Contact Us

Mailing address:
11720 Edgewater Drive
Suite 107
Lakewood, OH 44107-1769

Cendrillon enchants at CIM Opera Theater (Nov. 13)

by Mike Telin

Whether you know her as Cendrillon, Aschenbrödel, La Cenerentola, La Cenicienta, Soluschka, or, most likely, Cinderella, the story of that downtrodden stepchild is an irresistible fairy tale. It’s been turned into many operas, but perhaps most magically by Jules Massenet in his Cendrillon, beautifully produced by CIM Opera Theater in Kulas Hall on November 13.

Supported by engagingly, yet simple staging by Cara Consilvio, a well-prepared cast of singers told the archetypal story of Cinderella with charm and flair. Framing the production was a sparse but colorful set and wonderful lighting by Dave Brooks. [Read on…]

Genkin Philharmonic wows at the Bop Stop (Nov. 4)

by Mike Telin

We’ve all heard the hype — “Trust me, you’ve never heard anything like this before.” At long last that cliché proved to be correct on November 4 when the Buffalo-based Genkin Philharmonic presented a jaw-dropping, undefinable show for a capacity audience at the Bop Stop .

What makes this ten-piece electroacoustic chamber ensemble distinct from other contemporary music ensembles? It’s what they play. The evening’s repertoire included brilliant arrangements by Genkin founder and trumpeter Jon Nelson of music by Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa, classical compositions of Bartók and Prokofiev, as well as works written for the group by composers who are still very much alive.

[Read on…]

The Cleveland Orchestra: power and passion at El Niño (Nov. 18)

by Stephanie Manning

In the 22 years since it was written, John Adams’ El Niño has been programmed in all kinds of creative ways. The premiere of the oratorio was accompanied by a silent film, and the 2014 Spoleto Festival brought in a crew of puppeteers. But on November 18, The Cleveland Orchestra decided to keep it simple. The straightforward concert-style presentation, conducted by Adams, let the music speak for itself — and it had plenty to say.

El Niño, a modern retelling of the birth of Jesus, isn’t an easy work to explain. Commissioned at the turn of the millennium, the oratorio tells the Biblical story from new perspectives, primarily by centering women’s voices in the narrative. It combines traditional texts with the Wakefield Mystery Plays, Haggai, and ancient and contemporary Latin American poetry. Essentially, Adams set out to write his own Messiah — but while Handel’s work is unquestionably a celebration, Adams takes a more nuanced approach, tackling big questions about the nature of miracles, pregnancy, and motherhood.

The music isn’t easy to play, either. Over the course of two hours, all of the musicians brought fantastic focus to the unrelenting tricky rhythms and countless layers of parts, all of which require a high level of individual responsibility. Even in the moments of calm, the accompaniment remains perpetually unsettled. Adams — who made a sprightly presence on the podium — combines minimalist, repeating motives in gradual layers, which eventually become so dense they overwhelm the senses. Lisa Wong deserves special mention for her thorough preparation of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, as does Jennifer Rozsa for the Children’s Chorus, which made a brief but memorable appearance in the last few minutes. [Read on…]

See all reviews

Contact Us

Follow ClevelandClassical.com

Contact us