Arts on the Town

Arizona Opera artistic director Joel Revson talks about Mozart, Don Giovanni, and his company’s 2009-2010 season.

Joel Revson on Don Giovanni

The best small classical ensemble on earth, according to the Grammy Awards, is the Phoenix Chorale, formerly the Phoenix Bach Choir. Our L.A. correspondent Diane Daou reported live from the Grammys during our show of Feb. 8. Listen to her report the excitement!

The Grammy report, pt. 1

The Grammy report, pt. 2

Conductor Joseph Rescigno, in Phoenix recently to lead Arizona Opera’s Elixir of Love, shares his thoughts about opera, singers, and the great opera composers.

Joseph Rescigno, pt. 1

Joseph Rescigno, pt. 2

Caio Pagano is a pianist of international repute, and a devoted resident of our Valley. Recently, Caio talked about the piano, music, and becoming a citizen of the United States.

Pianist Caio Pagano

Since its start 50 years ago, the Phoenix Chorale (formerly the Phoenix Bach Choir) has risen from community group to one of the globe’s best-regarded choral organizations. Proof: Arizona’s only professional choir is nominated for four Grammies, including Best Classical Album, and it will be the first a capella choir to sing in New York’s newly refurbished Alice Tully Hall, March 16. You can stream the Grammies this Sunday, Feb. 8, to see if our hometown choir’s an international winner, but before you do, take a moment to listen to the choir’s executive director, tenor Joel Rinsema, wax eloquent about his life’s passion.

The Phoenix Chorale in L.A., New York

The newly named executive director of the Symphony of the Southwest, Alycia de Mesa, talks about the group’s transition from its original brand, The Mesa Symphony.

Mesa Symphony is now “Symphony of the Southwest”

Puppeteer Basil Twist joins The Phoenix Symphony this week for a Stravinsky favorite, “Petrouchka.” The 1911 original used dancers to portray puppets. Twist will portray the puppets with…puppets.

Puppeteer Basil Twist and “Petrouchka”

Pianist Jeffrey Siegel talks about his popular “Keyboard Conversations” series at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and about his program this month focusing on Beethoven.

Jeffrey Siegel’s “Keyboard Conversations”

The Phoenix Chorale – formerly known as the Phoenix Bach Choir – starts its 50th anniversary season with a “retro” concert and a new CD. Artistic director Charles Bruffy talks about the choir’s history, its progress, and the coming season.

(Note: Pt. 1 of the interview with Charles Bruffy opens with general comments from Susan and Ken; the interview proper begins at about 3 minutes in.)

Phoenix Chorale’s Charles Bruffy, Pt. 1

Phoenix Chorale’s Charles Bruffy, Pt. 2

Leonard Bernstein once said he liked conducting opera because “more things could go wrong.” Richard Buckley, who conducts “Rigoletto” for Arizona Opera this week (Oct. 16-19, 2008), talks about things that can go wrong – and right – from the pit of an opera production.
Richard Buckley conducts “Rigoletto” for Arizona Opera