Writing
New York, NY
An exciting opening week at the Met Opera and a La bohème to match
Freddie De Tommaso to the rescue when the scheduled Rodolfo falls ill.
New York, NY
Kramer opera fails to conjure Yeats mystery effectively at Fordham
Compelling vocal and instrumental writing alone doesn't make an opera.
New York, NY
Lombardi and Hankey lift the musical values in Met’s frenetic Coney Island “Così”
Nimrod David Pfeffer leads graceful and certain performance.
New York, NY
Met opens season with impassioned vocalism in an atmospheric “Macbeth”
Kelsey commands the stage with a Macbeth of mounting terror, guilt and defiance.
New York, NY
ACO opens season in style with dramatic Haydn, bumptious Beethoven
Teacher and pupil meet at the threshold of a new musical era.
New York, NY
A countertenor without limits: Carlo Vistoli in recital at the Park Avenue Armory
A return to tradition with countertenor’s North American recital debut.
New York, NY
The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra’s Verdi’s Requiem resounds with terror, beauty and hope
From the terrifying Dies irae to the hushed Libera me, Wilson reveals the full expressive range of Verdi’s score.
New York, NY
Radiance, rhythmic fire and resilience from the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra
A distinctive musical voice emerges from an orchestra united by artistry, heritage and purpose.
Great Barrington, MA
Calvinist austerity and bel canto passion in Berkshire Opera Festival’s 'Lucia di Lammermoor'
Vocal and instrumental color illuminate Donizetti’s tragedy.
New York, NY
Beyond their years: an extraordinary Carnegie Hall performance by NYO-USA
Kirill Gerstein brings jazz soul and classical elegance to Gershwin.
About
I got the travel bug from my parents. As a boy I had crisscrossed the US with them and my younger brother on the classic American Road Trip to California. At 16, I went to Europe for the first time. The destination was Germany, a country that I have returned to many times. In addition to business and personal travel, I have lived in Switzerland, Singapore and China.
A musician for most of my life, first a trumpet player and then a singer, I have a degree in music from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2013, A career in law and the insurance industry came next. I began reviewing for Seen and Heard International in 2023, which pointed me in an entirely new direction. In addition to Seen and Heard International, my music and travel articles have been published in the New York Classical Review, Classical Voice North America, Operwire, MusicWeb International, Global Times, and the Shanghai Daily. I also combine my interests in music and travel in personally curated tours in Europe and Asia.