Classical Music
For the first time, in many a year, I’ve had George Frideric Handel ’s Messiah as part of my Christmas season listening. At this time of year, I’m all about the mid-century crooners all singing the same …
I came across a social media post that asked if there are any operas with an all-female chorus. To be clear this doesn’t mean operas that have a chorus scene with only women. There are …
Every now and then, a truly underappreciated gem comes along. I have a friend who has bugged me about Havergal Brian’s Symphony No. 1: “Gothic”. I ended up listening to it about a dozen times in …
I am notorious, amongst my friends and family, for starting my holiday season early. As soon as Halloween is over, it’s Christmas time in my mind. My tree goes up and my Mid-Century Christmas playlist …
The struggle session returned with a vengeance at the San Diego Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday, November 16. The previous concert weekend featured a program without any contemporary pieces to struggle through as an audience …
The San Diego Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday, November 9, was the concert I didn’t know I needed. To be honest, the program looked a bit boring on the surface. It was only Mozart, Haydn, …
Back in the dark days of the pandemic, San Diego Opera conceived of a way to present Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme in a manner that would be consistent with Covid-19 social distancing rules. The performance …
There are some spooky operas out there and nothing is better for a refined and dignified Halloween. Of course, a sugar-laden celebration is also appropriate but on this night of ghosts and devils, opera can …
It was with a sense of anticipation that I arrived at the Jacobs Music Center on Friday, October 4. Not only was Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 my favorite piece of music, once upon a time, …
Saturday, September 28, was a monumental evening in the artistic history of San Diego. The Jacobs Music went out on its maiden voyage. PlaceJacobs Music Center750 B Street, San DiegoThe first piece of music, Welcome Home, was …
As we embark upon the first masterworks season at The Jacobs Music Center I’ve been thinking about my expectations. Apparently, expectations are bad and are destined to create disappointment—for the most part. Intentions, on the …
The prestigious classical music publication, Gramophone, recently listed their 10 greatest Puccini singers of all time. There were a few omissions that raised my ire along with a few inclusions that made no sense whatsoever. It may …
Anton Bruckner had his 200th birthday on September 4. Though Bruckner wrote fanfares, his birthday came and went without one. Bruckner doesn’t get the love he deserves except from people such as me. I take …
We live in an age where entertainment is fading. I’m not talking about the performing arts, I’m talking about Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Superman. These enterprises are losing money faster than a crypto-bro …
On Tuesday, August 27, I other several other members of the local media gathered at The Jacobs Music Center for a tour of the refurbished house. Many burning questions were answered. I wanted to know …
On September 29, the San Diego Symphony will celebrate the grand reopening of the Jacobs Music Center with a singular event titled, A Day of Music. The event, scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m., will …