Hello everyone. Long time no chat. Hope you’re all safe, healthy, and in good spirits during these challenging times. I know I’ve been mostly incommunicado, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic went full-bore crazy; alas, my other non-CKDH personae have required my attention lately. That said, I’ve been working on writing more (again). I’ve started multiple … Continue reading
Once again, the nice folks at Los Angeles Opera have invited me and the rest of the distinguished usual suspects to share our insightful observations, witty opinions, and occasional double entendres at the final dress rehearsal of one of their productions — 140 characters at a time. Tonight’s fun: The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner. … Continue reading
Gustavo Dudamel returned to the Los Angeles Philharmonic podium for the first time since October 14, 2012. Most of the next few weeks will be devoted to preparing programs for the orchestra’s upcoming tour to Europe and New York, but this past weekend’s concerts were not going to be played out of town. On paper, … Continue reading
There was a time not too long ago that had you mentioned that a fair-haired, mop top, wunderkind conductor was standing on the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s podium, your image would have been of an Englishman rather than a Venezuelan. Simon Rattle (not yet knighted) was Principal Guest Conductor from 1981 to 1994, though as the … Continue reading
Many people enjoy Wagner’s Ring. Some are even devoted to it enough trapse across the globe to see full productions of it. I am neither of those types of people. I’ve always respected it when critics were willing to acknowledge their inherent biases against a particular composer or performer. The late great Alan Rich made … Continue reading
All is Yar 