For the MSO opener, a masked ball
Not your usual opening night. Small crowd. No mingling. No buzz. Except insofar as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under Bernard Labadie proved itself equal on…
Arthur Kaptainis
Arthur Kaptainis
Arthur Kaptainis has been a classical music critic since 1986. His articles have appeared in Classical Voice North America and La Scena Musicale as well as Musical Toronto. Arthur holds an MA in musicology from the University of Toronto. From 2019-2021, Arthur was co-editor of La Scena Musicale.
From this author
Ladies’ Morning Musical Club forges ahead
The Ladies’ Morning Musical Club will open its 129th season on Sept. 13 before the smallest crowd the organization has ever welcomed in Pollack Hall. The…
The COC after Neef: Let the rebuilding begin
It is official. Alexander Neef, general director of the Canadian Opera Company, will take the reins of the Paris Opera in September, a year ahead…
MSO announces live fall lineup
The number 19 is a coincidence. Months after COVID-19 put public arts programming on hold, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra will perform 19 concerts for a…
Kent Nagano in Montreal: A look back, and forward
Some might choose Les Glorieux, a tribute to the Montreal Canadiens. In which Kent Nagano donned a jersey numbered “1.” Or Symphonie montréalaise, a multi-media celebration of…
Jacques Lacombe and the MSO are ready for liftoff
“In my normal life I spend my time either in front of an orchestra or at an airport,” Jacques Lacombe said Tuesday, recounting an observation…
Yannick and OM put spotlight on Beethoven — and Montreal
The familiar setting is Bourgie Hall, festooned with microphones, lamps, music stands and cleared of audience chairs. Yannick Nézet-Séguin stands on a podium near the…
Choral singing: a long road back
It was a shocker in an age of shocking stories. Fifty-five members of the Skagit Valley Chorale in Mount Vernon, Washington, met at the local Presbyterian church on…
Dang Thai Son: Moving On, Staying Put
Like all performing artists, Dang Thai Son has modified his schedule to adapt to the ravages of COVID-19. The benefit concert he was to give…
Ladies stay the course for 129th Season
Only good news from the Ladies’ Morning Musical Club,” Constance Pathy, president of the venerable organization, said at the formal launch of the 2020-21 season.…
