Superconductor
Since 2007, Superconductor has grown from an occasional concert or CD review to a near-daily publication covering classical music, opera and the arts in and around NYC, with excursions to Boston, Philadelphia, and upstate NY. And no, I'm not a conductor.
MY BLOGS
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Paul Pelkonen
http://super-conductor.blogspot.com/
Honest content and criticism of today's classical music scene.
The site includes classical music and opera reviews, CD and DVD reviews and recommendations, and the occasional opinion piece on the state of the classical music industry. The goal of Superconductor is to provide concise, well-written reviews for the classical music lover and novice alike.
LATEST ARTICLES ( 2463 )
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Metropolitan Opera Preview: Les Troyens
The Met brings back Berlioz' classical epic. by Paul Pelkonen The Trojan Horse in Act I of Les Troyens in the Met's production. Image © 2003 The Metropolitan... Read more
Posted on 24 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Don Giovanni
Last year's production returns with a new cast. by Paul J. Pelkonen The Bourbon Street rag: Michael Grandage's dilapidated Don Giovanni. Image © 2011 The... Read more
Posted on 23 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Concert Review: The King of New York
The [kāj] Ensemble premieres 100 Waltzes for John Cage. by Paul J. Pelkonen John Cage in 1986. Photo by Andreas Pohlmann © the photographer. Too often, the... Read more
Posted on 23 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Happy Birthday, Claude-Achille Debussy
The father of modern French music turns 150. Claude-Achille Debussy Today we're celebrating the sesquicentennial birth of one Claude-Achille Debussy, composer,... Read more
Posted on 22 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Aida
The Met brings back its big Egyptian show...again. by Paul J. Pelkonen Trapped in Egypt: Hui He as Aida.Photo by Marty Sohl © 2009 The Metropolitan... Read more
Posted on 22 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Opera Review: Divorce, English Style
Read my review of Henry VIII on The Classical Review. Catherine of Aragon (left) and her lady-in-waiting (and successor) Anne Boleyn. The two Queens figure... Read more
Posted on 21 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: La Clemenza Di Tito
The Met revives Mozart's last opera seria. by Paul J. Pelkonen They knew hats in Ancient Rome: Elina Garanča in a Vienna production of La clemenza di... Read more
Posted on 21 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Brass Tacks: Bel Canto
Our series on Opera Styles visits Italy in the early 19th century. by Paul J. Pelkonen Anna Netrebko's appearance in I puritani at the Met touched off a surge o... Read more
Posted on 20 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera: Un Ballo in Maschera
David Alden drops his new Masked Ball on the Met. by Paul J. Pelkonen "Your Majesty, you have dandruff.": Dmitri Hvorostovsky (left) shares hair secretswith... Read more
Posted on 20 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Le Nozze Di Figaro
The Met revives Jonathan Miller's production of the Mozart comedy. by Paul J. Pelkonen Act IV of Mozart's Figaro. Production by Jonathan Miller.Photo by Marty... Read more
Posted on 19 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Opera Review: There's a Riot Goin' On
Downtown Dell'Arte Opera Ensemble occupies Carmen. by Paul J. Pelkonen A fresh approach to bullfighting at Dell'Arte Opera Ensemble's "occupied" Carmen. Read more
Posted on 18 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: The Tempest
The Met goes back to the...um...ensorcelled atoll. by Paul J. Pelkonen Simon Keenlyside is Prospero, out for revenge--starting with his tattooist.Promotional... Read more
Posted on 18 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Concert Review: Romantic Living
Osmo Vänskä conducts at Mostly Mozart. by Paul J. Pelkonen The pianist Rudolf Buchbinder. Photo by Marco Borggreve. In recent decades, the Finnish conductor Osm... Read more
Posted on 17 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Otello
Johan Botha and Renée Fleming return in this anticipated revival. by Paul J. Pelkonen A formidable general: Johan Botha as Otello. Photo by Ken Howard © 2009... Read more
Posted on 17 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Brass Tacks: Basses
How low can they go? (The answer is, usually a low "D.") by Paul J. Pelkonen Matti Salminen as Hagen in Götterdämmerung at the Savonlinna Festival. Photograph b... Read more
Posted on 16 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Il Trovatore
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Il Trovatore by Paul J. Pelkonen Carmen Giannatasio, the Metropolitan Opera's new Leonora in Il Trovatore. The Metropolitan... Read more
Posted on 16 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
The Superconductor Interview: David Greilsammer
The fiery pianist talks about recitals, Mozart and his new disc Baroque Conversations. by Paul J. Pelkonen Firebrand: The pianist David Greilsammer. Photo © Son... Read more
Posted on 16 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Brass Tacks: Baroque Opera and Opera Seria
Opera before the revolution. by Paul J. Pelkonen A typical over-the top baroque extravaganza. This is a scene from Handel's Xerxes. "Baroque opera" is a... Read more
Posted on 15 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Carmen
Anita Rachvelishvili returns as Bizet's sexy Gypsy woman. by Paul Pelkonen Sex type thing: Anita Rachvelishvilli as Carmen.Photo by Marty Sohl © 2010 The... Read more
Posted on 15 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Brass Tacks: Baritones
The "middle" of the male voice. by Paul J. Pelkonen Verdi's Falstaff is a pinnacle of the baritone repertory. Here, Ambrogio Maestri has a pint. Photo © 2011... Read more
Posted on 15 August 2012 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA