Bridge
La Cieca hears that Justin Davidson, classical music critic at Newsday for the past decade, is moving over to New York magazine, where he will take over reviewing duties from the departing Peter G. Davis. Davidson’s gig will also include writing about architecture.
Steve Smith at Night after Night has the full press release.
http://nightafternight.blogs.com
So what’s the buzz on this Davidson guy? Good reviewer or hack?
Davidson won a Pulitzer for criticism a few years back. I haven’t read much of his opera writing but he fills in on Alex Ross’s blog from time to time. He’s smart and unpompous. Not a hack. Good choice.
What, no post on TT’s review of David Del Tredici’s new “Gay Life”? (perhaps it’s too easy a target and does not qualify as opera per se)
Interesting: http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/6687.html
Woddy Allen doing opera? That might just get me out to LA…
Every time I go onto Playbillarts, EVERY TIME, I get a reason not to leave LA in September. It’s like, I’m moving, and everything is starting to happen!
Is La Cieca on vacation or something again? What’s with like 1 post per week! La Cieca RETURN TO US! There is quite a bit happening in the land of opera! Lot’s of summer festivals to talk about!
Let’s chat friends:
I have a question, and I would like to know your thoughts on it.
WHAT makes a great singer?
And I know that everyone has different favorite singers, but when you have been to a performance, and you have felt moved, and thought OMG, this is great singing, what was it?
Uniformity of tone? Variance of colors? Expressiveness and communication? Embodiment of character? quality of musicianship?
Everyone thinks differently, and I just… well. I just wonder. I wonder because for me, it is ALL about the voice. It transcends everything else. I know some other people who tell me their favorite singer, and I JUST. DON’T. GET. IT. I think, THAT person? REALLY?!?!??! So I wonder, what is it that makes a great singer, even if it’s not a great singer that everyone agrees on?
What makes a great singer? Well, I confess, It comes down to a very viseral thing for me: The ability to make me have to catch my breath. This could be durring a floated high note, an exquisetly held phrase or a perfect run of coloratura, or even a subterranian low note (for basses and mezzos).