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: Don Giovanni
Two casts retell the story of the great seducer who gets his comeuppance. by Paul J. Pelkonen Luca Pisaroni (left) here as Leporello and Peter Mattei (second... Read more
Posted on 22 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Concert Review: A New Hope
The Jaap van Zweden era begins at the New York Philharmonic. by Paul J. Pelkonen Jaap van Zweden emerges, Orpheus-like.Photo by Roger Neve © 2018 The New York... Read more
Posted on 21 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Iolanta/Duke Bluebeard's Castle
Two fairy tales of love and terror returns with new divas. by Paul J. Pelkonen Inset: a scene from Iolanta with Anna Neterebko. To her left, Judith, the wife... Read more
Posted on 20 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Samson Et Dalila
The Met opens its 2018 season with Saint-Saëns' Old Testament thumper. by Paul J. Pelkonen Mr. DeMille, they're ready for their closeup: Roberto Alagna (left)... Read more
Posted on 19 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Pélleas Et Melisande
Is it a fairy tale, or a nightmare of domestic violence? by Paul J. Pelkonen Melisande at her well. Photo by Marty Sohl © 2019 The Metropolitan Opera. Read more
Posted on 19 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
The Bernstein Legacy: Some Americans in Paris
Looking back at a flawed but interesting 1988 La bohème. by Paul J. Pelkonen The catalogue of any large record company is filled with interesting failures:... Read more
Posted on 17 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Concert Review: A Long Trip to Jupiter
The New York Philharmonic brings back 2001. by Paul J. Pelkonen Class in session: the man-apes and the Monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey.Image © 1968 Warner... Read more
Posted on 17 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Adriana Lecouvreur
A new production for a New Year, with Anna Netrebko. by Paul J. Pelkonen They swoon. They smooch. They sing! Piotr Beczala supports Anna Netrebko. The singers... Read more
Posted on 14 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Concert Review: Journey to the Center of the Soul
The New York Philharmonic drinks our milkshake. by Paul J. Pelkonen Pipe line: Daniel Day Lewis in There Will be Blood.Image © 2008 Ghoulardi Film Company,... Read more
Posted on 13 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: The Magic Flute
The Met brings back its sturdy Flute for another toot. by Paul J. Pelkonen Bald soprano: Kathryn Lewek tears up as the Queen of the Nightin The Magic Flute.... Read more
Posted on 11 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: La Traviata
The Met appeases its audience with a new, traditional staging of Verdi's tragic masterpiece. by Paul J. Pelkonen Costume design for Violetta, the star of La... Read more
Posted on 10 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Otello
Gustavo Dudamel makes his Met debut. There's singing, too. by Paul J. Pelkonen Baritone Željko Lučic returns as the evil Iago from Verdi's Otello.Phot... Read more
Posted on 09 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
The Bernstein Legacy VII: Mahler's Seventh Symphony
The Symphony No. 7 was the first installment in Leonard Bernstein's Mahler cycle. by Paul J. Pelkonen A nocturna; triptych: the cover art of the 1985 Mahler... Read more
Posted on 08 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Il Trittico
Played together, these three short operas form one of Puccini's most ambitious works. by Paul J. Pelkonen The three operas of Il Trittico: Il Tabarro (upper... Read more
Posted on 08 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Les Pêcheurs De Perles
Pretty Yende takes a dive as the Met revives Bizet's early opera. by Paul J. Pelkonen Soprano Pretty Yende returns to the Metropolitan Opera. Photo by Hao... Read more
Posted on 02 September 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
The Verdi Project: Falstaff
The 87-year old composer gets the last laugh with his last opera. by Paul J. Pelkonen Falstaff in the Laundry Basket by Johann Heinrich Füssli, painted in... Read more
Posted on 31 August 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Mefistofele
Arrigo Boito retells the Faust legend, from the Devil's perspective. by Paul J. PelkonenMefistofele (in the red pajamas, left) faces down the heavenly hoist in... Read more
Posted on 29 August 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
The Verdi Project: Otello
Verdi's penultimate opera was also the end of his 13-year retirement.by Paul J. PelkonenThere aren't many great Otellos so here's a lot of images of one:... Read more
Posted on 28 August 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
Metropolitan Opera Preview: Carmen
The most popular opéra-comique of all time has a bloody ending.by Paul J. PelkonenThe Met ballet corps opens Act II of Carmen at the Met.Photo © 2016 The... Read more
Posted on 27 August 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA -
The Bernstein Legacy VI: Mahler's Sixth Symphony
Yes, this is "the one with the hammer."by Paul J. PelkonenCover art by Erte for the Mahler 6th © 1987 Deutsche Grammophon. Photo of Daniel Druckman by Chris... Read more
Posted on 26 August 2018 CULTURE, THEATRE & OPERA