Without doubt, the very things that make Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) compelling theatre are also the things that can become mind-boggling difficulties in modern productions. Its allegorical themes of enlightenment vs. ignorance, and the basic good vs. evil…
This Weekend: UT Opera Theatre’s ‘The Magic Flute’
The University of Tennessee Opera Theatre is once again downtown at the Bijou Theatre, this time for a production of Mozart’s final opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). The production, directed by James Marvel with musical direction by Kevin Class,…
In the ‘Mercury’: Review of KSO’s ‘Mozart and Mendelssohn’
Last weekend’s Knoxville Symphony Orchestra concert featured Rossini’s Overture to William Tell, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major (pianist Conrad Tao), and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 in A Minor (“Scottish”). The guest conductor was James Feddeck. My review of…
‘A Shayna Maidel’ at CBT Lab Theatre 3/26-4/12
Barbara Lebow’s drama of a post-war family relationship following the Holocaust, A Shayna Maidel, runs in the Clarence Brown Theatre’s Lab Theatre from March 26 until April 12. The run is sold-out, but a first-come first-served waiting list will be established 45…
Preview: KSO Visits Rossini, Mozart, and Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Symphony
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Masterworks “Mozart and Mendelssohn” Thursday and Friday, March 19, 20, at 7:30 p.m., Tennessee Theatre Conductor: James Feddeck Rossini: The overture to William Tell Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503; Conrad Tao, piano Mendelssohn:…
The Knoxville Mercury Launches
Knoxville’s new alt-weekly, the Knoxville Mercury, has finally arrived! You can find an issue in racks in retail stores, restaurants, and street racks around Knoxville. More distribution rack locations are coming. Please support local, independent journalism by picking up a…
Five Reasons Why the 2015 Big Ears Festival is So Important
The 2015 Big Ears Festival hits downtown Knoxville venues on Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29. If you have already acquired a weekend or day pass for the festival, you undoubtedly already know the importance of Big Ears, not…
Wed/Thurs: KSO Concertmaster Series Features Dvorák Quintet in G
The last KSO Concertmaster Series concert of the season comes this week to the Knoxville Museum of Art in a program featuring the Dvorák String Quintet in G major, Op. 77 as well as a slew of short virtuosic violin pieces…
Sunday: KSO Chamber Orchestra Teases Us With Thoughts of Spring
Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring seems to miraculously capture something of hope and longing, and evokes a yearning for a rebirth and a new beginning in a landscape of pastoral beauty. In truth, though, Copland was merely composing for an as-yet…
Weekend Reviews, Part 2: UT Symphony Pipes Up With Fauré and Saint-Saëns
By Saturday evening, Friday’s treacherous ice-covered snow had turned to cold rain and messy, deep slush. However, the spectre of soggy shoes and dripping overcoats did not persuade the fans of the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra under conductor James Fellenbaum to stay…
