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 →

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 →

VIEWPOINTS – Cabaret homages: AMY JO JACKSON spins the Annie Lennox songbook and an immersive GRAND HOTEL reunion concert

This week, after my regularly scheduled theatrical programming, I found myself at a pair of satisfying cabaret performances that paid homage to pop and theatrical icons. As always, read on … 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 →