Music: Florida Grand Opera continues its remake of itself as more of a cutting-edge company today as it opens the first of five presentations of Before Night Falls, the 2010 opera by Cuban-American composer Jorge Martín, which is based on the memoirs of the dissident Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas. The opera tells the story of Arenas’s talent, his homosexuality and suffering from … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2017
Amernet Quartet masterful in Schubert, Onslow at Chameleon
By Robert Croan The Adagio movement of Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major is one of the most sublime, transfixing moments in all music. The entire work, composed shortly before the composer’s early death in 1828, is one of the greatest achievements in the chamber music genre. It’s dramatic, it’s anguished, it’s pugnacious, it’s soul-searching, and it’s very, very difficult … [Read more...]
‘Rigoletto’ at PB Opera, second cast: Brilliant singing, smart staging
Saturday’s performance of Rigoletto by the Palm Beach Opera was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. It reached the realms of the divine on occasion. Verdi’s knack of capturing Victor Hugo’s dramatic essence in music and song of this father-daughter relationship is a mark of his genius. Jay Lesenger’s direction made the action crisp and the story easy to understand. … [Read more...]
‘Rigoletto’ at PB Opera, first cast: Chioldi stuns as jester in effective production
A magnificent central role performance and some marvelous supporting voices made Palm Beach Opera’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto one to admire and remember. Returning to this 1851 mega-hit after an absence of nine years, the troupe’s A-cast mounting was led by baritone Michael Chioldi, who should be close to considering Palm Beach Opera his home company. His … [Read more...]
Art Boca Raton finds good groove in its second year
By Sandra Schulman Gliding into its second year, Art Boca Raton has found a groove, mixing the high-end blue chip art of Picasso and Chagall with the best of the regional art and artists like Cheryl Maeder and Rolando Chang Barrero. The 35,000-square-foot exhibition venue on the grounds of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University is well laid-out and well-curated. … [Read more...]
Mendes, ‘Pink Panther’ close Boca Fest in engaging fashion
By Dale King Festival of the Arts Boca wrapped up its 11th annual celebration of artistic, cultural and musical endeavors Sunday with a concert by South American jazz performers Sérgio Mendes and Brazil 2017, completing the 10-day installment of lectures, song, instrumentalists, one film and an opera. The 76-year-old Brazilian keyboardist whose high-amped, bossa … [Read more...]
Despite noisy venue, amplification, Chang triumphs at Boca fest
By Dennis D. Rooney Presented as part of Festival of the Arts Boca, now in its 11th season, the March 10 concert featuring violinist Sarah Chang took place in an open-air structure at the north end of Mizner Park that was covered with a plastic tent. I have never found the experience of hearing classical music outdoors to be enjoyable. Its textures and sonorities require … [Read more...]
Violinist Benedetti taking career (and Marsalis concerto) to new level
Last week, as she prepared for her Florida tour with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Nicola Benedetti was having a little trouble getting used to her instrument again, particularly the bow. “It’s like a cello bow right now. Or a double bass,” she said, speaking by phone from her home base in London. That’s because she had just gotten off the road after a 13-concert … [Read more...]
Strong leads, lively production make ‘Guys and Dolls’ sparkle at the Wick
The eccentric underworld characters of Damon Runyon fit comfortably in the realm of musical comedy. For while they are obsessed with gambling on everything from the ponies to craps to cheesecake consumption, they are also preoccupied with romance. At least they are in Guys and Dolls, a 1950 confection from Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows, considered one of a handful of perfect … [Read more...]
Perlman, at 71, plays to perfection at Broward Center
By Robert Croan A recital by Itzhak Perlman is inevitably a journey into perfection: virtuosity of the highest order, the sweetest tone imaginable, impeccable intonation, absolutely even scalework, mature musicianship and a pleasant stage persona to boot. At 71, the superstar Israeli-born violinist continues to provide all this and more in large measure. It would seem … [Read more...]