The soprano who created the role of Magda in Giacomo Puccini’s La Rondine said late in life that the composer died “with the wound of ‘Rondine’ in his heart,” having never gotten over the opera’s mixed record of success and failure. In its first-ever mounting of the bittersweet opera Puccini wrote for a Viennese commission, Florida Grand Opera has taken an important step … [Read more...]
PB Opera cancels vocal contest to boost Young Artists program; Muse Award winners named
Palm Beach Opera said last week it is expanding its Young Artist program to add more singers, three days of auditions in New York, and a staged production next season featuring the young musicians. In order to put the expansion into effect, the West Palm Beach-based opera company has canceled this year’s vocal competition, which had been scheduled for April. “We realized … [Read more...]
In short time, Arts Garage makes itself vital part of cultural scene
On a recent Saturday evening, crowds at the Delray Beach parking structure that doubles as the Arts Garage were jumping and jiving to the New Age/neoclassical piano sounds of composer and artist Jace Vek. Vek, a two-time Emmy award winner and Pittsburgh native, was accompanied by soprano Kat Yarbrough and tenor Matthew Farmer, who does double duty himself as the programming … [Read more...]
PB Opera opens 50th season with beautiful ‘Butterfly’
In the world of Madama Butterfly, it’s all about her, with the occasional supporting character coming in now and again to move the plot along. But Palm Beach Opera’s current presentation of Giacomo Puccini’s Japanese opera is noteworthy for the strength of its supporting cast overall, and with a fine performance at its center plus a tasteful, intelligent staging, this … [Read more...]
Miami City Ballet bringing varied dance quartet to Kravis
For three weeks about three months ago, the Miami City Ballet played Paris to loud, raucous standing ovations. One lasted a full 10 minutes, according to founding artistic director Edward Villella. To Villella, and many of his dancers, this was a defining point in his career. One of the programs that brought down the house at the Paris Opera will be performed Friday at the … [Read more...]
PB film and Boca arts fests OK partnership under one board
Two of the largest South Florida arts events – the Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) and the Festival of the Arts Boca – are forming a partnership to create one large comprehensive festival of the cultural arts incorporating film, music, dance, books and authors. The boards of the Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts and the Festival of the Arts Boca have signed a … [Read more...]
Seraphic Fire opens Boca series with heartfelt Victoria, Monteverdi
A vivid reading of a madrigal sequence by Monteverdi and a heartfelt performance of a Victoria hymn stood out Thursday night as the Seraphic Fire chamber choir opened its new series of regular performances in Palm Beach County. In its 10th season, Patrick Dupré Quigley’s professional chorus has arrived at an enviable place in South Florida musical life, having grown steadily … [Read more...]
Norton unveils a congenial set of changes
“Visitor experience” is a phrase one hears a lot these days when museums are the topic of discussion. Now, more than ever before, many, as a direct result of cuts in government funding for the arts, are focusing on how to make changes that keep people coming back to the museum because it is an enjoyable place to be. This can also mean that museums must now find ways to … [Read more...]
The 2011-12 season in dance: New work for MCB highlight of rich season
The coming dance season couldn’t open any hotter: The world premiere of a new work for the Miami City Ballet by a rising young British star. But there are also plenty of other good things in the local dance world for 2011-12, including the State Ballet of Russia’s Swan Lake, the frenzy of champion ballroom dancers in Burn the Floor, and fresh work from local companies … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Sept. 2-5
Theater: Miami’s Mad Cat Theatre Company has figured out how to attract young people to sit for live shows, and it is not to offer them “well-made” plays like their grandparents craved. Instead, they have carved out their niche with non-linear absurdist fare like So My Grandmother Died, Blah Blah Blah, written and directed by Paul Tei, who founded the troupe. At its core, it is … [Read more...]