SF Opera's 'Antony and Cleopatra' - legendary lovers inspire operatic partnerships

Anticipation runs justifiably high for SFO's fifth production with composer John Adams' 'Antony and Cleopatra,' adapted from William Shakespeare's tragic love story, with consultation by director Elkhanah Pulitzer and dramaturg Lucia Scheckner.

Duly noted: Fall Arts classical music concerts

There's a celebratory quality to the classical music offerings this fall, in no small part out of gratitude that live performances can go on at all. The home team has seldom looked so good, and many of the visitors, too, are easy on the eye and ear.

Holiday concerts of note

The holidays are here and ready to celebrate in person. Opportunities to attend concerts and seasonal music events are plentiful and most performance venues are back to full capacity.

Music for a new century: Mark Adamo concerts at Bay Area venues

Live classical and contemporary music concerts are back. New Century Chamber Orchestra continues its season with a program featuring American contemporary works, including the world premiere of gay composer Mark Adamo's 'Last Year.'

Notes, worthy: opera, classical and chamber concerts this fall

Musical institutions in San Francisco and the Bay Area are emerging from the pandemic to offer new fall seasons, both in-person and online.

Back in business: SF Opera, Symphony return with live and drive-in concerts

After more than a year of waiting and worry, the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony are back to live, in-person performances of 'The Barber of Seville' and Adler Fellows drive-in concerts in Marin, and symphony indoor concerts.

Back to Baton: five decades of opera & symphony stories

Philip Campbell summates 50 years of the Bay Area Reporter's classical music and opera coverage, noting examples and adding personal remarks to recount his four decades of contribution.

SF Symphony records Berg's assured atonal works

It may be an acquired taste, but once music lovers develop an interest in the music of 20th-century composer Alban Berg, it can become a passionate preference, particularly via SF Symphony's new recording.

Pulling at heartstrings: 'Violins of Hope' live at Kohl Mansion

The touring concert 'Violins of Hope' brought a collection of instruments retrieved and restored from the Holocaust, to Northern California a year ago. One of the most memorable concerts in the triumphant tour is now available as a download and CD.

Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell: SF Symphony's Musical Director and conductor's legacy celebrated

Celebrations of Michael Tilson Thomas' farewell month as Music Director of the SF Symphony have transformed unavoidably. COVID-19 robbed the maestro of his triumphant final victory lap, but can't diminish the impact of his historic 25-year tenure.

Operas offstage, online

The other shoe dropped last week as the San Francisco Opera joined the growing list of music institutions cancelling the rest of their spring and summer seasons. SFO and other opera companies are sharing their productions online.

Scores to keep: San Francisco Symphony series, Copland soars

San Francisco Symphony's 'Keeping Score' series goes free online; Their performance of Aaron Copland's monumental Third Symphony's online at many music outlets.

Musical insights with Michael Tilson Thomas

Any performance of a Mahler symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas promises to be an event. His lifelong commitment to the composer always produces insight. Some works are so intertwined with MTT, it's hard to tell where composer ends, interpreter begins.

Sold-out concerts before the halls closed

A traveling violin superstar and two young singers on the rise filled local concert halls recently with sold-out crowds undeterred by worries about coronavirus.

SF Symphony: Two weeks of E.-P.S.

Hard on the heels of the recent announcement of Esa-Pekka Salonen's first season with the San Francisco Symphony, the Music Director Designate commenced two weeks of guest appearances at Davies Symphony Hall.

Salonen Year One: SF Symphony unveils 2020-21 season

The lobby of Davies Symphony Hall felt more like a big, glamorous bar last week as the San Francisco Symphony announced the 2020-21 Season, its first with Music Director Designate Esa-Pekka Salonen on the podium.

French masters bring concert hall flair

The San Francisco Symphony's February concerts cover the orchestra's full dynamic range, from Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt's mastery of tradition to Music Director Designate Esa-Pekka Salonen's contemporary flair.

Music as spur to memory

Two concerts in San Francisco recently evoked memories and underscored the importance of history, offering new hope for the future. One was a solemn memorial, the other a celebration of musical tradition.

Beethoven is this year's birthday boy

Say hello to 2020 with "Beethoven250," virtuosic guest soloists, a new co-commissioned work, and World and SFS Premieres.

SF Opera announces 2020-21 season

A first look at the San Francisco Opera's 2020-21 season announcement is predictably exciting. There are some bold and baffling surprises, but the reasons are smart and balanced.

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