By Robert Croan Johannes Brahms’s “Double” Concerto for Violin and Cello (in A minor, Op. 102), is a gnarly, dense work, not at all an easy romp for performers or listeners. Under the deft fingers of violinist Pinchas Zukerman and his cellist wife, Amanda Forsyth, however — as it was in the season’s final concert by Symphony of the Americas (heard May 5 in Broward … [Read more...]
Standout Mimì lifts otherwise adequate ‘Bohème’ at FGO
By Robert Croan Florida Grand Opera’s 2024 version of Puccini’s La Bohème (seen May 2 at the Broward Center) was the 13th production since 1947, which makes it the most frequently performed opera in the company’s history. According to recent surveys, La Bohème is in the top three most frequently performed operas nationwide, as well, and the work lends itself to varied … [Read more...]
Delray author’s backstage-music novel sincere, revealing, but overlong
By Sharon Geltner Lightning struck for Delray Beach resident Kelley McNeil when popular fantasy author Barbara Davis posted a positive review of McNeil’s debut novel, A Day Like This. The fledgling author’s book hit number one on its first day and was a best seller in the United Kingdom and in three days was No. 1 in the United States. It stayed in the Top 5 of an Amazon … [Read more...]
Palm Beach Symphony wraps season with sparkling Beethoven concerto, but uneven Ninth
By Márcio Bezerra Palm Beach Symphony ended its 50th anniversary season April 25 with an ambitious all-Beethoven program at the Kravis Center. Under the direction of Gerard Schwarz, the group started the evening with an early work, the Piano Concerto No. 2 (in B-flat major, Op. 19). This sunny concerto (actually the first the composer wrote, despite its misleading number) … [Read more...]
Pianist Geniushene’s ‘Op. 1’ program intriguing, to a point
By Márcio Bezerra The Society of the Four Arts hosted pianist Anna Geniushene on Wednesday in a program of firsts. The young artist, whose career has been growing silver she won the silver medal at the 2022 Van Cliburn Competition, presented a clever program that consisted of several Opus 1 by composers from the classical period to the twentieth century. To be … [Read more...]
Superstar soprano Meade makes for memorable ‘Norma’ at PB Opera
By Márcio Bezerra Few operas in the repertoire can claim the same legendary status as Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma. Be it because it can be considered as the masterwork of bel canto, or because all the great divas of the past have tackled the title role with memorable results, Norma sets the standard for what a great soprano should sound like. In general, bel canto operas are … [Read more...]
‘Gator Country’ brings us the real story of the Everglades
By Sharon Geltner Gator Country opens with an authentic Florida adventure. A 7-year-old Central Florida girl explores a swamp by herself. Rebecca Renner’s dad tells her: “When it starts getting dark, come back.” Family dinner could be alligator meat, breaded in cornmeal, fried in peanut oil. Orlando resident Renner writes: “I hadn’t quite grasped the majesty and … [Read more...]
Zwilich concerto, Stravinsky stand out at SFSO concert
By Robert Croan The South Florida Symphony Orchestra offered a bit of participation in music history in its most recent program [heard March 27 at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale] when guest clarinetist David Shifrin soloed in Ellen Taafe Zwilich’s Clarinet Concerto — a work he premiered at New York’s Lincoln Center in 2003. Adding to the aura of authenticity was the … [Read more...]
54 Below cabaret comes south to the Kravis with ‘Jersey Boys’ star Lloyd Young
By Sharon Geltner Big Broadway stars who have played the storied 54 Below cabaret in Manhattan are performing for the first time at the Rinker Playhouse, the first arrangement of its kind in the country. Georgina Young, vice president of marketing and programming at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, proposed the partnership at a chance meeting in a Fort … [Read more...]
Vienna Phil’s Mahler 9 brought Kravis audience to the sublime
By Márcio Bezerra Sublime. Nothing short of sublime. That sums up the concert presented by the Vienna Philharmonic for the Classical Concert Series at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Playing for a nearly sold-out audience, the venerable ensemble, in its first-ever appearance in South Florida, gave a heart-wrenching performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, his … [Read more...]