If one was looking for a definite sign that the peripheral effects of the pandemic had at last faded away, 2023 was an almost perfect answer. Readership of articles on Arts Knoxville grew some 20% over 2022, paralleling the increase and importance of local opportunities in music, theatre, and visual arts. February alone showed a 50% increase over 2022. But, just what were the topics and events that stimulated and attracted readers in 2023? Here are the TOP 11—or so.
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The #10 and #11 articles differed by only a few readers, so I’m calling this one a quasi-tie.
#11 — Review: Knoxville Opera’s ‘Falstaff’ – An Exhilarating Winner
October, 2023 – Review: Knoxville Opera’s ‘Falstaff’ – An Exhilarating Winner
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#10 (Tie) — Review: Marble City Opera’s ‘Susannah’ Finds Magic in the Outdoors
June, 2023 – Review: Marble City Opera’s ‘Susannah’ Finds Magic in the Outdoors
#10 (Tie) — Review: A Powerful Mozart ‘Requiem’ from Knoxville Symphony and Knoxville Choral Society
April, 2023 – Review: A Powerful Mozart ‘Requiem’ from Knoxville Symphony and Knoxville Choral Society
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#9 — Review: Clarence Brown Theatre’s ‘Trouble In Mind’ Throws a Powerful Spotlight on Lost Opportunities
February, 2023 – Review: Clarence Brown Theatre’s ‘Trouble In Mind’ Throws a Powerful Spotlight on Lost Opportunities
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#8 — Review: River & Rail Theatre Co. Explores Secrets and Truths in ‘Fun Home’
June, 2023 – Review: River & Rail Theatre Co. Explores Secrets and Truths in ‘Fun Home’
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#7 — Results: Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition–Tennessee District
January, 2023 – Results: Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition–Tennessee District
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#6 — UT Symphony Orchestra Wins The American Prize in Orchestral Performance For 2023
November, 2023 – UT Symphony Orchestra Wins The American Prize in Orchestral Performance For 2023
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#5 — Review: Clarence Brown Theatre’s ‘Hair’
April, 2023 – Review: Clarence Brown Theatre’s ‘Hair’
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#4 — Big Ears 2023 — Living Inside the Music
Eric Dawson’s Big Ears articles are always essential reading for listeners!
April. 2023 – Big Ears 2023 — Living Inside the Music
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#3 — Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Announces 2023-2024 Season
There was a palpable sense of excitement over the KSO’s announcement of its next season.
March, 2023 – Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Announces 2023-2024 Season
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#2 — Knoxville Opera Announces 2023-24 Season of Operas
June, 2023 – Knoxville Opera Announces 2023-24 Season of Operas
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#1 — Big Ears Announces Collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma on “Our Common Nature”
It would be an understatement to say that Knoxville listeners were thrilled by the news that legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma would be performing at a special event in Knoxville.
February, 2023 – Big Ears Announces Collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma on “Our Common Nature”
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Best wishes for Happy Holidays from Arts Knoxville
