[On October 26, The Metropolitan Opera in New York City brings back its much-loved production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg for six performances, including one Saturday matinee and two Sunday matinees. That’s the reason for this post.] This blog is usually referred to as my “personal” blog, and that’s certainly true in this case, …
Music
A Day for Reflection
Walking down Fifth Avenue just after dark last night, we could see the two commemorative 9/11 light shafts. They were at the foot of Manhattan, shining their seemingly endless high blue columns into the sky. The day itself – September 10 – had been weirdly reminiscent of September 11 in 2001. Absolutely beautiful weather, not …
Independence Day: A Musical Observance for Our American Birthday
On Sunday we Americans celebrate Independence Day, our July Fourth “birthday” commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a day on which we often try to give thought to our history, and the values that have shaped that history over the last 245 years. Celebrating the Day No matter where in the …
Manhattan Joy: Voices of Ascension
Sometimes we “big-city” types can go a little overboard, but there’s no question that being part of the so-called “critical mass” in New York City has its advantages. And for those who take special pleasure in beautiful choral music (as most readers know, I’m one of them), wandering about pre-pandemic New York provided many splendid …
A Little Inspiration Perhaps
As we struggle with what’s happening all around us, from time to time we need a little inspiration. I recommend listening to two choral pieces. Both are pretty remarkable and speak to us – it seems to me – in our current situation. In the first, the Met Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, …
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