December 2, 2005

About Ottmar Liebert's CD Winter Rose--Music Inspired by the Holidays, Steve Morse writes for the Boston Globe: "Flamenco/new age guitar star (and former Bostonian) Liebert offers some heady instrumental meditations on the season. He touches on a few traditioal carols ('O Little Town of Bethlehem' and a pretty 'O Holy Night'), but a lot of this is very serious, complex, original material that is sometimes just too dry. But it should appeal to people looking for something different."

December 1, 2005

In Portland, Maine, PORTopera has planned a production of Mozart's Don Giovanni for summer 2006.

July 15, 2005

Belle And Sebastian

This DVD features Glasgow's pop ensemble and includes all of their promo music videos, additional film for videos but never used, 2 short films outlining the band's history, interviews with band members (first ever), new interviews, TV performance footage, live footage, a discography section, allowing the viewer to preview a sample of each track, montage sequences combining film and stills.

January 31, 2005

CLASSIC RESPONSE

MUSIC STARS UNITE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY AT LONDON'S ROYAL ALBERT HALL ON MARCH 31ST 2005.

Some stars associated more or less with the classical musical world have agreed to perform at a major one-off benefit concert at London`s Royal Albert Hall in aid of the victims of December's Tsunami disaster in South East Asia. Confirmed performers (in alphabetical order) include Aled Jones, Amici Forever, Bond, Celtic Tenors, Duel, Emma Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, G4, Julian Lloyd Webber and his new Bossanova Band, Keedie, Opera Babes and Russell Watson.

November 7, 2004

This afternoon the Cantata Singers presented a beautifully moving performance of Schumann's Scenes from Goethe's Faust at Jordan Hall in Boston, conducted by David Hoose. Among the soloists were baritone David Kravitz (Faust), soprano Jennifer Foster (Gretchen), bass Mark Andrew Cleveland (Mephistopheles), and tenor Charles Blandy (Ariel). The chorus was excellent.

September 21, 2004

The compact disc Aria 3: Metamorphosis is being released on September 21, 2004, as a follow-up to the previously released successful CD’s Aria and Aria 2. Paul Schwartz, who conceived, created and performed the recording, has transformed some operatic melodies to create contemporary ambient/dance soundscapes. Broadway’s Tony-nominated Rebecca Luker provides soprano vocals. A chorus is heard to dramatic effect on some of the selections. Some selections are instrumental. Those who enjoyed the previous recordings are likely to enjoy this one as well. Among the arias that Schwartz has chosen as his inspiration are Handel’s “Ombra mai fu” from Serse, Puccini’s “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” from La Rondine, Verdi’s “Amami, Alfredo” from La Traviata, and Handel's "Lascia ch'io pianga" from Rinaldo. This recording is not for serious opera fans who are almost certain to prefer the original orchestrations of the arias with the voice more prominent minus the backbeat. But fans of ambient music who appreciate the electronic backbeat and contemporary arrangements may find these pieces hauntingly beautiful.

April 26, 2004

The DVD version of the staged Glyndebourne production (1996) of Handel's Theodora is scheduled for release in late June 2004 at amazon.com and amazon.co.uk.

Cast List
Dawn Upshaw ... Theodora
David Daniels ... Didymus
Frode Olsen ... Valens
Richard Croft ... Septimius
Lorraine Hunt ... Irene