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Reviews
The United States vs. Billie Holiday: The Star Is Bright, the Film Is Not

Billie Holiday has always been a monster of a role. Diana Ross tackled her on film and Audra McDonald did it on stage. Now it’s time for Andra Day — a singer and actress perfectly named to play Lady Day — and she shines. … »
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Reviews
Taking Up Serpents: The Right Opera for the Right Time

Traditional opera, with its larger-than-life multiple accoutrements, has been out of the question since last March. Chamber opera, with its relatively short running time and pared-down cast and orchestra, is the perfect alternative for the … »
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Reviews
A Cold Salome, Out of Sync with Strauss's Hot Score

MILAN-- Damiano Michieletto's new staging of Salome has been a long time coming. The production was due to open in March 2020 at La Scala, with Music Director Riccardo Chailly conducting. After the pandemic shuttered Italy’s performance … »
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Reviews
Opera Comes to Life in West Palm. Part 2

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – When Palm Beach Opera was organizing its outdoor festival, which continues through Feb. 27 at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater, it found—due to the Covid-19 lockdown—a ready supply of top-level … »
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Reviews
Opera, Live and In-Person in West Palm Beach. Part 1

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – After almost a year of not experiencing opera live and in person because of the coronavirus pandemic, to hear stars like Michael Fabiano, Latonia Moore, and Isabel Leonard in a semi-staged concert of La … »
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Reviews
For a Change, Calixto Bieito Offers More Insight than Outrage

It’s over 20 years since Calixto Bieito outraged the British tabloids with his staging of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Mas c hera at English National Opera . Reports of 14 men sitting on the John in transparent cubicles had opera lovers … »
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Reviews
Jake Heggie's Songs for Murdered Sisters Is Not for the Faint of Heart.

If you’re lucky enough to have sisters, prepare to be shaken by Houston Grand Opera’s newest digital offering: Songs for Murdered Sisters. Composed by Jake Heggie, it is set to eight poems by acclaimed Canadian author Margaret Atwood. … »
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Reviews
Breathing Free: Heartbeat Opera's Most Relevant, Remarkable Moment

Bigger is not necessarily better for opera companies dealing with a global pandemic. Since mid-March, when the Covid-19 coronavirus stopped the performing arts in their tracks, small, already innovative companies like NYC’s Heartbeat Opera … »
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Reviews
Dudamel, LA Phil Stage a Star-studded Fundraiser at the Bowl

LOS ANGELES—We all know what to expect at gala concerts, those swanky affairs with premium ticket prices, celebrity guest soloists, safe repertoire, and grand dining to follow. So how do you translate that in COVID times, without a dressy … »
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Reviews
Anna Netrebko, High Above the Rink and Back on Form

When the Metropolitan Opera announced its Met Stars Live in Concert recitals back in July 2020, the series was expected to have been done and dusted by Christmas. As it turned out, a series of cancellations and postponements, the combination of … »
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WHO'S BLOGGING

Law and Disorder by GG Arts Law
Career Advice by Legendary Manager Edna Landau
An American in Paris by Frank Cadenhead
