In Thursday’s concert of mostly ballet music at Kodak Hall, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra showed flashes of pure brilliance. Unfortunately, the performance as a whole was lackluster. The RPO opened the program with a trio of AntonÃnDvořák’s “Slavonic Dances,” and was joined onstage by members of the Rochester City Ballet. Stare conducted with a light […]
Daniel J. Kushner
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COMEDY | Paul Rodriguez
Comedy @ The Carlson has quickly become a premier destination for stand-up comedy’s household names, respected road comics, and burgeoning talent alike. This Thursday, Veteran comedian Paul Rodriguez comes to town for a three-day run at The Carlson, bringing his impeccable timing, energetic delivery, and clever cultural observations to Rochester audiences. A longtime stalwart in […]
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THEATER | ‘The Royal Family”
Theater lovers in need of an escape from reality would do well to consider “The Royal Family” — a play about actors caught in their own bubbles — running now through February 18 at Lyric Theatre. Presented by Screen Plays, the comedy follows the Cavendishes — a notable family of thespians based on the real-life […]
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CLASSICAL | Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’
This week, the RPO will perform a lively concert featuring compositions specifically written for ballet or with movement in mind. With this focus on symphonic works for dance, Music Director Ward Stare has chosen some real gems that are ideal for his buoyant, charismatic conducting aesthetic, including Bartók’s thrilling ballet music for a rather seedy […]
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CHAMBER MUSIC | ‘Common Ground’
A joint presentation by contemporary classical ensemble fivebyfive and jazz-world fusion band The Rita Collective, “Common Ground” is guaranteed to feature music you’ve never heard live before. Area composers Dean Keller (The Rita Collective), Eric Polenik (fivebyfive), and Marc Webster wrote new works exclusively for this event. That lineup alone would be cause for celebration, […]
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CLASSICAL | Ian Bostridge and Julius Drake
An accomplished opera singer and eminent art song interpreter, tenor Ian Bostridge has a tone that can be alternately soothing and strong, tender and tenacious. On Tuesday, Bostridge will be joined by pianist Julius Drake for a performance of Franz Schubert’s epic song cycle “Winterreise” — “Winter Journey” — in its entirety. Singularly melancholic, the […]
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OPERA | ‘Les Enfants Terribles’
Eastman Opera Theatre is at it again. Following a triumphant production of Monteverdi’s “L’incoronazione di Poppea,” the troupe this week will offer a decidedly more intimate, modern work with minimalist composer Philip Glass’s “Les Enfants Terribles.” Based on the Jean Cocteau novel of the same name, the 1996 chamber opera follows two siblings as they […]
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THEATER | ‘The Hit Makers’
If you’re in a nostalgic mood for the music of the late 60’s, JCC CenterStage Theatre has you covered with “The Hit Makers, And the Beat Goes On,” beginning this Saturday and running through February 18. This musical revue showcases a smorgasbord of classic songs from a golden age in popular music, made famous by […]
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SPECIAL EVENT | RMSC After Dark: Night of Champions
The Rochester Museum & Science Center this Saturday continues its popular “RMSC After Dark” series of 21+ social gatherings, with “Night of Champions.” In anticipation of the upcoming XXIII Winter Olympic Games in South Korea, the event’s activities include meeting with local Olympians, Olympic trivia, Dutch shuffleboard, and more. A cash bar and snacks will […]
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RPO announces its 2018-19 season
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its 2018-19 season, and Music Director Ward Stare continues to hone the RPO’s artistic image under his tenure. The orchestra seems to be gradually and methodically working to elevate its status to one of more national relevance. While Stare’s programming tastes can frequently be conservative, the choices he makes […]
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CLASSICAL | Fifth House Ensemble
Fifth House Ensemble plays classical music on the cutting edge. If it’s new music by a living composer, it’s fair game for the 11-person group. Members of the Chicago-based ensemble will perform a concert entitled “Americana” this Saturday as guests of the Eastman School of Music’s Institute for Music Leadership. Violinist Charlene Kluegel, cellist Herine […]
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CLASSICAL | ‘Parisian Masses’
First Inversion begins its fourth concert season this Friday and Sunday with masses by two rather obscure French organist-composers, Louis Vierne and Jean Langlais. Led by founding Artistic Director Lee Wright, the 26-member vocal ensemble presents its “Parisian Masses,” featuring two organs. Whether you’re an aficionado of sacred music or you just enjoy the human […]
