Arts & Culture :: Music

Latin lesbian conductor takes podium

Latin lesbian conductor takes podium

  • by Roberto Friedman
  • Jan 21, 2020

Music director Jessica Bejarano, a lesbian Latina, is the founder and conductor of a new ensemble, the San Francisco Philharmonic. Their first concert comes up on Feb. 3 at the Wilsey Center in San Francisco.

Slings & arrows of an operatic 'Hamlet'

Slings & arrows of an operatic 'Hamlet'

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Jan 21, 2020

It's been a very good year for French opera and vocal music on recordings.

Linda Ronstadt, born to sing

Linda Ronstadt, born to sing

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jan 14, 2020

Directed by gay filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, "Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice" is not a standard bio-pic but more a celebratory portrait of the artist.

Beethoven, Violins of Hope kick off year

Beethoven, Violins of Hope kick off year

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Jan 7, 2020

Celebrations of Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birthday start Jan. 16-18 with MTT conducting Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring soloist Emanuel Ax.

Bay Area music, the year in review

Bay Area music, the year in review

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Dec 30, 2019

As we head into the new year, thoughts turn to Bay Area musical groups, leaders, and performers who manage to survive against the odds.

Two beloved singers delight in concert

Two beloved singers delight in concert

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Dec 23, 2019

Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and American soprano Dawn Upshaw are treasured singers with enduring careers

Best classical recordings of 2019

Best classical recordings of 2019

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Dec 23, 2019

My love of historical recordings doesn't blind me to the fact that we live in a golden age of music-making now, and that it is preserved at a higher rate than ever.

Candy-colored Christmas with Randy Rainbow!

Candy-colored Christmas with Randy Rainbow!

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Dec 17, 2019

Look out, Mariah Carey! Randy Rainbow has released a Christmas album that rivals yours: "Hey Gurl, It's Christmas."

They got the beat

They got the beat

  • by Roberto Friedman
  • Dec 17, 2019

The best thing about the new Go-Go's-songs musical comedy "Head Over Heels," now playing the New Conservatory Theatre Center, is that it isn't a jukebox musical at all.

Chanticleer cheers the season

Chanticleer cheers the season

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Dec 17, 2019

For many in the Bay Area, the holiday season doesn't really start until they've attended the annual Chanticleer Christmas concert.

Hanukkah gelt

Hanukkah gelt

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Dec 10, 2019

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale (PBO) and departing Music Director Nicholas McGegan made a warm-hearted gift to the holiday season last week with performances of Handel's stirring oratorio "Judas Maccabaeus."

Welcoming Eun Sun Kim

Welcoming Eun Sun Kim

  • by Roberto Friedman
  • Dec 10, 2019

The heartfelt welcome for incoming Music Director Designate Eun Sun Kim from the San Francisco Opera company, board, orchestra, stage crew and members of the press last Thursday could not have been more excited or sincere.

Future opera stars concertize now

Future opera stars concertize now

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Dec 10, 2019

It might seem impossible, but last week's "The Future Is Now: 2019 Adler Fellows Concert" at Herbst Theatre was more special than ever.

Music for wonderful Christmas time

Music for wonderful Christmas time

  • by Jason Victor Serinus
  • Dec 10, 2019

Welcome to the 2,373rd annual installment of our holiday music survey, filled with goodies for the good, the bad, and the naughty.