Category Archives: Uncategorized

You don’t really think about Wagnerian tunes as you might with a bel canto composer,  but of course he began writing in the era of romanticism and bel canto. His 1842 Tannhauser has some great tunes indeed. It’s totally listener-friendly … Continue reading →

The most fun is writing about the fun parts: Venice, 1966: “. . . Kurgapkina accompanied them when they went to a party given by the wife of a prominent artist. She had approached Osipenko in the wings of the … Continue reading →

In the comic first movement of Bourree Fantasque, the man asks for a kiss. The woman says no. He asks again. Still no. Then once more. Now she says yes, and now he’s not interested. I thought about that watching … Continue reading →

The former site of the Ballet Book Shop on Broadway near Lincoln Center remains vacant, unrented, undoubtedly priced at a an extortionate rate that will ensure it remains empty for some time. It is an ongoing, damning indictment of the … Continue reading →

Of course the DMV closings are deliberately intended to diminish voter turnout in Alabama–and we can thank Roberts and the Supreme Injustice gang. They methodically gutted the Voting Rights Act, brazenly ignoring the reality of voter suppression as they did … Continue reading →

At today’s matinee, New York City Ballet was doing everything it could to put on a great show. But ugh, that empty Fourth Ring.  It really looks dismal de-populated. Since they’re no longer selling seats up there up except for … Continue reading →

Teresa Reichlen comes alive on stage with the right partner. Two of the rightest are Zachary Catazaro, with whom I saw her dance Martins’ Symphonic Dances at Kennedy Center last spring, and Russell Janzen, with whom she danced Swan Lake … Continue reading →

An elected office holder, I mean.  And now a Presidential candidate. You can guess who I’m talking about. There is, of course, every cognitive and economic as well as spiritual and aesthetic reason to promote the arts and arts education. … Continue reading →

Hillary continues to handle things in a way that makes me doubt the fundaments of her modus operandi. Why does she fall into the classic Democratic defensive crouch when it comes to Benghazi? Why hasn’t she come out swinging?  Why … Continue reading →

Amazon will give you its own preview. The photo of Osipenko on tour in Holland is one of my favorites.