Classical Music Reviews

Every week, our professional critics attend concerts throughout the Bay Area to let you know what went well...and occasionally what didn't. Let their insights enrich your musical experiences, and feel free to share your own views!

Opera REVIEW
Opera Parallèle Bernstein's <em>Trouble</em> Is Our Joy
April 26, 2013
Opera Parallèle
Bernstein's Trouble Is Our Joy
BY Jason Victor Serinus

Opera Parallèle’s Trouble in Tahiti is brought to life by an excellent cast and fine instrumental ensemble, and shines as the engaging, moving, and oft-delightful romp that Bernstein intended.

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Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra REVIEW
San Francisco Chamber Orchestra Young Artists Aired by S.F. Chamber Orchestra
April 26, 2013
San Francisco Chamber Orchestra
Young Artists Aired by S.F. Chamber Orchestra
BY Thomas Busse

In its free concert of semistaged works, S.F. Chamber Orchestra provides a platform for younger singers to strut their stuff in works both old and fresh.

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Choral REVIEW
A Valiant Choral Battle Cry
April 26, 2013
A Valiant Choral Battle Cry
BY Maggee VanSpeybroeck

David Lang’s battle hymns evokes emotions related to the Civil War, as well as substantial music and dance forces.

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Chamber Music REVIEW
Yoshi's San Francisco Out and About With Lara Downes
April 24, 2013
Yoshi's San Francisco
Out and About With Lara Downes
BY Molly Colin

Mixing it up, Lara Downes brings adventurous music lovers up close and personal with performers, in a lively, jazz club setting.

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Chamber Music REVIEW
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts Three's Quite a Pairing: Hampson, Adamo, and Jupiter
April 24, 2013
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
Three's Quite a Pairing: Hampson, Adamo, and Jupiter
BY Edward Ortiz

Mark Adamo explores the unusual pairing of baritone with string quartet, achieving handsome (and Hampson) results.

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Dance REVIEW
Cal Performances Alvin Ailey Brings Down the House
April 23, 2013
Cal Performances
Alvin Ailey Brings Down the House
BY Janice Berman

The return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for its second engagement at Zellerbach Hall since Robert Battle took over the artistic directorship is, to judge from Tuesday’s opening, a rip-roaring audience success.

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Recital REVIEW
San Francisco Symphony On the High Seas With the Remarkable András Schiff
April 21, 2013
San Francisco Symphony
On the High Seas With the Remarkable András Schiff
BY Jonathan Rhodes Lee

That consummate pianist András Schiff enraptures a capacity crowd with his mastery of his instrument, playing Bach’s “English” Suites.

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Recital REVIEW
Irish Shamrock: Tara Erraught's Spring Bouquet
April 21, 2013
Irish Shamrock: Tara Erraught's Spring Bouquet
BY Jason Victor Serinus

After two widely touted triumphs at the Bavarian State Opera, the gifted ball of smiling Irish energy known as mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught performs at Weill Hall in the Green Music Center.

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Dance REVIEW
Alonzo King Lines: Double-Bass, Dance Party
April 19, 2013
Alonzo King Lines: Double-Bass, Dance Party
BY Janice Berman

Alonzo King Lines Ballet throws itself an elegant, if late, 30th-anniversary celebration, with a work in collaboration with virtuoso Edgar Meyer central to the occasion.

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Chamber Music REVIEW
Ives Quartet: Singular Execution
April 19, 2013
Ives Quartet: Singular Execution
BY Be'eri Moalem

A fascinating moment in the Ives String Quartet’s concert is the last movement of Lou Harrison’s Quartet Set Usul; a case-study in string literature monophony.

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