In concert, Itzhak Perlman's playing puts amplification concerns to rest, proving he would be just as beguiling on an electric violin as on a Stradivarius.
West Edge Opera’s production of Vanessa is brought to vibrancy by the music and fine acting and singing, but is somewhat hampered by its partial production.
Highly regarded singer/songwriter Gabriel Kahane came to Lara Downes’ The Artist Sessions at Yoshi’s, bringing hip, sardonic humor and introspective lyrics with him.
With Dolores Claiborne the S.F. Opera overcame seemingly impossible odds, beautifully marrying music with a difficult drama; and in the title role, Patrica Racette triumphing over an unimaginable challenge.
The first volume of chamber pieces for strings from Saariaho offers a fine, if occasionally jarring, survey of nearly a quarter century of the composer's work.
