ArtsCriticATL.com

Paris – In 2007, I was in Paris for, among other things, a performance of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” by the Opera National de Paris, to be conducted by Valerie Gergiev, one of the world’s best-known conductors. Ten minutes after the performance was supposed to start, an announcement was made that Gergiev’s flight was late and that he [...]

Irish composer and performer Jennifer Walshe will be the guest of adventurous new-music ensemble Bent Frequency in a December 5 concert at Georgia State University’s Florence Kopleff Recital Hall. The program will consist entirely of two multidisciplinary works by Walshe: “XXX_ Live_Nude_Girls!!!” and “Atlanta 2089.” Parents should note that “mature content” is involved. Although some [...]

The Riverside Chamber Players performed a matinee concert on Sunday featuring two highly programmatic works: Bedřich Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 (subtitled “From My Life”) and the world premiere of “I’ve Been to the Ocean” by Brian Dallow. The program took place at the Bridge to Grace Church in Roswell. Violinists Kenn Wagner and David [...]

Memorial Drive is a collaborative series by ArtsCriticATL and BURNAWAY about the history of the arts in Atlanta. Putting a fresh spin on the old phrase “memory lane,” the series title also honors its namesake, the long road that runs from downtown Atlanta to Stone Mountain. The series explores the theme of memory, holding that, in order to [...]

The Atlanta Opera’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” should be seen as a turning point for the company, which continues to transform itself under the leadership of General Director Dennis Hanthorn. I attended the November 15 performance; further performances will take place November 18 and 20. For tickets, click here. What has changed is the company’s willingness, in [...]

The Ying String Quartet played an engaging program of music by Arensky, Moravec and Beethoven last night at Kennesaw State University’s Bailey Performance Center. It was the final note of their four-day KSU residency, which included a series of master classes for students and a pair of community outreach performances. The quartet was formed in [...]