Author Archives: Robert Bondurant
Sexy Butterflies Dig Jazz…Music In Time IV
Director Kennedy’s first action on stage this evening was to unbutton his shirt, revealing a t-shirt bearing 4′33” in bold black just below John Cage’s name. “I’ve guess we’ve got time for the first…,” he quipped to the appreciative audience, looking at his watch. The crowd laughed, and a light tone was struck that permeated [...]
The Well-Tampered Accordion…a great squeeze…
Music in Time’s offering this evening presented a delightfully rich and consistently excellent program of compositions from composer/accordionist Guy Klucevsek, performed by the composer. Director Kennedy’s introductory remarks to the packed auditorium culminated with the assertion that Mr. Klucevsek’s work is “expanding what ‘post-classical’ music can be.” Given the amazingly wide range of composers and [...]
Amahl, Great Joy with a Little Frustration
Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic Christmas tale, Amahl and the Night Visitors, captured the hearts of Americans in the 1950’s and sent thousands of television viewers on their first foray into the seemingly erudite realm of opera. Indeed, it can claim the distinction of being the first work of this nature specifically composed for the small [...]
Sneak Peek of the Charleston Virtuosi
I just got in from Amahl and the Night Visitors, my first opera this season. Opera is Piccolo’s theme this year, and the outreach concerts of the Opera is for Everyone Series lives up to its name. I need to get to my review of Amahl, but thought I’d hit the blog and drop an [...]
Pictures Of Change…poetry in Dock Street’s courtyard
Poet, Jerri Chaplin
While this festival season offers several tributes to departed members of the Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto communities, one began this evening that touches the core of our dear festivals. Carol Furtwangler and Ellen Dressler Moryl unveiled the Sundown Poetry Series, dedicated to the memory of Alice Cabaniss Banks. Ellen Dressler Moryl read a [...]
Chamber Music II - More Heat at Dock Street!
Caveat Emptor! This performance was so delightfully full of multiple eargasms that well, I lost count…
Chamber Music II hit the stage early this afternoon, and from the twinkle in Charles Wadsworth’s eye, the audience knew that something special was afoot. The Chamber Music series is celebrating the 100th anniversary of The MacDowell Colony, a wonderful [...]
Songs for a Summer Night…well, evening…
The Festival Singers of Atlanta under the very capable direction of Jane Burke presented “Songs for a Summer Night,” at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church early this evening. Marred only by one restart (and one cell phone…), this program provided an eclectic mix of a cappella treats from Renaissance and 20th Century masters.
Kicking off quite promptly [...]
The Piccolo Prowler…
Greetings to all! Robert Bondurant here, but as Lindsay seems to have aptly described my accepted mission this festival season, henceforth I am the Piccolo Prowler. I’ll be stealing through the side streets and back alleys of our fair city to bring you the scoop on Piccolo Spoleto 2007. And I am dearly looking forward [...]
A Beautiful, Blustery Day and an Amahl Correction
Yesterday’s wet weather did nothing to dampen the fire of either performance I was fortunate to attend. Full reviews of the St. Petersberg String Quartet at Mepkin Abbey and the first concert by Tacy Edwards’ Charleston Virtuosi will be in your paws shortly, but for now suffice it to say that both left a huge [...]