Events
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Reviews from Kathryn J Allwine Bacasmot
Chicago Opera Theater: Handel's Teseo
Chicago Opera Theater is currently presenting Handel’s Teseo, which concludes their “baroque trilogy devoted to the exploration of operas with Medea as a central character.” Previous installments were Cavalli’s Jason, and Charpentier’s Medea. In the interest of this review, it will suffice to note the work’s central plot is defined by Medea’s (Renée Tatum) desire for Teseo (Ceclia Hall), her jealousy for the love Teseo shares with Agilea (Manuela Bisceglie), and her manipulation of the king Egeo (Gerald Thompson) to attempt to get her way—i.e. marriage with Teseo and disposal of Agilea. Supporting characters include Clizia (Deanna Breiwick) and her lover Arcano (David Trudgen). Those interested in a full synopsis may find it available through the Handel House.
The Borromeo String Quartet at The Chicago Chamber Music Society
We are fortunate to enjoy a full calendar of music each season here in Chicago. The variety is endless—performances of all sizes, personalities, and genres, take place in a plethora of venues. Every now and again all the elements align and something magical transpires. That happened this past Saturday evening at the seventy-sixth concert hosted by the Chicago Chamber Music Society featuring the Borromeo String Quartet.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Dawn Upshaw at Orchestra Hall
A boutique crowd of half capacity greeted the Australian Chamber Orchestra and American soprano Dawn Upshaw this past Sunday afternoon at Orchestra Hall. Those fortunate enough to attend were rewarded with a series of impeccable performances with repertoire spanning two centuries.
Chicago Composers Orchestra Premieres: Gabriel Prokofiev, Elliot Cole, and Brian Baxter
Let it be known: the Chicago Composers Orchestra has arrived. Now in their second season, they have gone from being a passionate collective to a galvanized force punching new energy into Chicago’s so called “new music” scene. Part of what is shaping them into one of the coolest new kids on the block is their total lack of agenda. They aren’t on some breathless crusade save “classical” music armed with neon lights and cocktails to prove it’s chic. They aren’t troubled by pretensions or seem to be gripped with any need to impress anybody. It’s simply a group of people bound together by the belief that new music is important—vital even—and that experiencing it is a fresh adventure. In the words of CCO co-founder and President Brian Baxter, when you come to a CCO show, “you can’t rely on 200 years of opinions.”
Contempo: A Celebration of Sofia Gubaidulina
Last year the University of Chicago conferred upon Russian/Tatar composer Sofia Gubaidulina (b. 1931) an honorary doctorate—making her the first composer to be given such an honor by the University. This past Wednesday night at Harris Theater the University of Chicago’s Contempo ensemble (this city’s venerable 46 year-old new music group) presented a program devoted exclusively to Gubaidulina’s works. In her opening statements, Shulamit Ran, Artistic Director of Contempo and faculty member at U of C, explained the evening was originally meant to culminate in a world premiere. However, due to persistent health issues the composer found it necessary to postpone the completion of her new piece for the ensemble entitled A Pilgrimage of Four. Instead, Ran and Gubaidulina selected other works from her oeuvre as substitutions.
"Tilson Thomas Conducts Beethoven" with pianist Jeremy Denk at the CSO: Highly Recommended
It’s a gift-giving season and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is in on the act this weekend offering a collection of musical jewels in their red velvet Orchestra Hall box. On the program: Gustav Mahler’s Blumine, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no. 3 and Brahms’ Piano Quartet no. 1 in G Minor, op. 25 orchestrated by Arnold Schoenberg. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts with pianist Jeremy Denk. What is so unique about this line up is, to continue with the metaphor, these works are loosened from their traditional settings giving us the opportunity to enjoy brilliance shining from every direction possible and gain fresh perspective.
Cambridge Jones, "Talking Pictures" - portraits of musicians and other performing artists
Musicians, like actors, assume a persona in our imaginations that may or may not have anything to do with who they are in reality. Furthermore, whilst we often have the pleasure of seeing our favorite interpreters perform live, we most often enjoy their talents by way of recording. In other words, this physical art form is frequently disembodied.
Enter Cambridge Jones, photographer. Mr. Jones has a large repertoire of portraiture. Thus, an aspect of his work is about embodying.
Currently, you have the opportunity to see one of Mr. Jones’ portrait exhibits, “Talking Pictures,” which is featured in one of the Pop-Up galleries conveniently located in the Loop, which I visited the evening it opened.
Haymarket Opera Company "Aci, Galatea e Polifemo": HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The City of Chicago has a handful of exceptional ensembles focusing on music of the 17th and 18th centuries and is, of course, home to the world renowned Lyric Opera. But one group doesn’t specifically offer operas and the other offers operas aplenty but not exclusively within a historic performance practice context. That’s where Haymarket Opera Company (HOC) comes in to fill the awkward gap (a.k.a “gaping hole”). This is their debut season. We who adore proper Baroque opera are collectively breathing a sigh of relief.
Third Coast Percussion with Tim Munro at Mayne Stage
Your mother’s beating heart was the first sound you ever heard, and every day you live and breath, you create a constantly evolving rhythmic symphony between your pulse, your inhalation/exhalation, and your footsteps. Then of course, there is the voice, with all its lyrical possibilities. A kind of hard-wired resonance is hibernating within us, waiting to a reason to wake up. This past week, the alarm clock went off at Mayne Stage where Third Coast Percussion (TCP) – along with Tim Munro, the tremendously talented flutist of Eighth Blackbird (another stellar Chicago ensemble) – presented their concert “Bells and Whistles.”
Chicago Sinfonietta - a fond farewell to Maestro Paul Freeman
Musical Excellence Through DiversityTM is the mission of the Chicago Sinfonietta, which was established in 1987 by Maestro Paul Freeman. Concluding an extraordinary career spanning a childhood in the segregated South to becoming the first African-American to conduct in some of the most famous halls in the world, Maestro Freeman steps down as Music Director and Conductor this season. In a concert this week presented at Orchestra Hall, Freeman symbolically passed the baton to Mei-Ann Chen the ensemble’s Conductor and Music Director Designate in a program appropriately entitled “Women in Classical Music.”