A performing arts blog and occasional podcast of CD reviews, news and interviews from the world of stage, screen, cabaret, classical music, and related places.noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)Fri, 27 Feb 2026 05:28:26 -0600Blogger http://www.blogger.com2866125http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/en-usnomusical,theatre,,theatre,,cabarert,,film,music,,soundtracksA podcast of CD reviews, news and interviews from the worlds of stage, screen and cabaret.A podcast of CD reviews, news and interviews from the worlds of stage, screen and cabaret.Chuck Lavazzinoreply@blogger.comChuck Lavazzihttp://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2026/01/symphony-preview-cold-cuts.htmlclassical preview classical concert shengcontemporary classicalSt. Louis Symphony OrchestraWed, 21 Jan 2026 17:18:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-8899357643474664828Our old friend the polar vortex is paying the Midwest a visit the weekend of January 24th with snow and single-digit lows. So it seems only appropriate that the St. Louis Symphyony Orchestra concerts this Saturday and Sunday bring us music from a couple of fairly frosty countries: Finland and Russia.Lotta Wennäkoski. Photo by Maarit KytöharjuFinnish conductor Dima Slobodeniouk will 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2026/01/symphony-review-celebrating-music-in.htmlballetclassical musicclassical reviewSt. Louis Dance TheatreSt. Louis Symphony OrchestraMon, 19 Jan 2026 16:43:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-2149139051334793105The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concert last Saturday night (January 10) was the third collaboration between Music Director Stéphane Denève and local dancer/choreographer Kervin Douthit-Boyd, the Artistic Director of St. Louis Dance Theatre (STLDT). Formerly the Big Muddy Dance Company, STLDT has been widely praised here and has forged strong relationships with not only the SLSO but many other 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2026/01/symphyony-preview-light-fantastic.htmlballetclassical musicclassical concertSt. Louis Dance TheatreSt. Louis Symphony OrchestraSun, 11 Jan 2026 15:27:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-4258949907949057159This Saturday and Sunday, January 10 and 11, Stéphane Denève leads the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in what the web site describes as “a program that celebrates powerful partnerships between dance and music.” A good summary, that, given that three of the four works on the program are actual ballets and the fourth eventually became the basis for a ballet by Jerome Robbins, albeit over three 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2026/01/symphony-review-old-friends-on-new.htmlclassical musicclassical reviewKatie MahanSt. Louis Symphony OrchestraStéphane DenèveMon, 5 Jan 2026 21:37:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-4559683789235192014Few things are more pleasurable than welcoming in the new year with old friends, both material and musical. That’s what we did on Wednesday,  December 31, at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, with Music Director Stéphane Denève at the podium. The experience more than lived up to expectations.Stéphane Denève and the SLSOThe 2025 NYE concert was the first 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/12/review-bach-society-illuminates-sounds.htmlbach society of st. louischristmas candelight concertChristmas concertchristmas musicMon, 29 Dec 2025 13:29:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-8552621027711547270In real estate, we are told, location is everything. During the Bach Society’s annual Christmas Candlelight Concert at Powell Hall on December 23rd, it occurred to me that the same can often be true of a performing arts event. Some seats are better than others, especially when there’s a strong visual component to the performance.The Bach Society at Powell HallThat’s not usually a major issue for 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/12/symphony-review-scintillating-messiah.htmlTue, 16 Dec 2025 19:42:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-713941938258029629Last Friday (December 12) Nicholas McGegan—a familiar visitor to our fair city over the past four decades—conducted the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the 1742 oratorio Messiah by George Frideric Handel (1685–1759). It was an opportunity to, as both the libretto and Zacariah 9:9 say, “rejoice greatly.”“Handel was a dramatist of genius,” says McGegan in the program notes, “and I like 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/12/symphony-preview-december-12-14-messiah.htmlTue, 9 Dec 2025 18:08:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-4087057645961703897This weekend (December 12–14) British conductor and Handel expert Nicholas McGegan leads the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Handel's popular 1742 oratorio "Messiah." In doing so at Christmastime, he's following a tradition over two centuries old. The origin of that tradition is the first of our three "Messiah Mysteries." 