The Classical Review

Compelling Garrop premiere anchors Chicago Philharmonic’s Ear Taxi concert

Among the 210 composers whose music is being given this month as part of Ear Taxi Festival 2025, Stacy Garrop is the most prominent of those representing the city of Chicago.
The Classical Review

Belcea Quartet delivers world-class artistry in Chicago

Now in its 31st season, the Belcea Quartet, like many venerable ensembles, has seen its share of personnel changes. Founding first violinist Corina Belcea and violist Krysztof Chorzelski are the only ...
The Classical Review

Mäkelä returns to Chicago Symphony for a brilliant and blazing night of Berlioz

As on his recent recording with the Orchestre de Paris, Mäkelä brought a fresh approach, vast dynamic range, and richly ...
The Classical Review

Opera creators find the light of love amid the horror of “The Shining”

Since its 2016 premiere as part of Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative, the opera has seen repeat productions across the ...
The Classical Review

Rust Belt bel canto: Met provides a dark, mostly compelling update to “Lucia”

Nadine Sierra in the title role of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Marty Sohl Cheers greeted Simon Stone and his creative team Saturday night as they walked onstage ...
The Classical Review

Dubious “Dutchman” and trenchant “Tosca” refract two classics through modern lenses at Santa Fe Opera

Nicholas Brownlee and Elza van den Heever in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman at Santa Fe Opera. Photo: Curtis Brown/SFO General director Robert Meya has given Wagner fans cause to rejoice: Santa Fe Opera ...
The Classical Review

Tapped as Chicago Symphony music director, Klaus Mäkelä makes an exhilarating stand with Shostakovich

Klaus Mäkelä conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Thursday night. Photo: Todd Rosenberg Even so the 28-year-old maestro was welcomed upon his entrance Thursday night at Orchestra Hall with ...
The Classical Review

Three finalists take impressive last shots in Cliburn Competition

Evren Ozel performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Friday night at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Photo: Ralph Lauer It was ...
The Classical Review

A dazzling desert season bears rich fruit with Santa Fe Opera’s Debussy, Monteverdi

Samantha Hankey and Huw Montague Rendall in Debussy’s Pelleas et Melisande at Santa Fe Opera. Photo: Curtis Brown/SFO The libretto of Pelléas, adapted almost directly by the composer from the ...
The Classical Review

A beautiful, riveting tragedy with Chicago Symphony’s Mahler Sixth

Jaap van Zweden conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 Thursday night. Photo: Todd Rosenberg With multiple street closures and exits off the Drive shut down for a race in ...
The Classical Review

Santa Fe Opera rounds out comeback season with brilliant Verdi and Wagner

Quinn Kelsey stars in the title role of Verdi’s Falstaff at Santa Fe Opera. Photo: Curtis Brown The most complex works on the stage this summer at Santa Fe Opera came at the end of the first full week ...
The Classical Review

Outstanding new opera, “Loving v. Virginia,” makes a moving debut

Flora Hawk and Jonathan Michie star in the world premiere of Damien Geter’s Loving v. Virginia at Virginia Opera. Photo: Dave Pearson Virginia Opera is marking its golden anniversary season in the ...