The Classical Review

A tragedy haunts the past and present in Met’s “Innocence”

Vilma Jää as Markéta and Joyce DiDonato as the Waitress in Kaija Saariaho’s Innocence at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Karen Almond / Met Opera Conductor Susanna Mälkki, one of Saariaho’s most ...
The Classical Review

Mäkelä, CSO wrap year with bracing contemporary works, Beethoven and Schumann

The final Chicago Symphony Orchestra program of 2025 offered much to attract concertgoers: warhorses by Beethoven and Schumann as well as the subscription debut of pianist and Van Cliburn gold medal ...
The Classical Review

Nelsons, cast and BSO give heartfelt and idiomatic advocacy to Barber’s “Vanessa”

Jennifer Holloway (left) in the title role and Samantha Hankey as Erika in Samuel Barber’s Vanessa, performed by Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra Thursday night. Photo: Winslow Townson ...
The Classical Review

Philadelphia’s BalletX navigates uncertain times with ingenuity

Presenting dance performances during a global pandemic is a test of ingenuity and perseverance. On Wednesday night, the Philadelphia-based BalletX beautifully rose to the challenge. Three short films ...
The Classical Review

Outstanding new opera, “Loving v. Virginia,” makes a moving debut

Flora Hawk and Jonathan Michie star in the world premiere of Damien Geter’s Loving v. Virginia at Virginia Opera. Photo: Dave Pearson Virginia Opera is marking its golden anniversary season in the ...
The Classical Review

A Boston double-shot of Gershwin musicals proves timely and delightful

Aaron Engebreth and Abagail Paschke in George Gershwin’s Of Thee I Sing, presented by Odyssey Opera. Photo: Kathy Wittman What has been harder to come by of late, and not just locally, are ...
The Classical Review

Organist Jacobs illuminates Bach’s “Art of Fugue” in living color

Paul Jacobs performed Bach’s The Art of Fugue Tuesday night at Saint Peter’s Church. Photo: Priscilla C. Scott For an evening’s entertainment, which would you choose–the movie Oppenheimer or a ...
The Classical Review

Dédé’s “Morgiane” proves a lightweight disappointment in belated world premiere

Mary Elizabeth Williams stars in the world premiere of Edmond Dédé’s Morgiane, presented by Opera Lafayette Monday night. Photo: Jennifer Packard/Opera Lafayette In most seasons Opera Lafayette ...
The Classical Review

Hrůša, Bamberg Symphony deliver a memorable evening of Brahms and Wagner in Boston

Jakub Hrůša conducted the Bamberg Symphony Tuesday night at Symphony Hall. Photo: Ian Ehm There’s nothing like making up for lost time. That, on the one hand, is what the Bamberg Symphony did in their ...
The Classical Review

With luminous Sibelius and rousing Strauss, Mäkelä and Chicago Symphony prepare to take it on the road

Klaus Mäkelä conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in music of Sibelius and Richard Strauss Thursday night. Photo: Todd Rosenberg A pair of contrasted heroes made up the Chicago Symphony ...
The Classical Review

Florida Grand Opera’s “Silent Night” proves a rich and moving tale of common humanity

Alex DeSocio (Audebert), Kyle Albertson (Horstmayer) and Elijah William Brown (Jonathan Dale) in Kevin Puts’ Silent Night, presented by Florida Grand Opera at the Arsht Center in Miami. Photo: Lewis ...