The Classical Review

Political piano in DC: Levit speaks out through Rzewski and Beethoven

While the semiquincentennial will receive one kind of fireworks show on the National Mall later this summer, Igor Levit brought his own pyrotechnics to his recital Sunday evening. Washington ...
The Classical Review

Nelsons, cast and BSO give heartfelt and idiomatic advocacy to Barber’s “Vanessa”

Samuel Barber’s Vanessa showcases an alternative: the opera, with its libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, presents a study of ...
The Classical Review

Outstanding new opera, “Loving v. Virginia,” makes a moving debut

Flora Hawk and Jonathan Michie star in the world premiere of Damien Geter’s Loving v. Virginia at Virginia Opera. Photo: Dave Pearson Virginia Opera is marking its golden anniversary season in the ...
The Classical Review

Sierra and Villazón shine brightly in Met’s new “Sonnambula”

Nadine Sierra stars as Amina in Bellini’s La Sonnambula at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera For such a famous opera, a vehicle for some of the great modern divas, La Sonnambula ...
The Classical Review

Noseda, NSO and strong cast deliver the grandeur and intimate drama of “Otello”

Erika Grimaldi as Desdemona and Arsen Soghomonyan in the title role of Verdi’s Otello, in a concert performance by the National Symphony Orchestra Friday night at the Kennedy Center. Photo: Scott ...
The Classical Review

Noseda and NSO serve up a spirited showcase for Carlos Simon’s music

Simon: The Block; Tales: A Folklore Symphony; Songs of Separation; Wake Up! National Symphony Orchestra; Gianandrea Noseda, conductor (NSO). A new recording from the National Symphony Orchestra, ...
The Classical Review

Dubious “Dutchman” and trenchant “Tosca” refract two classics through modern lenses at Santa Fe Opera

Nicholas Brownlee and Elza van den Heever in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman at Santa Fe Opera. Photo: Curtis Brown/SFO General director Robert Meya has given Wagner fans cause to rejoice: Santa Fe Opera ...
The Classical Review

Rust Belt bel canto: Met provides a dark, mostly compelling update to “Lucia”

Nadine Sierra in the title role of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Marty Sohl Cheers greeted Simon Stone and his creative team Saturday night as they walked onstage ...
The Classical Review

Met’s “Kavalier & Clay” mixes stunning production with largely lightweight music

Andrzej Filończyk (left) and Myles Mykkanen in Mason Bates’ The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera The best works of art, in any medium, ...
The Classical Review

Three finalists take impressive last shots in Cliburn Competition

Evren Ozel performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Friday night at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Photo: Ralph Lauer It was ...
The Classical Review

Under Rouvali, Philharmonia sounds fresh and vital on 80th anniversary tour

Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra Monday night at the Music Center at Strathmore. Photo: Marco Borggreve London’s Philharmonia Orchestra returned to the Washington area for ...
The Classical Review

Grosvenor scales the heights with a trio of blockbusters for Chamber Music Maryland

Benjamin Grosvenor performed a recital for Chamber Music Maryland Sunday in Columbia. Photo: Marco Borggreve Chamber Music Maryland brought Benjamin Grosvenor back to the Horowitz Center in Columbia ...