Bay Area summer music festivals

Summer fun 2009 The Bay Area has grown in stature as its festivals have not only thrived but also multiplied in defiance of a scarcity of donation dollars. And this summer may reach a high-tide mark. Santa Cruz’ Cabrillo Music Festival is the Mecca for those seeking cutting-edge orchestral music, with five full programs over two weekends in August. They will have ten composers-in-residence from around the world, and are planning multiple West Coast and...

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Saariaho’s ‘L’amour de loin’ at the English National Opera

Love Across Time Last week, in London’s Coliseum, which is the early 20th-century English interpretation of a Roman theatrical arena, quaint with SPQR decorations and patriarchal busts amid red velvet Victorian luxuries and dark wood, I was fortunate to see the English National Opera’s performance of composer Kaija Saariaho’s opera L’Amour de Loin (Love from Afar). ENO has contemporary productions to die for. It’s always great to see new opera, not...

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