Pappano-led LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA triumphantly returns to Carnegie Hall

After a hiatus of two decades, the great London Symphony Orchestra makes a highly anticipated return to Carnegie Hall this week for two performances only. As led by newly-appointed music … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jake Heggie‘s distilled operatic adaptation of MOBY-DICK powerfully launches the Met’s spring season

Last night marked the opening of the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Moby-Dick — Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s powerful adaptation of Herman Melville’s iconic literary work — launching the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Led by Muti, the revered VIENNA PHILHARMONIC returns to Carnegie Hall with its annual weekend of concerts

This past weekend, the highly revered Vienna Philharmonic returned to New York for its annual set of performances at Carnegie Hall, this time around conducted by the great maestro Riccardo … Continue Reading →