Reviews

An esteemed international guitarist tours two continents, then ends his peregrinations with a melancholy, romantic Russian gem.

Helgi Tomasson's Nutcracker at the S.F. Ballet goes straight to a little girl's dreams with amazing design, realism, superb dancers, and the perfect tale to leave audiences enthralled.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s visit, marking the return of the great orchestra after a 15-year absence, offered the Bay Area its first look at Ludovic Morlot. And what a look it was.

A humble and fascinating composer conducts his ambitious new violin concerto, yet declines to take a solo bow.

A noted ensemble turns chamber music, old and new, into an adventure, with near-“purrrfect” results.

Sage artistry and inconsistently appropriate voice for repertoire characterized Karita Mattila’s recital of French, Finnish and German songs Tuesday night at Herbst Theatre.

An adventurous string quartet performs fresh takes on works unfinished by the great classical composers, in a new form of artistic “occupation.”

Although benefitting from the usual excellent performance by eighth blackbird, Rinde Eckert and Steve Mackey’s Slide is still uninvolving.

Bach’s Mass in B Minor receives a magnificent performance from forces of Philharmonia Baroque, with Chorale and soloists.

The title “The Future Is Now” may well prove prophetic for San Francisco Opera Center’s annual Adler Fellows Gala Concert. If the stars are aligned as they should be, no fewer than four of the artists who took to Herbst Theatre’s stage will soon shine brightly as leading artists at premier houses throughout the world.