Saariaho’s Adriana Mater gets a rough but rewarding ride from the San Francisco Symphony

United StatesUnited States Saariaho, Adriana Mater (concert version): Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 11.6.2023. (HS)

Mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron hovers over baritone Christopher Purves © Brittany Hosea-Small

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A thrilling Frau ohne Schatten delivers the goods in San Francisco

United StatesUnited States R. Strauss, Die Frau ohne Schatten: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Sir Donald Runnicles (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 10.6.2023. (HS)

Camilla Nylund (Empress), Nina Stemme (Barak’s Wife), Johan Reuter (Barak) and David Butt Philip (Emperor) © Cory Weaver

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J’Nai Bridges and Ulysses Owens Jr. cross over their musical styles in ‘Notes on Hope’, with uneven success

United StatesUnited States Various, ‘Notes on Hope’: J’Nai Bridges (mezzo-soprano), Ulysses Owens Jr. (percussion), Reuben Rogers (string bass), Carol Robbins (harp), Ted Rosenthal (piano), David Rosenthal (guitar), Jalen Baker (vibraphone). San Francisco Performances, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, 28.4.2023. (HS)

Ulysses Oens Jr. © Rayon Richards

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Esa-Pekka Salonen finds his own style in Prokofiev after stumbling in Bartók

United StatesUnited States Ravel, Bartók, Prokofiev: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano), San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 17.2.2023. (HS)

Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard and the SF Symphony © Kristen Loken

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