Louise Burton

Latest from this author

Live Jazz at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Embodies ‘The Freedom Principle' Exhibit

In conjunction with the art exhibit 'The Freedom Principle,' the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is presenting an impressive lineup of jazz performances, premieres and multimedia events.
The Next Generation of 3D-Printed Musical Instruments Are Worthy of a Star Trek Movie

It was only a matter of time until some brilliant designers started using the new 3D printing technology to make musical instruments. The science has recently moved beyond creating mere reproductions of existing musical instruments into promising new realms of creativity, sound and design.
But Is It Art? Graphic Scores by John Cage, Cornelius Cardew and Others Are Worthy of the MoMA

Some contemporary composers prefer to use shapes, arrows and other visual symbols to indicate pitch, duration or volume in their music. Many of the graphic scores that result are quite beautiful and resemble works of modern art.
REVIEW: Frederica von Stade is Riveting in ‘A Coffin in Egypt,’ an Opera Strong in Emotional Impact, Yet Lacking in Musical Variety

'A Coffin in Egypt' received its Chicago premiere Saturday night at the Harris Theater, with mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade in the starring role. The new opera by Ricky Ian Gordon is enlivened by von Stade’s emotionally moving portrayal of a woman struggling to deal with her wealthy husband’s infidelity.
Frederica von Stade Uncovers Dark Family Secrets in 'A Coffin in Egypt,' to be Staged by Chicago Opera Theater

Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera 'A Coffin in Egypt,' written for legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, is coming to the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 25, 29 and May 1 and 3. Von Stade will reprise her tour-de-force portrayal of Myrtle Bledsoe, grande dame of Egypt, Texas, in this Chicago Opera Theater production.
Violinist Hilary Hahn Returns to Symphony Center in Chicago, Releases New Album of Concertos by Mozart and Vieuxtemps

Violinist Hilary Hahn will present a solo recital at Symphony Center on April 12, featuring works by Bach, Schumann and Debussy, as well as selections from her Grammy Award-winning album 'In 27 Pieces.' Hahn released her newest album, 'Mozart 5, Vieuxtemps 4 – Violin Concertos,' on March 31.
Stephen Cleobury on the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge—Live in Chicago

Devotees of the English choral tradition can hear the world-famous Choir of King's College performing live at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago on Tuesday, March 24. The concert is part of the Symphony Center Presents (SCP) concert series.
'Mozart in the Jungle' Author Blair Tindall Dishes on the Hit Amazon TV Series--Renewed for 2nd Season

'Mozart in the Jungle,' the hit TV series about love, ambition and jealousy backstage at the symphony, was recently renewed for a second season on Amazon Instant Video. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Tindall about her book, the series, and life after 'Mozart in the Jungle.'
Lyric Opera of Chicago Announces 2015-16 Season, World Premiere of 'Bel Canto'; President and CEO Kenneth Pigott Dies at 71

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2015-16 season will feature nine new-to-Chicago productions, including the long-awaited world premiere of 'Bel Canto,' an opera based on the award-winning 2001 novel by Ann Patchett. Shortly after Lyric announced their upcoming season, Kenneth Pigott, president and CEO of Lyric’s Board of Directors, passed away on February 13.
Have Dogs, Will Travel: Bass-Baritone Luca Pisaroni’s Life on the Operatic Fast Track--with Canine Companions

Wherever in the world Luca Pisaroni goes to sing, he is accompanied by his two dogs, Lenny and Tristan. Currently, the dogs are with him in New York, where he is singing Leporello in the Metropolitan Opera's production of 'Don Giovanni.'
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Announces 2015-16 Season, New Composers-In-Residence

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra recently announced its 125th Anniversary Season, during which the CSO will take a fresh look at some of the works the Orchestra has premiered over the past 125 years. The CSO also announced a renewed focus on the Austro-German orchestral repertoire, from Handel to Mahler, in 2015-16.
Classicalite's Five Best... Artist Pub Shots of 2014

Creating a great publicity photo is a difficult art. And at Classicalite, we see a lot of them, both good and bad. Here is a gallery of the top five publicity shots to have crossed our desks in 2014.
The Castleton Festival Announces 2015 Season, Featuring Premiere of Derrick Wang’s Opera ‘Scalia/Ginsburg’ and Wynton Marsalis’ Summer Jazz Academy

The 2015 season will showcase Castleton’s rising stars alongside world-renowned artists in new productions of Gounod’s 'Roméo et Juliette,' Ravel’s 'L’heure espagnole' (The Spanish Hour), and a world premiere of Derrick Wang’s comic opera 'Scalia/Ginsburg.' Jazz at Lincoln Center, in conjunction with Wynton Marsalis, will host a summer Jazz Academy residency for high school musicians at Castleton.
Singing Comet Is a Mystery to Rosetta Scientists Responsible for Philae Probe Landing

Singing Comet 67p is a mystery to the scientists of the Rosetta mission who successfully landed the Philae probe on the comet’s surface yesterday. The comet is emitting a strange “song” into space, which was first detected by instruments on the Rosetta orbiter several months ago.
Professor Says that J.S. Bach's Wife Wrote Some of His Most Famous Works

