Festival Opera's genderbending, laugh-filled Alcina proves Handel can be just as fun as he is florid.
On the live album, six vocalists sing works by Black composers — including Margaret Bonds, Jorell Williams, and Lead Belly — brilliantly.
The album’s centerpiece is a 15-minute composition by co-founder, first violin, and resident composer David Balakrishnan.
While clarifying its complex music, conductor James Gaffigan’s interpretation lacked the power of storytelling.
For her debut with SF Symphony on July 1, the conductor will lead Mendelssohn’s “Reformation” Symphony.
Esa-Pekka Salonen did a masterful job of concert programming and great performers did the rest.
