Harvey Steiman

Salonen and the SFS extend works by Ravel and Schoenberg with stagings, dancing and singing

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United StatesUnited States Ravel, Schoenberg: Mary Elizabeth Williams (soprano), Alonzo King LINES Ballet, San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco. 8.6.2024. (HS)

Adji Cissoko (left) and Shuaib Elhassan (right) in Ravel’s Mother Goose © Kristen Loken

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Innocence, Kaija Saariaho’s masterpiece, packs a wallop in its U.S. premiere in San Francisco

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United StatesUnited States Saariaho, Innocence: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Clément Mao-Takacs (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 1.6.2024. (HS)

Rotating set for a wedding venue and the scene of a school shooting © Corey Weaver/SFO

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Set in the silent movie era, The Magic Flute delivers pluses and minuses in San Francisco

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United StatesUnited States Mozart, The Magic Flute: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / Eun Sun Kim (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 30.5.2024. (HS)

Lauri Vasar (Papageno) made mute by the Ladies removing his lips and teeth © Corey Weaver/SFO

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Vocal allure and big personalities make Berkeley recital by Amina Edris and Pene Pati a winner

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United StatesUnited States Various – ‘Voyages’: Amina Edris (soprano), Pene Pati (tenor), Robert Mollicone (piano). Cal Performances, Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, 23.4.2024. (HS)

Amina Edris and Pene Pati singing together at previous performance © Petr Dyrc

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In Berkeley: countertenor Orliński’s dramatic singing and Pomo d’Oro’s vivid playing lifts the recital form

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United StatesUnited States Various, ‘Beyond’: Jakub Józef Orliński (countertenor), Il Pomo d’Oro. Cal Performances, Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, 9.4.2024. (HS)

Jakub Józef Orliński and Il Pomo d’Oro (previously in Warsaw) © Grzesiek Mart

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