The Lotte Lenya Competition Finals will return to Eastman School of Music on Saturday, and this year, the stakes have been raised. Top prizes of $10,000, $15,000, and $20,000 (the competition’s largest prizes) are up for grabs among 14 musical theater singers, which have been narrowed down from 266 initial applicants. Finalists hail from across […]
Daniel J. Kushner
Posted inArts & Entertainment
DANCE | ‘Summer of Love’
As we head into warmer weather, Rochester City Ballet’s 2016-17 season finale is fittingly called “Summer of Love.” Running Thursday through Sunday at Rochester Auditorium Theatre, RCB’s latest work features the music of some of the greatest artists to emerge in the 60’s: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Animals, Cat Stevens, The Byrds, and more. […]
Posted inMusic
CLASSICAL | “Fracture/Refractured”
The Easter season and contemporary classical music, this Maundy Thursday, will converge at Rochester Brainery when The International Artist Initiative presents “Fracture/Refractured,” a chamber music program featuring the works of important living composers. Estonian composer Arvo P#rt’s “Fratres” for string quartet brings lovely reverence to the fore, while the solo cello work “Sept Papillons” by […]
Posted inMusic
CLASSICAL | Emanuel Ax
The illustrious pianist Emanuel Ax arrives in Rochester on Monday with an excellent program of intimate impromptus, both classic and new. Ax will present Franz Schubert’s alluring and enigmatic Four Impromptus alongside rising contemporary composer Samuel Adams’ “Impromptu 2 ‘After Schubert.’” The program also features music by arguably the most beloved composer for the piano, […]
Posted inMusic
VOCAL | Classical Idol
If you’ve ever been frustrated with televised singing competitions — inconsistent vocal performances, musically illiterate judges, and all — don’t worry. This Saturday, the Rochester Oratorio Society will host the finals of its 11th annual Classical Idol competition at Temple B’rith Kodesh. In search of the next crop of up-and-coming opera singers, art song recitalists, […]
Posted inMusic
CLASSICAL | Juan Trigos
Contemporary composer and conductor Juan Trigos may have gone under your classical music radar before, but now there’s no excuse. Trigos will be at Eastman School of Music as a Howard Hanson Visiting Professor, presenting two free recitals featuring his alluring yet mysterious music. On Wednesday, April 5, a concert given by classical guitarist and […]
Posted inSpecial Sections
‘House show’
More underground concert venues have started to pop up around Rochester, offering an intimate music experience
Posted inMovies
Fast Forward expands into third year
Now in its third year, the Fast Forward Film Festival has expanded to include 17 entries among its official selections. The films, all created by locals, and each clocking in at five minutes or less, include a balanced mix of independent documentaries and animated shorts. The festival continues to focus on environmentally conscious films. However, […]
Posted inMusic
CLASSICAL | Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion”
There is perhaps no vocal work more significant in the classical repertoire than Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion.” An unparalleled example of Bach’s genius, it features the composer’s quintessential sense of symmetry, rhythmic synchronicity, and glorious harmonic tension. Under the direction of conductor David Chin, the Voices Chamber Choir and Orchestra — along with […]
Posted inMusic
CLASSICAL | Manuel Barrueco
Cuban-born guitarist Manuel Barrueco will bring his sumptuous tone, sparkling articulation, and fluid phrasing to Kilbourn Hall on Tuesday. A masterful interpreter of works by canonic artists and 20th century composers alike, Barrueco is equally comfortable performing as an orchestral soloist and recitalist. In addition to works by Manuel de Falla— including selections from “The […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Theater review: ‘Hands on a Hardbody’ at Blackfriars
The penultimate production of Blackfriars Theatre’s 2016-17 season is an interesting one. “Hands on a Hardbody” is a 2012 musical co-written by Trey Anastasio of Phish and Amanda Green. Any traces of Anastasio’s killer guitar chops and jam band intuition have vanished, and in their place is a collection of enjoyable but predominantly generic pop-rock […]
Posted inMusic
CLASSICAL | Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
There has been no shortage of recent discussion about Russian political influence in America, but it might just be time to take a break and listen to Russian music performed by an American orchestra instead. This Thursday and Saturday, guest conductor James Feddeck will lead the RPO in a sweeping program highlighting two greats of […]
