Hercules conquers Carnegie Hercules conquers Carnegie

William Guanbo Su and Ann Hallenberg are compelling in The English Concert’s presentation of Handel‘s Hercules at Carnegie Hall.

By March 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM
2 comments
Hear the dance Hear the dance

I confess to being a “bad” dance fan: over the decades I’ve learned that if I don’t love (or at least like) the music, I won’t love the dance.

By April 09, 2024 at 9:00 AM
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Coronations and other occasions Coronations and other occasions

While Charles III’s coronation (with Harry but without Meghan and Fergie) commences in London on Saturday, the party started early last month at Carnegie Hall when the Orchestra of St. Luke’s joined by La Chappelle de Québec performed Handel’s gloriously celebratory Coronation Anthems which were composed for a 1727 crowning.

By May 02, 2023 at 10:59 AM
45 comments
Good grief Good grief

There are no words superlative enough to describe this celebration of Orpheus’ grief, and I truly applaud San Francisco Opera for presenting such food for thought that will definitely resonate long after with me.

By November 19, 2022 at 11:34 AM
15 comments
Seria effect Seria effect

While it must be admitted that Elza van den Heever doesn’t have an ideally warm and agile Handel voice, she evidenced fierce control over her instrument and skillfully built a powerful portrait of the courageous Rodelida fighting for her survival.

By March 15, 2022 at 10:09 AM
83 comments
A place in the shade A place in the shade

Next Wednesday is the composer’s 337th birthday, so Trove Thursday previews this spring’s most enticing Handel performance with two very different live versions of his delightful Serse,.

By February 17, 2022 at 10:16 AM
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Old-Fashioned Oratorio Old-Fashioned Oratorio

For the fourth annual edition of “Handel for my birthday” Trove Thursday serves up three heaping portions of “old-fashioned oratorio.”

By October 08, 2020 at 10:00 AM
6 comments
Drag me to hell Drag me to hell

My first-ever Met Sunday opera brought the welcome return of Gluck’s sublime Orfeo ed Euridice in an enchanting afternoon that combined elegant conducting, joyous dancing and Jamie Barton’s extraordinary hero.

By October 21, 2019 at 11:02 AM
78 comments
Get happy Get happy

Lincoln Center hosted two milestones this week.

By November 23, 2013 at 2:08 AM
18 comments
A river runs through it A river runs through it

I can think of no other case that resembles Handel’s complex relationship to the story—derived from Ovid’s Metamorphoses—of the ill-fated love between the shepherd Acis and the sea nymph Galatea.

By October 27, 2013 at 9:38 PM
41 comments
A boozy short leave A boozy short leave

After 23 years, the Queen of Carthage has finally made it to Manhattan.

By August 24, 2012 at 10:44 AM
33 comments