by Paul E. Robinson

Classical Travels
This Week in Italy
Beethoven’s” Missa Solemnis” has always had a reputation for being monumental and impossibly difficult to perform – especially for the chorus. The difficulty stems in part from the fact that the work dates from late in Beethoven’s life, by which time he was completely deaf and almost [...]

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by Paul E. Robinson

Like many institutions in the state of Texas, the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is more than a little to the right of center – it takes few risks in matters of programming; nonetheless, music director Peter Bay keeps finding ways to energize his concerts and challenge his listeners. The latest example of [...]

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by Paul E. Robinson

Classical Travels
This Week in Italy

“Nach Roma! (To Rome!)”, the pilgrims cry at the end of Act II of Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” as they head off to seek forgiveness from the Pope. Well, they didn’t have far to go in a new production being mounted by the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. In fact, it [...]

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