Legendary Mariachi performs original opera at Civic Theater.

Cruzar la cara de la luna--To cross the face of the moon--the first Mariachi Opera. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5ZPiFSTSO4 “Yes I’m going, that’s the best Mariachi band in the world!”, said the opera-singing soprano with a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy. Was I …

Classical music has been lamely mimicking the mainstream but every now and again someone does something amazing.

Classical music-videos have made an attempt to be relevant for years. When they mimic pop videos, it’s annoying. Who wants to see a close up of an opera singer lip syncing? Not I. The videos of complete performances are effective …

Why won't my schedule let me see this monstrous tour de force from the Met?

I so wanted to go see the Metropolitan Opera HD broadcast of Parsifal on Saturday March 2nd. The performance is live from the Met and is shown in movie theaters across North America. The show started at 9:00 am and …

An obscure but rewarding opera by Austrian composer Alexander von Zemlinsky.

While I have failed to keep my New Year’s resolution of listening to a new piece of music everyday, I have bumped into some quality pieces in the attempt. Recently an Austrian composer named Alexander von Zemlinsky has been occupying …

The Calder Quartet does TedxTalks and tries to keep the quartet fresh.

The Calder Quartet came together at USC and stayed together through grad school at the Colburn Conservatory and the Juilliard School. The quartet has a strong connection to the traditional form of string quartet but keep themselves firmly rooted in …

A concert update with a few options in Balboa Park this weekend.

There is cutthroat competition going on Thursday, February the 28th at 6:30 pm. It’s all going down at the at the Mingei International Museum. The Mingei has long been known for it’s iconography and death matches. In reality, the competition …

Feeling like crap? Here's some music for flu season.

While most of my body continues to function properly and efficiently, I have been forced to turn my attention to music for influenza. I’m not admitting to any dis-ease but there are moments when I want to curl up in …

What's classical in San Diego this weekend?

There are multiple concerts this weekend in classical music. Samson et Dalila continues at the Civic Theater on Friday the 22nd at 7:00 pm and Sunday the 24th at 2:00 pm. The San Diego Youth Symphony has a concert at …

World Challenge is offering a fresh 5K and farmer's market.

Charity World is a small San Diego based group that is trying to improve the lives of the poor and the underprivileged via agriculture. The Charity World Challenge is coming up on Saturday February 23rd, from 9:00 am to noon. …

I talked to Clifton Forbis about everything except Samson.

Samson et Dalila opened at San Diego Opera on Saturday February 16th. I sat down to talk with the man singing Samson, Clifton Forbis. San Diego Reader: What's your darkest, deepest secret? Clifton Forbis: Is that thing recording? SDR: Yes. …

Nadia Krasteva talks about going to the opera, other great singers, and Dalila.

An interview with Nadia Krasteva: San Diego Reader: What can opera audiences do to get the full opera experience, to get beyond the sets, costumes, and music? Nadia Krasteva: When I go to the opera it is always helpful if …

Run 5K, get a burrito.

If you like the burritos then the Rancho San Diego Run is the event for you. All participants will receive a special runners burrito at the finish area. The burritos will be prepared by Albert’s Fresh Mexican Food. The event …

A nice 5K around Santee Lakes followed by a warm picnic lunch.

The Third Annual Home of Guiding Hands 5K is this Saturday the 16th of February at 11:00 am. The proceeds go to support 800 children and their families. The goal of $25,000 has already been surpassed. Online registration is closed …

Conductor Mei-Ann Chen whips Rimsky's beautiful concubine with the help of the San Diego Symphony.

After the intermission I noticed that there was no music stand for the conductor. Hmmm, guest conductor Mei-Ann Chen was going to do this one from memory. This could be good. My hopes increased. Concert master Jeff Thayer was going …

Never have I waited with more impatience for a piece than I did for Scheherazade on Sunday at Symphony Hall. There were a couple reasons for my restless anticipation. Reason number one is that I love Scheherazade. Reason number two …

Bulgarian Mezzo Nadia Krasteva sings her first Dalila ever at San Diego Opera

Nadia Krasteva is making her San diego debut as the vengeful seductress Dalila in Saint Saens’ Samson et Dalila at San Diego Opera. Her American debut was as Carmen at the Chicago Lyric Opera. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/feb/07/39700/ Long before she was a …

It might be a stretch but here's an attempt to compare Niners fans to Paul in Korngold's Die Tote Stadt.

The Super Bowl is over. Having been born in the Bay Area and having gone to high school near the Bay Area, needless to say I wanted the Niners to win the Super Bowl. I’m a left-coaster and prefer any …

Does the movie Platoon make good use of Barber's Adagio for Strings?

The opera chorus is in staging rehearsals for Samson et Dalila this week. In the story of Samson, the Philistines are the bad guys. Spoiler alert, everyone dies. With all the Philistines walking around the stage I couldn’t help but …

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 is well placed. He speaks more like a dude you’d grab a burger with at Hodad’s. However, make no mistake, …

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 maintained a high standard. You appear to be able to stay positive and keep a high standard. Yves Abel: I’m …