Reviews

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Protests and Tchaikovsky with the Israel Philharmonic in O.C.

Protests and Tchaikovsky with the Israel Philharmonic in O.C.

REVIEW: The performance, which also included Jewish-themed music by Bruch and Bernstein, was a mixed bag but proceeded without a hitch.

March 28, 2025

Something for Everyone at the Orange County Museum of Art – Including an Umbrella?

Something for Everyone at the Orange County Museum of Art – Including an Umbrella?

REVIEW: There’s a sense of things nearly getting out of control in Sun Yu-Xin’s latest body of work, and that seems appropriate for these times.

March 21, 2025

Vienna Philharmonic Brings Distinctive Sound to Beethoven and Strauss

Vienna Philharmonic Brings Distinctive Sound to Beethoven and Strauss

REVIEW: Yefim Bronfman shines as soloist, Nézet-Séguin almost makes ‘Ein Heldenleben’ work.

March 10, 2025

London Symphony Shows its Stuff in Mahler

London Symphony Shows its Stuff in Mahler

REVIEW: Newly appointed chief conductor sweated the details with Mahler; pianist Yunchan Lim balanced chops and restraint with Rachmaninoff.

February 21, 2025

Electric Company Theatre's 'White Rabbit Red Rabbit' Surprises with its Unrehearsed Spontaneity

Electric Company Theatre’s ‘White Rabbit Red Rabbit’ Surprises with its Unrehearsed Spontaneity

REVIEW: With a new actor performing every night, each show sparks with hesitations, discomforts and vulnerabilities.

February 14, 2025

SCR World Premiere Paints A New Portrait of Joan Rivers

SCR World Premiere Paints A New Portrait of Joan Rivers

REVIEW: Tessa Auberjonois’ uncanny, tour-de-force realization of the icon elevates Daniel Goldstein’s script.

November 4, 2024

London Philharmonic Provides Luxury Tchaikovsky but is Outshone by Soloist

London Philharmonic Provides Luxury Tchaikovsky but is Outshone by Soloist

REVIEW: Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja put on a show with Shostakovich.

October 14, 2024

St.Clair Opens His 35th Pacific Symphony Season with Nostalgic Agenda

St.Clair Opens His 35th Pacific Symphony Season with Nostalgic Agenda

REVIEW: Duplicating his first program, he all but admits it’s his final season.

September 27, 2024

Just How Great is Great Park Live?

Just How Great is Great Park Live?

We assess Irvine’s shiny new “temporary” amphitheater during a recent Pacific Symphony performance.

August 7, 2024

Tianyi Lu Leads Pacific Symphony in a Singing Account of Sibelius

Tianyi Lu Leads Pacific Symphony in a Singing Account of Sibelius

REVIEW: The young conductor from New Zealand makes a big impression in the composer’s Second Symphony, and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. It’s been a season of speed dating for...

May 17, 2024

Shiyeon Sung Leads Pacific Symphony in Impressive Performance of Tchaikovsky

Shiyeon Sung Leads Pacific Symphony in Impressive Performance of Tchaikovsky

REVIEW: The Korean conductor, the first woman to try out for the orchestra’s music directorship, exhibits authority and intelligence. Shiyeon Sung became the first woman conductor this season to try...

April 26, 2024

With 'Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical,' SCR Adds New Wrinkles to the Play it Originated 36 Years Ago

With ‘Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical,’ SCR Adds New Wrinkles to the Play it Originated 36 Years Ago

REVIEW: Playwright Craig Lucas and company have, for better or worse, wrought a different theatrical animal, seemingly missing key emotional dynamics. In the opening scene of “Prelude to a Kiss,...

April 21, 2024

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