When you listen to patrons, you realize Mozart shopped at Walmart.

I enjoy eavesdropping when I'm at a classical music concert because it's a win/win situation. I've heard illuminating conversations and spectacularly mundane conversations, both are good. The illuminating is obviously beneficial but what of the glorious mundane? Whenever we hear …

The San Diego Symphony gives a fantasy performance of Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique.

The second half of the San Diego Symphony concert was Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique. Nuvi Mehta came out and talked us through the different episodes of the symphony and the feminine inspiration behind them. The insights that Mehta shares are invaluable. …

Destiny forces itself politely while Jeremy Denk gets quirky with it.

The San Diego Symphony put on a well-balanced, well-played, and well-received concert on Saturday night at Symphony Hall. The program was Verdi's overture to La Forza del Destino, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, and Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique. The Verdi was …

Run 10K, get a holiday cocktail

Hot Buttered Run and Kid's Kandy Kane Race? For reals? This might be the most delicious race I've heard of--excepting that one marathon in France where there are wine a cheese "aid stations" every mile. This is a 10K run/walk …

Bonita is claiming to have one of the fastest courses in the country.

If you're in the Bonita area on Sunday there is a 10K to benefit local cross country teams. The course is two loops around a golf course and it is very flat. The event is claiming to be one of …

Got a wild hair for a half marathon? Hit this one up "just because"

Borrego Springs High School is holding their second annual half marathon to raise funds for its athletic programs. The half marathon is rapidly replacing the 5K as the recreational event of choice and this sounds like an excellent spur of …

First time event is a big success for schools.

The 1st Annual Carmel Valley 5K and Kid's Fun Run was a huge success. The event was sold out three days before the race date and it raised $35,000 for the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation (DMSEF). The event doubled …

Lovers Andrea and Maddalena decide to get their heads cut off as one.

After revisiting La mamma morta I went ahead and did a YouTube survey of about a dozen different performances of the finale duet from Andrea Chenier, Vicino a te. The real Andrea Chenier was a poet from the French Revolution …

Orchestra Nova files for chapter seven bankruptcy.

“Orchestra Nova is announcing today that it has decided to cease operations and has filed a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy case. This announcement is the result of the impasse in our negotiations with the Local 325 American Federation of Musicians …

Remember that movie where Tom Hanks had AIDS? It also had opera.

A fellow chorister from San Diego Opera posted a question on the chorus group's wall. She was asking for suggestions for a mix CD of opera highlights she was putting together for her mother-in-law. There was a tremendous response and …

After losing my way with smartphone apps, Garmin gets me back on the path of righteousness.

Now that I have an event in mind, The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, and a goal for that event, 3:15:00 or better, it's time to keep track of stuff. I've reviewed a few running apps for smart phones but there …

A 5K to support science, music, art etc.

The 1st Annual Carmel Valley 5K and Kid's Fun Run is Saturday, December 8th. The proceeds from this event will go to support the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation. The 5K is for ages six and up and the one …

Run or walk like an Egyptian in your 60's, 70's, or 80's vintage attire.

Do you still have your workout clothes from the 60's,70's, or 80's? If so then you have an excellent chance to show them off this weekend. The Retro Run 5K is coming to San Diego this Sunday, December 9th. The …

The legendary film composer visits San Diego for two concerts.

John Williams will be conducting the San Diego Symphony this coming weekend. Yes, it’s that John Williams, the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Close Encounters, Harry Potter, E. T., Schindler’s List, et al John Williams. The concerts will be on …

Sacra/Profana serves up a variety of musical styles along with homemade cookies.

The choral group Sacra/Profana gave a free community Christmas concert Sunday night at Mission Hills United Methodist. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. The singers wore decorative Christmas sweaters and scarfs. The program for the concert was included 16th century …

Tenors are supposed to be hollow-headed resonance chambers. Nick Munson illuminates Respighi's Laud to the Nativity

Singing the part of the shepherd in the upcoming performance of Laud to the Nativity is local tenor Nick Munson. Nick has a beautiful and pleasing tenor voice which fits the shepherd’s solo like glove. Tenors are often said to …

Tired of the Messiah? Me too. Go hear Respighi in Point Loma.

Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity has long been a favorite piece of Christmas music. However, it has long been overshadowed by Handel’s Christmas oratorio thingy--you know what I’m talking about. On Sunday December 16th there is an excellent opportunity to …

The difference between running and training.

This is the first serious week of my marathon training. The difference between going for a run and training is not that big, at the start. I ran three times last week. I did five miles, five miles, and seven …

Early American imp produces first compositions in the colonies and young country.

William Billings seems like an appropriate composer to get to know during this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Whenever we find any information on Billings his appearance is the first thing that is mentioned. He had a bad eye, a withered …

Leftovers are great but let 'em rot and go find an event to run.

The day after Thanksgiving--what do we do? We eat a modest amount of leftovers and pick a spring or summer event to start training for. A good way to get through the holidays and stay in shape is to pick …