Reviews

In a magnificent performance as the Götterdämmerung Brünnhilde, Nina Stemme stands as a Wagnerian goddess amid an exceptional cast.

In a rare Bay Area appearance, the Royal Danish Ballet performs La Sylphide, a template of tragedy in the ballet canon: woman idealized, then destroyed.

In Washington State, the Icicle Creek Piano Trio makes its repertoire sound natural, but almost too easy.

An unknown sacred work by Antonio Vivaldi receives its Bay Area debut, voiced by Chora Nova.

John Adams is baaaack in his “fun chamber,” with a spirited, quasi-redux chamber symphony that pulsates with joy.

Despite some regrettable directorial and production choices, S.F. Opera’s Siegfried still delivers strong characters that are very well sung, backed by first-class playing from the orchestra pit.

The gorgeous music of legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane enchants an outdoor crowd at Yerba Buena Gardens.

In a stark production strong on violence and collapse, the San Francisco Opera delivers a powerful Siegfried distinguished by a superb Brünnhilde, Mime, and Forest Bird.

Julia Wolfe's latest CD Cruel Sister is yet another example of how spellbinding and consistently engaging the composer is, this time in works fueled by a powerful story.

A performance by the San Francisco Bach Choir of the B-minor Mass doesn't take advantage of a wealth of resources available in the talented group.