Georgia Rowe

Georgia Rowe has been a Bay Area arts writer since 1986. She is Opera News’ chief San Francisco correspondent, and a frequent contributor to San Francisco Classical Voice, Musical America, San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, and San Francisco Examiner. Her work has also appeared in Gramophone, San Francisco Magazine, and Songlines.

Articles By This Author

Preview

Luigi Nono: Out of the Shadows

Georgia Rowe - February 12, 2010

Although many consider him one of the most significant musical figures of the 20th century, American audiences still haven’t caught up to Luigi Nono. The Italian composer — a leader in the postwar avant-garde, and a contemporary of Boulez and Stockhausen — remains something of an enigma in the West.

The San Francisco Contemporary Music Players venture where others fear to tread.

Feature

Berkeley Opera’s Big Moves

Georgia Rowe - February 2, 2010

Berkeley Opera has always been known for its adventurous spirit. While it has never enjoyed the large subscriber base — or extravagant budgets — of its high-profile counterparts, the company has given audiences a wide range of productions in the last three decades, offering forgotten masterpieces, English adaptations, and world premieres alongside standards of the repertoire.

Review

Effervescent “Pulcinella”

Georgia Rowe - January 30, 2010

It’s been a decade since the San Francisco Symphony presented an entire festival devoted to the music of Igor Stravinsky, but music lovers with fond memories of the two-week extravaganza in June 1999 had to be somewhat assuaged by the orchestra’s program last week at Davies Symphony Hall.

Preview

Exploring a Rich Musical Vein

Georgia Rowe - January 19, 2010

In today’s economic climate, it can be easier for musical organizations to find an audience than a permanent venue. Since founding the Gold Coast Chamber Players a decade ago, violist and Music Director Pamela Freund-Striplen has been steadily building a following for chamber music in Contra Costa County.

Review

Ringed by the Imaginative George Benjamin

Georgia Rowe - January 16, 2010

It’s always fascinating to hear where composers are coming from, as well as where they’re going.

Review

World Tour, For Strings

Georgia Rowe - January 12, 2010

Music composed before 1900 still pays the bills for many chamber groups, but our most adventurous ensembles, following the example of pioneers such as the Kronos Quartet, are increasingly likely to build their programs around works from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Cellist Steven Isserlis Celebrates Schumann

Georgia Rowe - January 5, 2010

Acclaimed for his “physical, sensual relationship” with his instrument, British cellist Steven Isserlis is an artist who combines brilliant technique with innate feeling.

Soprano Renee Fleming: Golden Girl, Undaunted

Georgia Rowe - November 24, 2009

Renée Fleming is one of the opera world’s most recognizable divas. Blessed with gorgeous good looks and a golden voice, the Pennsylvania-born soprano started her career in Mozart roles and soon moved on to her favorite composer, Richard Strauss.

Feature

Seeing Passion in Everyday Life

Georgia Rowe - November 24, 2009

For nearly 300 years, Bach’s Passions — oratorios retelling the story of Christ on the cross — have set the standard for musical depictions of suffering and redemption. Yet when David Lang set out to create a new work along similar lines, his first impulse was to leave Christian iconography behind.

An Interview With William Bolcom: Serendipity

Georgia Rowe - November 17, 2009

William Bolcom has always made his own way. Throughout his career, which has produced symphonies, operas, chamber pieces, and piano and vocal works, the Seattle-born, Michigan-based composer has often rejected the prevailing notions of what “serious” music should include.