United States Various: Lawrence Brownlee (tenor), Kevin J. Miller (piano). San Francisco Performances, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, 29.2.2024. (HS)
Lawrence Brownlee rises to the occasion in a varied recital in San Francisco
Harvey Steiman
Dazzling Brahms from Fischer trumps the San Francisco Symphony’s dramatic Stravinsky
United States Stravinsky, Brahms: Sasha Cooke (mezzo-soprano), Nicholas Phan (tenor), Luca Pisaroni (baritone), Julia Fischer (violin), San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 23.2.2024. (HS)
San Francisco Opera in 2024-2025
San Francisco Opera takes a step back in the 2024-25 season
After a 2023-24 season that featured three significant and well-received new operas, San Francisco Opera this week announced a 2024-25 season with fewer performances and only one company premiere – The Handmaid’s Tale, which dates from 2000.
Renée Fleming shows her versatility in an innovative recital in Berkeley
United States Various: Renée Fleming (soprano), Howard Watkins (piano). Cal Performances, Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, 9.2.2024. (HS)
Mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis rewarding San Francisco recital of music associated with women
United States Various: Raehann Bryce-Davis (mezzo-soprano), Jeanne-Minette Cilliers (piano). Presented by San Francisco Performances, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, 27.1.2024. (HS)
Tilson Thomas and San Francisco Symphony’s refined, superbly focused Mahler on an emotional evening
United States Mahler: San Francisco Symphony / Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 25.1.2024. (HS)
Is Here We Are Stephen Sondheim’s Falstaff?
Stephen Sondheim’s self-reverential Here We Are
Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim notoriously resisted the idea that his musicals were operas. He would recoil at any comparison between his score for Here We Are, the show he was still tweaking at his death two years ago, and Verdi’s for Falstaff, but it keeps nagging at me.
Sleek and lively Bach and Schubert in San Francisco
United States Legion Chamber Music – J. S. Bach, Schubert: Alexander Barantschik (violin), Peter Wyrick (cello), Anton Nel (piano and harpsichord). Presented by San Francisco Symphony, Gunn Theater at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, 3.12.2023. (HS)
