Barbara Hannigan: A Force of Nature

Review

A giant video screen that had hovered ominously over the stage came alive with a real-time projection from behind the orchestra. While Hannigan's back was to the audience, we saw her from the orchestra's point of view.

Troubled women & striking stories: Bluebeard & Erwartung at COC

Review

It's an incredible night of theatre and music. Intense emotions, thick with ambiance, and incredible production value.

Fleming & Hampson: Dream casting in Nixon In China

Review

Fleming and Hampson are obviously a dream cast and collectively the three scenes become the classiest expression ever of the P.T. Barnum quote, 'Always leave them wanting more.'

Handel's Hercules marches solemnly into Carnegie Hall

Review

This is the English Consort after all. Its impeccable musicianship and Bicket's enlightened conducting are not to be taken for granted.

Big emotions, big voices, great opera: Rigoletto at the COC

Review

As I'd hoped, Quinn Kelsey's Rigoletto was outstanding. He seems to really be at the height of his Verdi game, and if he's not, boy am I excited to see that happen. His voice was powerful, colourful, and technically brilliant. His physicality though? That was stellar.

COC Barber of Seville chock full of debuts

Review

TL;DR Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. Boy wants to know she loves him for him, not his wallet. Boy employs services of person to get girl. Girl may or may not make it easier. Old guy tries to stop it (which may or may not involve money) or marry girl himself. Hijinks ensue. Some slash everyone gets married.

Franz Welser-Möst And The Cleveland Orchestra bring the Verdi Requiem, Mozart, and Shostakovich to Carnegie Hall

Review

The singers' ability to soar over orchestra and chorus and then combine as a unified force was emotionally gripping and astonishing in its power.

The 'Quiet Luxury' of haute-contre Cyrille Dubois

Review

The extraordinary range of songs and exploration Fauré's evolution bestow 'essential' status on this collection.

'Cotton is like a hurricane swept through and then gone...'

Review

Simple staging and minimalist lighting were an intrinsic part of the presentation, adding to the gravity. Bridges was dressed in a black and white gown and both performers sang with barely any gestures.

Hildegard: a composer trapped

Review

With this as Ms. Snider's inspiration, the composer appears to be trapped, musically, by her subject matter. Ms. Snider limits herself to what sounds like a nod to the music of Hildegard and her contemporaries, while also vigorously nodding to the avant-garde.