Reviews

Porgy and Bess at the Golden Gate Theatre is outstanding on every count — musically, dramatically, and especially by the strength of performances from a cast without a weak link.

San Francisco Opera’s new production of Barber of Seville is a winner from top to bottom.

Joyce Yang joins the Alexander String Quartet in a commanding, passionate recital at Kohl Mansion.

It doesn’t get much better than hearing Michael Tilson Thomas’s S.F. Symphony play a Copland masterpiece, not to mention other works being prepped for a brief tour.

Masterworks Chorale made a stunning success of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, with the choir leading the way.

The Sixth International Body Music Festival moved its sonic rhythm party from Oakland to S.F., as its energetic performers tapped, swished, and Velcroed their way across a SFJAZZ Center stage to an enthusiastic audience.

Oakland East Bay Symphony, with Canadian soprano Othalie Graham, gave a stirring account of Wagner’s Immolation Scene, in a season opener that aimed high.

Taking its inspiration from Italian Baroque music published in London, the string band Archetti serves up balanced, intriguing fare.

Not up to speed on chip-music yet? Brooklyn-based Yarn/Wire ensemble gave Sacramento new music audiences an intro course, via Tristan Perich’s Chalk.

A new CD from Kevin Puts features extremely interesting and inventive choral writing, but save the liner notes for after your first listen.