Edward Ortiz

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

The St. Louis Symphony reaches out to the Davis community with a rarely played Beethoven symphony and the brilliant violinist James Ehnes performing Berg.

A standout ensemble from Chicago, Axiom Brass, makes a sterling West Coast debut, performing challenging and rewarding works.

The Mondavi Center’s Young Artists Competition shines attention on yet another crop of brilliant performers, this year widening its scope to national level. And Bay Area youth continue to win pride of place.

Is music most rewarding as a group activity? Preliminary research results seem to suggest so.

The conflict in a musical adaptation of an Israeli children’s book mirrors the problems of a major California city.

Although less than “grand,” a respectable production of Rigoletto is given at the Sacramento Community Center.

The free Festival of New American Music, in Sacramento, presents a variety of welcome works that bode well for the future.

A smartly laid out program of violin works, old and new, dexterously conveyed emotion while it purveyed lofty musical ideas.

After canceling part of its 2010–2011 season, the Sacramento Opera ponders its future, including a possible merger with the Sacramento Philharmonic.