By Robert Croan Haydn’s six late-in-life settings of the Catholic Mass are outpourings of joy, reflecting the composer’s optimism and attitude towards life – even when, as in 1798, he labeled his Mass in D minor, “Mass in Troubled Times.” The “trouble” was Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt, designed to interfere with his enemies’ trade routes, directly or indirectly … [Read more...]
Seraphic Fire renders French Baroque superbly
By Robert Croan Welcome to Paris in the 1730s, during the reign of Louis XV. To open its 2023-24 season, Seraphic Fire, directed by Patrick Dupré Quigley, presented two rarely heard works from the period --- a sacred motet followed by extracts from an opera, each evoking the alleged splendors of the French court while providing a tantalizing glimpse into music that was … [Read more...]
2023-24 Season in Classical: Season looks abundant across genres and venues
Even with the loss of one orchestra’s Palm Beach County concerts (the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, which will stick to Stuart and Vero Beach this time around), the upcoming classical season is hard to complain about, with its roster of major ensembles and performers, several world premieres, and a deep lineup of compelling music across the genre spectrum. Here’s how that … [Read more...]
Arts buzz: Boca Stage relocates, Cultural Council seeks ‘ambassadors’
Palm Beach ArtsPaper staff DELRAY BEACH — Boca Stage, the independent theater company founded by Keith Garsson, will relocate to the black box theater at the Delray Beach Playhouse in October. Boca Stage, formerly known as Primal Forces, has been notable for bringing offbeat, little-known plays to South Florida. Its past four seasons have been presented at the Sol … [Read more...]
Seraphic Fire does right by cantatas of Bach
By Robert Croan Seraphic Fire’s third annual Enlightenment Festival – two weekend programs each performed in four South Florida venues – is devoted to the church cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach, some of the most sublime music in the Western civilization canon. It’s also some of the most difficult music for present-day performers, technically and stylistically, but with … [Read more...]
Seraphic Fire’s 20th opens with splendid Monteverdi, Coleridge-Taylor
By Marcio Bezerra One of the crown jewels of South Florida’s performing arts scene, the choral ensemble Seraphic Fire is celebrating its 20th season with a series of seven concerts that promises to be a real treat to its faithful followers. The celebration started at the highest level this past weekend with multiple performances of selections from Claudio Monteverdi’s … [Read more...]
Season Preview 2022-23: The season in classical music
There has been a profound change in the world of classical music over the past two or three years when it comes to programming. Although South Florida will still welcome touring orchestras bearing gifts of symphonic favorites, the post-George Floyd world has had a bracing effect on the kinds of music presented to today’s concertgoers. Programs now feature more Black and … [Read more...]
Seraphic Fire tackles challenge of Bach cantata program worthily
By Dennis D. Rooney One of the most memorable aspects of Seraphic Fire’s all-Bach program, which took place Feb. 27 at St. Gregory's Espicopal Church in Boca Raton, was the striking impression made by the large stained-glass sanctuary window behind the singers and players. Two Bach cantatas (Nos. 62 and 147) and the Mass in G minor (BWV 235), composed the program, which … [Read more...]
COVID cancellations: Detroit and Cleveland orchestras, GableStage
Cancellations and rescheduling from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to alter South Florida’s art season. Two major American symphonic ensembles that had planned appearances at the Kravis Center have canceled their concerts. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which was to have played the Kravis on Jan. 15 and 17, called off their concerts last week, citing COVID. Cellist … [Read more...]
Season Preview 2021-22: The season in classical music
The classical season looks mostly normal this year, with COVID protocols in place and venues opening back up. There are a host of major artists and groups coming to the county this year, from established veterans to exciting new talents. Although some usual season players are missing as of this writing (the Flagler Museum has not yet said whether its chamber music series … [Read more...]