The Classical Review

Grosvenor scales the heights with a trio of blockbusters for Chamber Music Maryland

The Finale, one of the oddest movements Chopin penned, is a blur of notes in octaves between the two hands moving in lockstep. Grosvenor played it with surprising clarity, using the soft pedal and ...
The Classical Review

No slowing down for Gerard Schwarz, South Florida’s busiest conductor

Gerard Schwarz conducting the Palm Beach Symphony at a 2024 concert. Photo: IndieHouse Films When Gerard Schwarz was a teenage trumpet student, he dreamed of being a member of the New York ...
The Classical Review

A beautiful, riveting tragedy with Chicago Symphony’s Mahler Sixth

Jaap van Zweden conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 Thursday night. Photo: Todd Rosenberg With multiple street closures and exits off the Drive shut down for a race in ...
The Classical Review

Under Rouvali, Philharmonia sounds fresh and vital on 80th anniversary tour

Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra Monday night at the Music Center at Strathmore. Photo: Marco Borggreve London’s Philharmonia Orchestra returned to the Washington area for ...
The Classical Review

Dubious “Dutchman” and trenchant “Tosca” refract two classics through modern lenses at Santa Fe Opera

Nicholas Brownlee and Elza van den Heever in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman at Santa Fe Opera. Photo: Curtis Brown/SFO General director Robert Meya has given Wagner fans cause to rejoice: Santa Fe Opera ...
The Classical Review

Compelling Garrop premiere anchors Chicago Philharmonic’s Ear Taxi concert

Marta Aznavoorian was the the piano soloist in the world premiere of Stacy Garrop’s Invictus with the Chicago Philharmonic Saturday night at the Harris Theater. Photo: Kyle Dunleavy Among the 210 ...
The Classical Review

Santa Fe Opera rounds out comeback season with brilliant Verdi and Wagner

Quinn Kelsey stars in the title role of Verdi’s Falstaff at Santa Fe Opera. Photo: Curtis Brown The most complex works on the stage this summer at Santa Fe Opera came at the end of the first full week ...
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

Three finalists take impressive last shots in Cliburn Competition

Evren Ozel performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Friday night at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Photo: Ralph Lauer It was ...
The Classical Review

Sierra and Villazón shine brightly in Met’s new “Sonnambula”

Nadine Sierra stars as Amina in Bellini’s La Sonnambula at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera For such a famous opera, a vehicle for some of the great modern divas, La Sonnambula ...
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

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 ...