Group 2013 January

Classical Music archive for January, 2013

I remember when Costello sang his first Tonio at San Diego Opera.

Which is the better story, finding Babe Ruth's rookie card at a yard sale for a dime or hearing Stephen Costello sing his first Tonio?

Having a conversation with Stephen Costello isn’t like having a conversation with an opera singer even though his speaking voice ...

Conclusion of Yves Abel interview at San Diego Opera

Maestro Abel holds forth on risking it all and leadership.

Continuing the conversation with Yves Abel. San Diego Reader: We've seen conductors who have been very positive but haven’t always ...

Tonio for the first time at San Diego Opera

World famous tenor Stephen Costello debuts the role of Tonio at San Diego Opera

Singing on the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera season is a testimony to a singer’s ability. Not only is ...

Yves Abel Shrugs

Is it an open heart or an Ayn Randian egotist? Perhaps both?

As mentioned, I sat down and chatted with Yves Abel. We let ourselves roam around a number of subjects. We ...

Opera conductor takes on Dos Equis guy in Daughter of the Regiment (1 of 3)

Who is the most interesting man in the world? I submit Yves Abel for your consideration.

Yves Abel appears to have been almost everywhere: Berlin, London, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Rome, Palermo, Paris, Nice, Lisbon, ...

Wagner triangle

Ride the triangle with the Valkyries.

We were bombing our way down the freeway when Ride of the Valkyries began to play. My eight-year-old daughter looked ...

A little more Mendelssohn

A few marginal pieces by Mendelssohn.

Since Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is going on this weekend, I decided to explore some of his other music and keep ...

Popular concerto at San Diego Symphony

Six years in the making, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto headlines at Symphony Hall this weekend.

The Mendelssohn Violin Concerto is coming up this weekend at the San Diego Symphony. This concerto is one of the ...

80 accomplished singers in Samson

With 80 singers who know what they're doing, the San Diego Opera chorus for Samson is ready to smash or be smashed.

All 80 singers were there last night for the first combined chorus rehearsal of San Diego Opera’s Samson et Dalila. ...

When Verdi was 85 he found religion

Verdi's Four Sacred Pieces were the last things he composed.

Verdi's Four Sacred Pieces are something I've been meaning to listen to since 1993, or so. This 365 idea is ...

365 new classics

How about a new piece of classical music every day for a year?

What to do for the New Year? I was thinking about listening to a piece of music I’ve never heard ...