1. The Adventure of the Mobile MessiahGeorge0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/12/symphony-review-cellist-kian-soltani.htmlMon, 8 Dec 2025 19:54:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-5025069216504466947I rarely take time during intermission at a St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) concert to fire off a post on Facebook, but  last night’s (December 6) was a notable exception. With guest conductor John Storgårds at the podium, the local debut of Austrian cellist Kian Soltani in the Cello Concerto in C major, Hob. VIIb:1 by Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) was a dazzler.Cellist Kian SoltaniSoltani, 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/12/symphony-preview-december-5-and-6.htmlWed, 3 Dec 2025 19:57:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-686836023771539131This weekend (December 5 and 6), the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) concerts will have a familiar face at the podium and a brand new one in the solo spot. John Storgårds, a frequent guest at Powell Hall (his most recent appearance was last April), conducts the orchestra in music by Dimitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) and the local premiere of music by Clara Schumann (1819–1896). Cellist Kian 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/12/symphony-review-joy-of-beethoven-with.htmlTue, 2 Dec 2025 20:48:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-8269627881573903187“Zoom, zoom, zoom zoom / The world is in a mess,” sings Fred Astaire in the 1937 film Shall We Dance?:With politics and taxes And people grinding axes There’s no happiness.Kevin John EduseiPhoto: Marco BorggreveThe remedy (and the title of that Irving Berlin classic) is to “Slap That Bass.” If Berlin were still with us, he I think he might concede that next best thing was the St. Louis 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/11/symphony-preview-november-29-and-30.htmlWed, 26 Nov 2025 20:57:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-661592377680418348This weekend (November 29 and 30) conductor Kevin John Edusei makes his St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) debut in a toe-tapping evening of music by Bela Bartók (1881––1945), Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943), and Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827). Let’s put on our dancing shoes and find out more. Béla Bartók using a phonograph to record Slovak folk songs sung bypeasants in Zobordarázs from 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/11/symphony-review-brilliantly-conceived.htmlTue, 25 Nov 2025 21:15:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-6621995955039004006The catchy title for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) concerts this past weekend (November 21 and 22) was “Flame and Fantasy”—very appropriate as a description of the sheer perfection that permeated every aspect of the complete performance of Igor Stravinsky’s (1882–1971) ballet L'Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) that took up the second half of the program.Stéphane Denève conducts the 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/07/opera-review-avalanche-of-sight-gags.htmlcomic operaopera buffaopera reviewopera theatre of st. louisFri, 11 Jul 2025 18:16:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-4212900061477812132The actual opera recedes into the background. Susanne Burgess and the company. Photo by Eric Woolsey As part of its 50th Festival Season, Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) has elected to return to a classic opera buffa that was part of its very first season in 1976: Donizetti’s 1843 hit Don Pasquale. Returning as well is the director of the first production, Christopher Alden. That first Don 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/06/opera-review-this-house-has-great-bones.htmlopera reviewopera theatre of st. louisworld premiereSat, 7 Jun 2025 18:00:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-7109264477228267290Composer Ricky Ian Gordon, along with librettists Ruby Aiyo Gerber and Lynn Nottage, deliver a gripping multi-generation family drama. L-R: Briana Hunter, Brad Bickhardt. Photo by Eric Woolsey. The Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) production of This House is composer Ricky Ian Gordon’s third world premiere at company, and as far as I’m concerned, his third hit. With a libretto by renowned 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/05/opera-review-frenetic-fledermaus-opens.htmlopera reviewopera theatre of st. louisoperettaTue, 27 May 2025 21:47:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-7602504684109671659Season 50 opens fast and furiousDeanna Breiwick in “Adele’s Laughing Song.”  Photo: Eric Woolsey Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) has opened its 50th anniversary season with Johann Strauss the Second’s 1874 comic operetta Die Fledermaus. Previously presented by the company in 1983 as an off-season show at the late, lamented American Theatre and then as a touring production in 1989, Die 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/05/video-feeling-festive-with-tim-schall.htmlcabaretCabaret Project St. LouisSun, 18 May 2025 21:44:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-7329460221107434068 The Cabaret Project STL's Summer Fest 2025 is coming your way the first week in June.My chat with singer, actor, teacher, and Artistic and Executive Director of The Cabaret Project of St. Louis, Tim Schall.We talk about the 2025 St. Louis Summer Fest, five nights of cabaret performances at Jazz St. Louis and the Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge. Performers include Tony Award-winning 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/06/st-louis-theatre-calendar-for-week-of.htmlSun, 18 May 2025 16:05:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-4539187051615665457What's on St. Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out Act Two Theatre presents the comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through May 25. “Vanya and Sonia have spent their lives in quiet sacrifice, caring for their family’s farmhouse while their glamorous sister,0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/05/video-thats-spirit.htmlclassical musicmissouri chamber music festivalvideo interviewMon, 12 May 2025 21:40:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-9048128408641270954The 15th Missouri Chamber Music Festival is all about the spirit that moves us  On Chuck’s Culture Channel, it’s a chat about musical spirit with pianist Nina Ferrigno, a founding member of the Calyx Piano Trio and the director of the Missouri Chamber Music Festival. This June marks the 15th anniversary of the festival with four, count ‘em four, concerts at different venues in the St. Louis 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/05/st-louis-theatre-calendar-for-week-of_11.htmlst. louis theater calendarst. louis theatre calendarSun, 11 May 2025 17:00:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-1136032283082931252What's on St. Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out Act Two Theatre presents the comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm May 15 through 25. “Vanya and Sonia have spent their lives in quiet sacrifice, caring for their family’s farmhouse while their glamorous 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/05/symphony-review-peerless-peer-gynt.htmlpeer gyntSt. Louis Symphony Orchestrasymphony reviewSun, 11 May 2025 16:33:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-4689025898308141008L-R: Caleb Mayo, Marya Lowry, Robert Walsh. Photo by Tyler Small courtesy of the SLSO.Last Saturday and Sunday (May 3 and 4), Stéphane Denève conducted the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus along with a brace of guest performers in the Concert Theatre Works production of Henrik Ibsen’s 1876 epic play/poem Peer Gynt. It was a big, entertaining, crowd-pleaser—words one wouldn’t typically 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/05/symphony-preview-may-4-5-incidentally.htmlSt. Louis Symphony Orchestrasymphony previewMon, 5 May 2025 21:11:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-3115941365631154503Peer GyntPhoto:: Robert Torres This weekend, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) Music Director Stéphane Denève returns to conduct the orchestra, chorus, and soloists in the final concert of the season. There’s only one thing on the program: a rewritten serio-comic version of Henrik Ibsen’s 1876 epic play/poem “Peer Gynt” by writer/actor/director Bill Barclay using the original music by Edvard 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/05/st-louis-theatre-calendar-for-week-of.htmlst. louis theater calendarst. louis theatre calendarMon, 5 May 2025 20:48:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-1131654131670682574What's on St. Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out The cast of Jacques Brel: The Impossible DreamThe Blue Strawberry presents Jacques Brel: The Impossible Dream, A Cabaret - Theater Show in French and English on Monday, May 5, at 7:00 pm. Designed and Directed by André Nerman, the show features André Nerman as Jacques Brel0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/04/st-louis-theatre-calendar-for-week-of_13.htmlSt. Louis theater caledarst. louis theatre calendarSun, 13 Apr 2025 21:39:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-3296683564367551184What's on St. Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out First Run Theatre Playwright’s Workshop presents An Evening of One-Acts on Monday, April 14, at 6:30 pm. The plays are Anna and Cody by Jason Sibert, Insight by Glenn Kerfoot, and Micha by Guy Selbert. The readings take place at Square One Brewery and Distillery in 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/04/symphony-preview-big-time.htmlThu, 10 Apr 2025 22:06:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-5357449340475435910This weekend, April 11–13, popular guest conductor John Storgårds leads the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) and violinist Francesca Dego in a pair of big works by big names in the world of late 19th/early 20th century music. Lemminkäinen and the Fiery Eagle by Robert Wilhelm Ekman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons The concerts open with the Violin Concerto, Op. 77, by Johannes 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)http://stageleft-stlouis.blogspot.com/2025/04/st-louis-theatre-calendar-for-week-of.htmlst. louis theater calendarst. louis theatre calendarThu, 10 Apr 2025 21:31:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30600205.post-7407718885470308692What's on St. Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out Meghan KirkThe Blue Strawberry presents Once Upon a Song with singer Meghan Kirk and pianist/music director Ron McGowan on Sunday April 13 at 6 pm. “Step into a world of melody and memory as Meghan Kirk revisits the songs that have been part of her life for the last 20 0noreply@blogger.com (Chuck Lavazzi)