Before a a thrilled audience, as though she could do no wrong, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe dedicated her take-no-prisoners voice to a winning program of French song and American popular classics from the 20th century.
A single concert from the Berkeley Symphony is proof that an orchestra with a smaller budget and acoustically challenged venue can be more interesting than an entire season of more richly endowed orchestras.
Guest conductor James Conlon led the S.F. Symphony a standout piece by composer Erwin Schulhoff and notable performances by Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Mark Inouye.
With music from the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale conducted by Nicholas McGegan, Acis and Galatea, a Cal Performances co-production and world premiere is a delight.
There are plenty of clues that classical music is alive and well in the Bay Area, evidenced by an all-motets concert by American Bach Soloists that drew a large, incredibly enthusiastic audience.