Australian professor Martin Jarvis proposes that Anna Magdalena Bach actually wrote the Cello Suites and several other of Bach’s masterpieces.
Organist Cameron Carpenter to Perform Music for Horror Film ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’ at Symphony Center on Halloween

Maverick organist Cameron Carpenter will perform his original macabre score to 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' during a screening of the classic silent film at Symphony Center on Halloween.
Classicalite Q&A with Steven Blier of NYFOS on “Art Song on the Couch: Lieder in Freud’s Vienna”… the Song Recital

New York Festival of Song will present “Art Song on the Couch: Lieder in Freud’s Vienna,” a program of songs by composers who were Sigmund Freud's contemporaries, in New York on November 11 and a preview performance in Boston on November 9.
Fused Muse Ensemble Draws Attention to Environmental Issues Through Music, Dance and Video at Constellation in Chicago

The Fused Muse Ensemble will present “Breaking Ice,” a program of multimedia works that draws attention to climate change, melting icebergs and the fragility of nature, at Constellation in Chicago on October 16-18.
Wayward Sisters and Baroque Era Bad Boys: Music Before 1800 Presents 40th Anniversary Season in New York

Music Before 1800's diverse 40th Anniversary Season will include everything from Anonymous 4 singing music of the Civil War to the Wayward Sisters playing music of 17th century braggarts, hotheads, curmudgeons and snobs.
‘Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park’ Presents Ana María Martínez, Mariusz Kwiecien, Andriana Chuchman and Other Vocal Superstars

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s annual free concert in Millennium Park is a golden opportunity to hear a preview of Lyric’s upcoming season, as well as operatic gems from seasons past. This year’s concert will take place in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on September 6.
Highlights: Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park Features Sun Ra Arkestra, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Terence Blanchard and More

The 2014 Chicago Jazz Festival runs from August 28-31 at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. Headliners include Terence Blanchard, Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Dave Holland, Cécile McLorin Salvant and the Sun Ra Arkestra.
Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers to Release New Album, 'The American Masters,' Featuring Works by Barber, Corigliano and Mason Bates

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers will release 'The American Masters,' featuring works by Samuel Barber, John Corigliano and Mason Bates, on the eOne label on September 30.
Fear Itself: Why Some Classical Musicians Turn to Drugs Like Beta Blockers to Control Stage Fright

Much has been written lately about classical musicians who use drugs like beta blockers to deal with stage fright. Some observers have criticized these musicians for resorting to drugs, but they may not fully understand how performance nerves can affect musicians and alter the outcome of a performance. Horn player Louise Burton offers her experience as a case in point.
eighth blackbird to Present ‘Colombine’s Paradise Theatre,’ a Musical Fantasy on Commedia dell’Arte Themes, at MCA Chicago

Grammy award-winning ensemble eighth blackbird will present their long-awaited production of 'Colombine's Paradise Theatre,' a staged theatrical work by composer Amy Beth Kirsten, at MCA Chicago on September 12.
Washington National Opera to Open 2014-15 Season with ‘Florencia in the Amazon,’ Inspired by Writings of Gabriel García Márquez

Washington National Opera has chosen an unusual American opera as their season opener on September 20: 'Florencia in the Amazon,' by Mexican-American composer Daniel Catán. Soprano Christine Goerke will portray Florencia Grimaldi, a world-famous diva who is returning to her homeland of Brazil for a performance after an absence of 20 years.
REVIEW: Christopher Theofanidis’ ‘The Legend of the Northern Lights’ Is a Wild Ride Through Space and Time

Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the Grant Park Orchestra expertly navigated 'The Legend of the Northern Lights' on Saturday night, bringing a crystal clarity to even the most demanding passages. This outstanding new work by Christopher Theofanidis was also performed at Millennium Park on August 8.
Pianos in the Parks, a Playful Public Art Project in Seattle, Encourages You to Tickle the Ivories

Artist-designed pianos are popping up in public parks throughout Seattle and King County, and people are invited, nay encouraged, to stop and play them. It’s all part of an interactive public art project called Pianos in the Parks.
Lawrence A. Johnson on the American Music Project and Its First Commission: 'Piano Quintet' by Composer Amy Wurtz

I recently spoke with music critic Lawrence A. Johnson about the American Music Project, a nonprofit foundation that supports performances of existing works of American music, while also commissioning new works from American composers.
Metropolitan Opera Delays Lockout of Union Workers by One Week, Agrees to Independent Financial Analysis

The Metropolitan Opera announced last night that it would delay its lockout of union workers by one week, while an independent financial analyst is brought in to assess the state of the Met's finances.
Christopher Theofanidis on ‘The Legend of the Northern Lights' Music and Stunning Video Imagery

'The Legend of the Northern Lights,' an unusual work by Christopher Theofanidis that combines music with stunning imagery of the aurora borealis, will be presented at the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago on August 8 and 9.