The Classical Review

Mäkelä talks Mahler; Also Sibelius, Shostakovich, Walton, and his growing bond with the CSO

Klaus Mäkelä is the un-maestro. No imperious attitude or ego-driven power trips (backstage or on stage) at Orchestra Hall ...
The Classical Review

When symphonies collide: Mäkelä returns to CSO with sterling Sibelius and discordant Shostakovich

For the first program of his three-week fall residency with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Klaus Mäkelä is pairing one of the most concise and perfectly wrought symphonies in the repertoire with one ...
The Classical Review

Powerful singing, filmic visuals make for a probing “Helena” at Bard SummerScape

Jana McIntyre as Aithra in Strauss’s “Die ägyptische Helena” at Bard SummerScape. Photo: Maria Baranova Since its establishment in 2003, Bard SummerScape has become a destination to hear operas that ...
The Classical Review

New World Symphony & Miami City Ballet team up for new work with five premieres

“There is something magical about being in conversation with a living composer,” says Claudia Schreier. Schreier is one of five choreographers who have created new works for “American Dance Odyssey,” ...
The Classical Review

Mäkelä’s revisited “Firebird” takes memorable flight at Ravinia

Klaus Mäkelä conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in music of Stravinsky and Debussy Friday night at Ravinia. Photo: Kyle Dunleavy/Ravinia Festival The second and final program of Klaus Mäkelä’s ...
The Classical Review

A tragedy haunts the past and present in Met’s “Innocence”

Vilma Jää as Markéta and Joyce DiDonato as the Waitress in Kaija Saariaho’s Innocence at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Karen Almond / Met Opera Conductor Susanna Mälkki, one of Saariaho’s most ...
The Classical Review

Michael Tilson Thomas 1944-2026

Michael Tilson Thomas passed away Wednesday at his home in San Francisco, age 81. Michael Tilson Thomas died Wednesday at his home in the San Francisco Bay area. Artistic director laureate of the New ...
The Classical Review

Houston Grand Opera fetes Carlisle Floyd as composer, mentor and friend

Andrea Carroll performed “Ain’t it a pretty night!” from Susannah at Houston Grand Opera’s tribute to composer Carlisle Floyd Friday night. Photo: Melissa Taylor Carlisle Floyd was a young faculty ...
The Classical Review

Piano worlds collide with a pair of compelling new releases

Garrop: Invictus. Joie de vivre. Marta Aznavoorian, pianist. Scott Speck, conductor/Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra (Cedille). Two recent recordings present compelling music for piano cast in starkly ...
The Classical Review

Met opens season with impassioned vocalism in an atmospheric “Macbeth”

Lise Davidsen as Lady Macbeth and Quinn Kelsey in the title role of Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the Metropolitan Opera. Photo: Marty Sohl / Met Opera The Metropolitan Opera’s “The Voice Matters” slogan ...
The Classical Review

Guerrero, Grant Park Orchestra give rousing, eloquent performance of Copland’s Third

It’s been a good month for Aaron Copland in Chicago. Coming off an extended period of local neglect, the composer’s Appalachian Spring and Lincoln Portrait have been played by the Chicago Symphony ...